February 1/06 9:06 am - 2006 Race Information

Posted by Editor on 02/1/06
 

2006 Bermuda Grand Prix
Courtesy organizers

The Bermuda Bicycle Association is pleased to announce the dates for the 2006 CD&P Bermuda Grand Prix, Bermuda's largest professional sporting event. Starting on Thursday, September 7 and concluding on Sunday, September 10, 2006, the four-stage race will again be contested in venues across the islands of Bermuda. In a sponsorship arrangement announced in 2005, offshore law firm Conyers Dill & Pearman will be the event's title sponsor through 2008 which will be the twelfth year of the firm's involvement with the event.

Stage locations will again showcase several well-recognized Bermuda sites while testing the strength and skills of both professional and amateur participants. 2005 saw the introduction of the XL Capital Gibbs Hill Challenge, a time trial format sprint to the base of the landmark Gibbs Hill Lighthouse, a race that will repeat in 2006 along with the CD&P Hamilton Criterium and Cheerios Dockyard Criterium and a road race stage.

In the elite women's event, the CD&P Bermuda Grand Prix will be the finale of the Women's Prestige Cycling Series for the third year. Automatic places plus travel support are guaranteed to the top ten teams in the WPCS as of the conclusion of the 2006 International Tour de Toona. The WPCS consists of three events in 2006, one less than its initial two years. But the reduction of one of the events will permit more teams to complete the series and receive the publicity associated with participating in the recognized events. More on the WPCS can be found at www.womencyclists.com.

2005 General Classification winners of the CD&P Bermuda Grand Prix in the elite men and women categories were Ivan Stevic of Aerospace Engineering Group - VMG Cycling and Karen Brems of Webcor Builders Women's Team.


Methow Valley Tour Expands Stage Race Calendar for NW Cyclists
Courtesy Terry Buchanan

The Methow Valley is famous for its beautiful cross country skiing and mountain biking. For years it has hosted fabulous trail runs, mountain bike events and cross country ski races. Road cycling has had a low profile in the valley but that is about to change with the two day, three stage Methow Valley Tour on April 29 & 30, 2006.

This addition to Washington's road race calendar is presented by The Methow Valley Sports Trail Association, Lake Washington Velo, and Winthrop Physical Therapy. Both Lake Washington Velo and MVSTA bring strong credentials as race organizers and promoters, and Winthrop Physical Therapy is fast becoming a regional center for sports performance training programs and athlete services. Lake Washington Velo is known for rider and spectator favorites such as the Tahuya-Seaback-Tahuya Road Race and Star Crossed Cyclo-cross. While this will be the MVSTA's first foray into road race promotion, the organization is recognized nationally for their excellent Nordic ski trails and races.

The Methow Valley Tour will feature awe-inspiring scenery and challenging courses that span the upper Methow Valley. For the inaugural year: an ten mile, out and back time trial in Mazama, a road race circuit through old western-themed Winthrop, and a classic, small-town criterium in Twisp. "We are hoping for a great turn out in the first year so we can sell the community and merchants on the value and excitement of bike racing. We want to expand this event throughout the Okanogan and include mountain top finishes at Washington and Loup Loup Passes in the future," according Jay Lucas, MVSTA Executive Director. Terry Buchanan, Lake Washington Velo President, feels the event can grow over the next three years to become the premier stage race in Washington and rival the other Northwest premier stage races, Mt. Hood Classic and Columbia Plateau.

For more information please visit www.mvsta.com and www.broadmarkcycling.com.