Just in case you’ve been hiding out in roadie or mountain bike isolation and haven’t noticed, the race promo PR machines are running at full tilt. But these press releases are definitely worth reading. Why? Not only do they have some surprising news for fans on race attendees (Jonathan Page skipping his typical Michigan opening weekend for the NACT opener), in today’s case there’s also news for enterprising Cat 3 racers looking for a BIG payday. Will we see a top sandbagger make the trip to Seattle and win a prize worth far more than the cost of his flight? We can’t wait to see. One thing we’re sure of is that there are probably quite a few Northwest racers regretting that early upgrade to Cat 2 status for a better start position in Bend.
August 21, 2009 – Full Speed Ahead Star Crossed amplified by Redline, the nation’s first twilight cyclocross race, is returning on September 19th to King County’s Marymoor Park in Redmond, WA. Star Crossed kicks off the US ‘cross season for the 8th consecutive year under the bright lights of the Marymoor Velodrome. This year Star Crossed will be the first UCI Cyclocross race in the US and the first race in the North American Cyclocross Trophy (NACT) which includes ten races in five cities in the US and Canada. With the growing popularity of cyclocross in the United States and the already proven formula of great racing, a spectator-friendly course, a beer garden along with tasty eats, and DJ-spun music should mean another fun-filled day for spectators and a successful and record breaking year for this event.
FSA Star Crossed partners with Rad Racing Gran Prix on September 20th to complete the first weekend of the NACT. While FSA Star Crossed has been know as a party with a bike race, Rad Racing GP has been pure classic cross since 2002 with its 80 meter run-up and storied roster of champs including Erwin Vervecken, Danielle Pontoni, Christian Huele, Ryan Trebon, Alison Dunlap, and Tim Johnson. Jim Brown and his Rad Racing NW junior development program have presented cyclocross on the legendary Steilacoom course for the past seven years. Rad Racing GP provides a great contrast to Starcrossed with high speeds, tactical racing, and brutal run-up.
Already confirmed for FSA Star Crossed and Rad Racing GP are current US National Cyclocross and NACT Champion, Ryan Trebon (Kona) and 2007 World Cyclocross Silver Medalist, Jonathan Page (Planet Bike). FSA Star Crossed and Rad Racing GP 2008 champs Jeremy Powers and Tim Johnson will again team up for Cannondale / CyclocrossWorld to defend their respective titles in 2009. Also joining Powers and Johnson from Cannondale / CyclocrossWorld is Jamey Driscoll, silver medalist at last year’s US National Championship. Christian Huele (Rendementhypo), current Swiss Cyclocross Champion, will also make his return to the Pacific Northwest in an attempt to gain double wins at these pair of races as he did in 2007.
In the women’s category five-time US Cyclocross Champion, Alison Dunlap (Luna) will make her return from retirement at FSA Star Crossed. Meeting Dunlap at the start line will be 2009 Star Crossed winner and Single Speed World Champion, Sue Butler (Monavie-Cannondale) and British National Cyclocross Champion and #8 in the World, Helen Wyman (Kona). 2008 Rad Racing GP winner, Wendy Simms will be spending the weekend cheering for her husband in the Master’s races as she is soon expecting a newborn baby.
Long time sponsor Full Speed Ahead has returned to the event as title sponsor “Star Crossed has been a fixture in the Northwest cyclocross scene and it keeps getting bigger and better. It’s a great kick-off for the national season. They have created a great vehicle to get our name and our new products out in the spotlight for the season,” states Max Ralph, Marketing Manager FSA.
Redline Bicycles will be pumping up their support of Star Crossed this year with full support of a venue-wide sound system to keep the crowds fully informed throughout the night as well as kicking in generous prizes for racers and spectators alike. “Redline is once again pleased to be a sponsor of Star Crossed. As a leader in cyclocross bicycle innovation, being part of Star Crossed has always been a great place for us to showcase our products to current and future cyclocross racers,” said Tim Rutledge of Redline Bicycles.
Also coming aboard this year are Herriott Sports Performance as title sponsor of the Elite Women and Cascade Bicycle Studio as title sponsor of the always-entertaining Cat 3 Men. Cascade Bicycle Studio will offer the winner of the Men’s Category 3 race a fully custom Seven Cycles Tsunami Steel frame, with the option of the limited edition Star Crossed glow-in-the-dark paint scheme. The additional of these two local sponsors allow the continued strong support of both the grassroots and elite categories.
Deschutes Brewery has returned as the official beer garden sponsor providing a variety of local brews. The event will also feature a live DJ sponsored by Zune, free spectator door prizes and giveaways including a Redline frameset. A variety of great food will also be provided at the event by local vendors. Other sponsors and contributors to the event include, De La Paz Coffee, Sonadei, Chef’n, NOS, Smith , Black Diamond, Cyclocross Magazine and The Sports Medicine Clinic.
FSA Star Crossed and Rad Racing Gran Prix will also be a part of “Three Perfect Days” from September 18th – 20th with the addition of the Herriott Sports Performance Cyclocross Clinic on September 18th at the FSA Star Crossed course. This free clinic will feature instruction and course reconnaissance with Jonathan Page, second 2007 World Cyclocross Championship, and Alison Dunlap, 2001 World Mountain Bike Champion. “Not only are these two racers some of the best in the country, having two events of this caliber back to back is a great way for seasoned and beginner races to kick off the season. Having Alison and Jonathan on hand to share their experience at a free clinic the night before Star Crossed is a huge bonus and a unique opportunity for anyone interested in learning more about the art of racing cross,” notes Todd Herriott.
For more information contact:
www.starcrossedcx.com
Lake Washington Velo
Terry Buchanan at 425-503-2333 or [email protected]
