Press Release - Women's Prestige Cycling Series

[administrator]

NEW YORK , NY (January 22, 2004)-- The Women’s Prestige Cycling Series will put the spotlight on women’s racing at leading venues across North America. The concept and planning for the Series began at the Yoplait Women’s Cycling Summit Conference held during the 2003 Interbike trade show. At the Summit, an overwhelming number of women’s team managers and riders requested that promoters develop a race series that included most of the top women’s races.

In its inaugural year, the Series will include four stage races:

March 24-28 Redlands Bicycle Classic, California
June 9-13 Nature Valley Grand Prix, Minnesota
July 26-August 5 The International (Tour de ‘Toona), Pennsylvania
September 23-26 CD&P Bermuda Grand Prix, Bermuda

The Series is a produced as a partnership between women’s teams and the event promoters with the goal of building awareness of women’s racing. In addition to great racing, the series seeks to increase media exposure of women’s cycling. The series organizers will execute aggressive media relations with print and broadcast outlets about the series, events, teams and athletes participating and the benefits of cycling in general.

“Women’s racing is almost always in the shadow of the men’s events when they have to share the same spotlight”, said Giana Roberge of Team Speed Queen. “The Women’s Prestige Cycling Series is an outstanding opportunity to give the women the attention that they deserve. These women are amazing athletes and the series will help educate the public as to just how exciting women’s racing – or just riding a bike - can be.”

“I’ve been amazed by the energy of the women’s racing at our event”, said Nature Valley Grand Prix director David LaPorte. “We have some very tough courses and we had more women finish then men. This series will raise the level of our women’s racing even further and we’re thrilled to be part of it.”

The series is receiving overwhelming support from the women’s teams. Before the series was even officially announced, there were 15 teams that were ready to commit to participating in the full series. The teams that have already committed include the Quark Cycling Team, the Genesis Scuba Cycling Team, Team Basis, the Victory Brewing Cycling Team, Velo Bella, the TDS-Schwalbe High Speed Wells Fargo/Bicycle World USA, Team, Red 5 Racing, Athletes By Design, Team Kenda Tire, the Webcor Cycling Team, the Worlddiff.com Cycling Team, the Verizon Wireless-Wheelworks Cycling Team, 9th & 9th – SLC Women, America’s Dairyland Squad, and the Aquafina Cycling Team.

In addition to prize money and bragging rights, the teams are competing for a trip to the series finale: the CD&P Bermuda Grand Prix. The top 10 teams following The International will receive free airfare and housing for an event that takes place at one of the most desirable vacation spots in the World. But this will be no vacation for the teams, since the hunt for the series title is expected to come down to the wire.

More information can be found in the Women’s Prestige Cycling Series page of www.WomenCyclists.com To arrange interviews with any of the race promoters or team managers, please contact Julie Upton.

Contact: Julie Upton (212) 749-7971
jupton@ix.netcom.com
For Immediate Release
Photos Available

[Irulan]

what no mountain biking? They could at least plan on covering the women's races at one of the NORBA national venues.

Irulan