Gran Prix of Gloucester Announces CRAFT Sportswear and Ipswich Ale Brewing as New Sponsors. SRAM Continues Support as Technical Sponsor.

FOR RELEASE 3 SEPTEMBER 2015

The Gran Prix of Gloucester is pleased to partner with CRAFT Sportswear as title sponsor and Ipswich Ale Brewing as presenting sponsor of the 2015 event. SRAM returns this year as Technical Sponsor for the race. These exciting partnerships reflect the Gran Prix of Gloucester’s longstanding connection with cycling brands as well as area businesses. The event’s appeal is broad and far-reaching as evidenced by the throngs of participants and spectators that journey to scenic Stage Fort Park every year to watch a weekend of world-class racing.

CRAFT Sportswear, a Swedish apparel manufacturer with U.S. operations based in Beverly, MA, offers custom cycling wear trusted by many road and cyclocross teams. According to Eric Schenker, CEO of CRAFT Sportswear, the partnership with this classic New England race is a logical one.

“We are thrilled to become the title sponsor of the Gran Prix of Gloucester,” says Schenker. “CRAFT Sportswear and cyclocross is a match made in heaven with our core products like Baselayer, Winter Gear and Custom Cycling apparel. We’re so fortunate to have such an iconic and prestigious race in our backyard and having partnered with the event for a number of years, it’s frankly about time we took this next step! This is our first major cycling event sponsorship in the United States and will be a great addition to our other cycling sponsorships with pro teams like  ORICA Green-EDGE, BORA Argon 18, and Team Novo Nordisk, as well as the NBC Sports broadcast team of the Tour De France.”

Local brewer, Ipswich Ale Brewing, also based on Boston’s North Shore, is renowned for its innovative, seasonal craft beers. With cyclocross and beer often mentioned in the same breath, Ipswich Ale Brewing saw tremendous value in aligning with the race.

“The Gran Prix of Gloucester features cyclocross competitors from around the world, so we were thrilled when the organizers approached us wanting to showcase Ipswich Ales exclusively at the event,” says Rob Martin, Owner and President of the Ipswich Ale Brewery.  “After trekking through the course, we’re confident that one of the many Ipswich Ales available will be just what the doctor ordered for participants and thirsty spectators alike. All beverages will be served from the Ipswich Ale Tapmobile, a North Shore institution in its own right. It is exciting to have them at such a prominent sporting event.”

Along with exciting new sponsors, the Gran Prix of Gloucester plans to reveal a revamped and recharged version of this classic race. This year’s courses will feature many traditional elements as well new, improved components of Stage Fort Park that the race has never utilized.

The CRAFT Sportwear Gran Prix of Gloucester Presented by Ipswich Ale Brewing will take place on September 27th and 28th. Some of the world’s best racers, along with hundreds of amateur athletes, will compete on Gloucester soil to gain points in the Verge New England Cyclocross Series. Cyclocross fans from around the globe will be able to follow live Twitter updates at @VergeNECXS, @GPGloucester, and #gpgcx. High-quality video coverage of the weekend’s races will be found on DirtWire TV (dirtwire.tv).