April 12, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
John Eustice / Sparta Cycling
(917) 699-4566
jde@spartacycling.com
Sparta Cycling Announces 2005 Tour of Connecticut
Cyclosportif Ride Added to Three Day Event
Waterbury, Connecticut: The Northwest Connecticut Convention and Visitors
Bureau and event organizer Sparta Cycling of New York
City is pleased to announce the 2005 Tour of Connecticut professional
cycling race, from 20-22 May. The 2005 Tour of Connecticut features stops in
New Haven, Waterbury and Torrington, and the televised three-day stage race will
be featured on OUTDOOR LIFE NETWORKS's Cyclysm Sunday bicycle
race TV series. The 2005 Tour of Connecticut will also be broadcast locally on
Connecticut's WCTX-UPN .
Jim Whitney, Director of the Northwest Connecticut Convention and Visitors Bureau
said: "We are delighted to be the principle sponsor of the 2005 Tour of Connecticut
and are committed to the long term growth of this great cycling event. We are
certain that it will contribute greatly to raising awareness of the Northwest
corner of the state as an outdoor recreational destination."
The 2005 Tour of Connecticut begins in New Haven, Connecticut at 6pm on Friday,
May 20th with a crowd-pleasing evening criterium race around the famed New Haven
Green. The tiny, 900-meter circuit with its wide fast turns resembles a giant
track race, but one raced by pro road teams. All of the action is visible from
the start/finish line as well, adding to the track racing atmosphere.
Saturday May 21 is the grueling 62 mile Waterbury Climbers' Cup, a bicycle race
that will define the true contenders for Tour of Connecticut race leadership.
The Waterbury race has becoming a citywide celebration, complete with block parties
and rock bands that cheer on the racers. The course, surely one of the most difficult
on the NRC circuit, climbs for 1.5 miles of its 4-mile length in a twisting and
turning course that shakes the field to pieces.
A final epic stage takes place on Sunday, May 22nd, a grueling 135 mile race
that commences with a 116 mile loop through the magnificent beauty of Litchfield
County. The course is dotted with New England church steeples and long, very
steep climbs. The race reenters the host city of Torrington for 20 fast, exciting
miles of finishing circuits in downtown Torrington and the final awards of the
2005 Tour of Connecticut.
Confirmed professional teams for the 2005 Tour of Connecticut include Navigators
Insurance, Jittery Joe's-Kalahari, Webcor Builders and defending 2004 winners
Team Colavita/Sutter Home. Invited amateur teams include TIAA - CREF and Fiordifrutta
Cycling Team.
-more-
p.2 Tour of Connecticut Announced
The 2005 Tour of Connecticut features a popular 62-mile "Cyclosportif" public
ride on Sunday, May 22nd to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
of Connecticut. This popular "Cyclosportif" event has been added to the
2005 Tour of Connecticut program. The Cyclosportif riders will start
ten minutes behind the pros on Sunday's final stage of the Tour of Connecticut
and then chase them over the first thirty-five miles of the race, before
heading back to Torrington. The Tour of Connecticut Cyclosportif ride
has been named as an official event for the Team In Training program.
Rob Gerowe, Campaign Director of the regional chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma
Society is enthusiastic about the new partnership: "We are honored to be part
of an event that will help us in our mission to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's
disease and Myeloma, and improve the quality of life of our patients and their
families."
The Tour of Connecticut is presented by the Northwest Connecticut Convention
and Visitors Bureau, and is additionally supported by Fiordifrutta, Pan Ducale,
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Greater New Haven Convention and Visitors
Bureau, Connecticut Lottery and Festina.
The 2005 Tour of Connecticut is produced by Sparta Cycling of New York City.
About USA Cycling Recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee and the Union Cycliste Internationale, USA Cycling promotes American cycling through its 45,000 members and 2,000 annual events. USA Cycling associations include the National Bicycle League (BMX), National Off-Road Bicycle Association (mountain bike), U.S. Cycling Federation (road/track) and the U.S. Professional Racing Organization (professional men's road). For more information, contact Director of Communications Andy Lee at (719) 866-4867 or visit www.usacycling.org.
For more information please go to: www.tourofct.com
