FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
John Eustice, Sparta Cycling
917-699-4566
jde@spartacycling.com
LITCHFIELD HILLS STAGE OF THE TOUR OF CONNECTICUT ANNOUNCED
Recreational Ride to Benefit The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Added
Torrington, CT (March 28, 2005) - The 2005 Tour of Connecticut, presented by the Northwest Connecticut Convention & Visitors Bureau, announced that the final stage of the event will take place in historic Litchfield County, on Sunday, May 22 nd , on the same challenging race course that was conquered by US National Professional Champion Mark McCormack in 2004. A recreational ride, called the Cyclosportif 100K will take place on the same day and benefit The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. It has been named as The Official Ride of the Fairfield County CT Team In Training program. Sprint races for children will be held on the start/finish line in Torrington.
The Tour of Connecticut is an important stop on USA Cycling's National
Racing Calendar.
"These races have become the key event for the US professional class in their
preparation for the national championship in Philadelphia," commented John Eustice,
Race Director. "The grueling road races of the Tour of Connecticut get
the US pros in shape to confront their European challengers two weeks later."
The professional men race a grueling 185 kilometer (116 miles) opening
loop through the towns of Winchester, Winsted, Colebrook, Norfolk, Canaan,
Salisbury, Falls Village, Sharon, West Cornwall, Cornwall, Kent, Warren,
Washington, Morris and Litchfield before returning to the starting city
of Torrington for 10 crowd-pleasing laps of a 3 kilometer (1.8 mile)
circuit within the city limits for a total race distance of 220 kilometers
(137.5 miles).
The Cyclosportif ride offers a 30- and 60-mile choice for participants. In a nod to its European inspiration (Cyclosportif rides are often held on famous race courses and professional racers often do participate), the "Cyclos" will line up on
the same starting line in Torrington as the professional teams, and start at 11:30, ten-minutes after the pros have raced off on their 220-kilometer test. The Cyclosportif ride will follow the first sections of the pro men's race course, before branching off for 30 and 60-mile distances. Cyclosportif riders are encouraged to finish in time to watch the final exciting laps of the professional race and participate in the prize drawings.
Races for Children ages 3 to 12 will be held on the Start/Finish line chute at 3:30, just before the arrival of the pro men for their final laps. Admission is free and medals will be awarded to participants. Autograph signings for the children after the conclusion of the pro race.
The Tour of Connecticut will be televised on Connecticut's UPN station WCTX & ABC's WTNH.
The race is presented by North West Connecticut Convention and Visitors Bureau, Bicycling Magazine, Anthem Blue Cross And Blue Shield, Fior di Frutta/Pan Ducale, Mavic.
The Tour of Connecticut is produced by Sparta Cycling of New York City. Sparta Cycling, Inc. is one of America's top cycling event promoters that designs and implements world-class cycling events based on strong community involvement. Sparta properties include the Tour of Connecticut and the Univest Grand Prix.
