Erwin Vervecken leading the 2009 Roubaix World Cup. © Joe Sales
Three-Time World Champion Headlines All-Star Fields as Series Kicks Off in Wisconsin
September 9, 2009 (Louisville, KY) — Organizers of the US Gran Prix of Cyclocross, (USGP) announced today that three-time World Champion Erwin Vervecken will compete at the 2009 USGP Planet Bike Cup on September 26th and 27th at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, WI.
Series Director, Joan Hanscom, says, “We are thrilled to have Erwin compete at the USGP Planet Bike Cup. He is a superstar of unparalleled talent and is sure to animate every moment of racing. For him to be so enthusiastic about competing in the US and at the USGP speaks to the growing importance of the US cross scene. We are excited to see how US riders stack up against him early in the season -especially with the depth of the fields racing here.” Hanscom continued, “We’re certain having Vervecken racing at the Planet Bike Cup will raise everybody’s game – from fellow racers and staff right down to the spectators. Madison and the surrounding areas are so passionate about cycling and sports in general that we know the crowds will appreciate the level of competition lining up to race in their hometown – so come out and bring your cowbells!”
Racing for the Belgian squad Team Revor-Baboco-Champion System, Vervecken will headline the strongest field of racers ever assembled for the USGP. He will face off against the likes of Planet Bike super power and World Championship Silver Medalist Jonathan Page; the rising european duo of Christian Heule and Tim Van Nuffel; and a field rich with domestic superstars including former and reigning USGP and National Champions like Cannondale/ CyclocrossWorld.com rider Tim Johnson and teammates Jeremy Powers and Jamey Driscoll; Kona’s Ryan Trebon and Barry Wicks, Todd and Troy Wells, and Geoff Kabush.
Champion System’s US President of Sales and Marketing, Charlie Issendorf was key to Vervecken’s participation, “Through our sponsorship of one of Belgium’s leading cyclocross squads, Team Revor-Baboco-Champion System, we’re incredibly excited to have Erwin racing at USGP The Planet Cup. Erwin decided to extend his stay in the U.S. so he could compete in this prestigious U.S. ‘cross race. We wish him the best of luck”
The women’s fields for the Planet Bike Cup are no less stacked with talent. Planet Bike’s Katie Compton – herself five-time National Champion and World Championship Bronze medalist -will make one of her few US appearances before heading off to Europe to focus on the World Cup circuit. Compton will face off against the LUNA Chix juggernaut of USGP Champions Katerina Nash and Georgia Gould – alongside their newly un-retired LUNA teammate Alison Dunlap, and the likes of Alison Sydor, and Sue Butler. Women’s cross has never looked so powerful.
The 2009 USGP Planet Bike Cup takes place on September 26th and 27th and Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, WI and features two full days of amateur and professional racing. For more information about the Planet Bike Cup and the USGP Series visit www.usgpcyclocross.com. Registration for all races is available on BikeReg.com
The USGP is the nation’s premiere cyclocross series and has, since 2004, featured the deepest, strongest and fastest professional fields racing on this side of the Atlantic. In 2009 the USGP will race across the country, featuring: The Planet Bike Cup, September 26-27 in Sun Prairie, WI; the Derby City Cup presented by Papa John’s, October 24-25 in Louisville, KY; the Mercer Cup presented by Knapp’s Cyclery, November 14-15 in West Windsor, NJ; and the Stanley Portland Cup, December 5-6 in Portland, OR.
