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News
For Immediate Release
23 September 2008, Gloucester, MA
CONTACT: Paul Boudreau, Race Director,
978.335.3513
URL: www.gpgloucester.com
KEYWORDS: Gloucester, cyclocross, cross, ecv cross, Essex County Velo, ECV,
cycling, bike, North Shore, Northshore, studs on bikes, Essex Velo, Essex, velo, cyclo-cross, cyclo-x,
SuperCup, Super Cup, Tim Johnson, Gloucester Gran Prix,
Pro Cycling, Things to do, Happenings, Erdinger, Addison Gilbert Hospital,
Mavic, cyclocrossworld.com
ERDINGER GRAN PRIX OF GLOUCESTER – 10th ANNIVERSARY
Presented by Addison Gilbert Hospital
Powered by Acquila
Negotiating
sharp turns, mud, sprints uphill and down, and hurdles at full speed for a
solid hour - all on a bike - it’s physically demanding, it’s challenging, it’s humbling…
it is CYCLOCROSS!
![Text Box: AT A GLANCE ¬ WHAT 2008 Gran Prix of Gloucester 10th Anniversary Cyclocross WHEN Sat & Sun, Oct. 11 & 12 First race: 9am, Last: race: 3:30pm WHERE Stage Fort Park [MAP] URL www.gpgloucester.com](files/PressRelease.GGP.9.23.08_files/image002.gif)
WORLD-CLASS
CYCLING IN OCTOBER
Join
us on Saturday and Sunday, October 11th and 12th for the
2008 Erdinger Gran Prix of Gloucester and see for yourself why riders and fans
alike are so enthusiastic about cyclocross.
Olympic, professional and amateur cyclists from the US, Canada and
Europe will gather on Cape Ann for the 2008 Gran Prix of Gloucester. This race
is one of the most highly anticipated races of the cyclocross season, and for
good reason. The Gran Prix is a premier event in The North
American Cyclocross Trophy national series – www.nacyclocross.com. It anchors the
most prestigious regional series in the US - the Verge New England Cyclocross
Championship – www.cycle-smart.com/neccs.
Making this year’s race even more exciting
will be the commentary of Beverly resident and Olympian, Lyne
Bessette. Known as one of the premier competitors in international cycling. Lyne
has recently returned from the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing where she
delivered the cycling commentary for Canadian TV.
A GREAT FALL WEEKEND FOR FAMILY AND
FRIENDS!
Few places are more beautiful than Stage Fort
Park in Gloucester, MA, and there’s no better place to enjoy world-class
cycling on a crisp, New England fall afternoon. The race course
overlooks Gloucester Harbor,
where race fans of all ages can enjoy the picturesque views and refreshing salt
air of a seaside park. Visitors can tour the expo area with food from local
merchants and booths by cycling organizations. Friends and families will enjoy
the picnic area complete with barbeque grills and a playground for the kids.
There’s plenty of parking, but why not hop on the train with your bike and
enjoy a scenic ride yourself? More information about Stage Fort Park and how to
get there is available at the Visitor Information Center or online at http://www.essexheritage.org/sites/stage_fort_park.shtml or www.gpgloucester.com.
COME CELEBRATE
THE 10th ANNIVERSARY
The
Gran Prix of Gloucester returns to Cape Ann for its 10th anniversary. This year’s Gran Prix of Gloucester is proudly sponsored by Erdinger (and
presented by Addison Gilbert Hospital). Race fans are invited to the Erdinger
Beer Garden to sample the Hefe-Weizen and Oktoberfest beers as well
as Erdinger non-alcohlic. The Erdinger Beer Garden doors will welcome race
fans from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM both race days. Only our over
21 guests may enter, so please bring an ID.
At Erdinger, the world's largest wheat beer
brewery, tradition and progress go hand in hand. Their beer is brewed according
to traditional recipes, but using state-of-the-art technology. Today, beer
connoisseurs around the world regard our traditional specialty beers from
Erding, Bavaria, as the ultimate in wheat beer enjoyment. For additional information, please visit: www.erdinger.com or our U.S. distributor,
Distinguished Brands www.distinguished-brands.com
Looking
for a drink or bite to eat while at he race? The Expo area will feature cycling
companies and local Gloucester businesses offering a variety of food and drink
to satisfy every appetite.
