Last year, Duke was in control at the 2012 Raleigh Midsummer Night Cyclocross Race and took the win and the contract. © Cyclocross Magazine
Raleigh to Offer Sponsorship to Two Deserving Riders at Utah: Highest Placed Elite Rider Without Contract to Receive $10K Package
PARK CITY, UTAH – As racers prepare for the start of the American cyclo-cross season, Raleigh is preparing to help one deserving racer to the top level of the sport. The company will provide a single season sponsorship package worth more than $10,000 to the highest placed rider without a sponsorship contract at the Raleigh Midsummer Night’s Cyclocross. Last year, Nicole Duke and Alan Krughoff walked away with the contracts, so we can’t wait to see who takes the wins and the sponsorships this year!
“We thoroughly believe in the grassroots racer and want to encourage them to bridge up to the next group. This year’s sponsorship is aimed at the local racers,” said Brian Fornes, marketing director for Raleigh America of his idea to sponsor this “Top Elite Rider Without Contract” award. The rider will also receive podium presentation at the event being held Thursday, July 25 at DealerCamp.
“If you don’t have a contract, get to Utah!,” said Sean Condon, race director. “Not only do you get the contract, you get a ton of media attention. And if this race is to serve as the pageant for hungry stars available for contracts, the Raleigh Midsummer Nights Cyclocross will be like the NFL combine for ’cross.”
This prize is in addition to a handsome purse that offers $1,500 to winner of both the elite men’s and elite women’s divisions.
“This race is all about kicking off the new cyclocross season. With the first UCI races a few weeks afterward, we’re promoting this event as the debut for new equipment, new teams, new clothing, and new sponsorship,” said Richard Fries, communications director for the event. “A lot of fantastic, deserving racers still don’t have that support so critical to competing at the pro level. This investment by Raleigh will produce a new superstar.”
Available to the highest placed elite rider in both the men’s and women’s divisions, the Raleigh Midsummer Nights Cylcocross sponsorship winner will receive the following:
- A choice of one complete Raleigh RXC Pro OR two Raleigh RXC Pro frame sets. (Brake systems depending on availability)
- Two Raleigh team clothing kits
- $1,500 in sponsorship, payments spread out over three months
- The total value of the of the package is $10,950.
- There are some eligibility stipulations. The riders must be eligible to ride elite cyclocross races in 2013-14; they cannot have a contract with a current UCI team; and they cannot have a current contract with a title sponsor.
To register for the race, visit www.bikereg.com.