WHEN TO GO
The
first race of the day starts at 9am on both Saturday and Sunday. Races continue
throughout the day. Both days finish with Elite Class races at 2:30 and 3:30. [RACE
SCHEDULE]
The
Kid’s Race is on Sunday at 2:00 PM. Registration is FREE for up and coming
racers from ages 5 to 12. Register the day of the race, but be at the race at
least 45 minutes before start time.
The
Expo is open both days during race hours. The Erdinger Beer Garden opens at
Noon and is open until 6pm on both Saturday and Sunday.
GETTING THERE:
Train: Newburyport/Rockport
Line [MBTA]. Stage Fort Park is a quick 1.3 mile ride or walk.
Car: From Boston: Rt 93 North to 128 North, exit 14 (Rt 133) Take
a right off exit onto 133 East. Follow signs to
Gloucester
Welcome Center/Stage Fort Park. Stay on 133 for about 2.8 miles. Turn right at
Kent Circle
and
go through stop signs. The race is about 50 yards past the stop signs on the
left.
From Points North: Take Rt 93 South to 128 North - follow as above.
From Points West: Take Mass Pike East to 128 North - follow as
above.
WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CYCLOCROSS?
YouTube keywords: Cyclocross, Gloucester, Tim Johnson, Lyne Bessette
Pure Sweet Hell
"Cyclocross Film" (Three Minute Trailer)
U.S. Elite National Cyclocross
Championships (featuring Gloucester native, Tim Johnson)
Lyne Bessette Interview -
2007 'Cross Nationals (Featuring Olympian Lyne Bessette from Beverly)
WHO TO CONTACT
Race Director: Paul Boudreau, paul@gpgloucester.com, 978.335.3513
Volunteer Coordinator, Jeff Gray, jeff@gpgloucester
RACE INFORMATION
GRAN PRIX OF GLOUCESTER – THEN AND NOW
Host club ECV has a strong cross tradition influenced by Stu Thorne who had been racing cross
in the 80's with the likes of Paul Curley and Tom Stevens. ECV cross practice sessions have been going on annually since
about 1996. After tossing around the idea of a cross race at Stage Fort Park
for about two years, ECV got the City of Gloucester's blessing and decided to
hold the race in early October.
On 16 October 1999, the first edition of the Gloucester
ECV Cyclocross Race was held on a bright, warm day with blustery winds. Two
hundred and twenty-two racers competed with local favorite Tim Johnson taking
the elite men's race over second place Tobias Nestle of Germany. Jen Dial won
the women's event.
Fast forward to
2008… over 650 racers are expected
on each day of the Gran Prix. Attendance continues to grow as the reputation of
the events spreads throughout Cape Ann, New England, and North America.
TOP INTERNATIONAL, US, AND LOCAL COMPETITORS
Tim Johnson, Beverly MA –
Current US National Champion
Ryan Trebon, Bend, OR - Former
National Champ
Jeremy Powers, 2007 Gran Prix of
Gloucester Champion
Jesse Anthony, Beverly, MA - US
National Champion, multiple years.
2008 / 10TH ANNIVERSARY SPONSORS
Title Sponsor
Erdinger
www.erdinger.com
www.distinguished-brands.com
Erdinger
is pleased to serve Hefe-Weizen, Oktoberfest, and Erdinger Alcohol Free
at
the 2008 Gran Prix of Gloucester. Please drink responsibly.
Presenting Sponsor and
Powered by
Key Sponsors Mavic,
Louis Garneau, cyclocrossworld.com, Seaside Cycles,
Bay
Road Bikes, Riverside Cycles, Harborside Cycle
ABOUT ESSEX COUNTY VELO – www.ecvcycling.com
Essex County
Velo is a nonprofit, volunteer organization whose mission is to enhance the
opportunities for members to enjoy the numerous benefits derived from the simple,
youthful act of riding a bike. Our membership and alumni covers a broad range
of the cycling community and interests. Some ECV members are avid and committed
competitors, from junior to masters levels that represent the “blue and white”
as members of teams and individually, in events around the region. Essex County
Velo is also about enjoying the abundance of scenic roads, wooded trails and
seaside vistas with a fun and supportive group of riders that promote safe and
courteous cycling. [END]
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23 September 2008
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