Full Speed Ahead and Gerk’s Ski and Cycle Return As Co-Title Sponsors. Foundation Bank signs on as Elite Race sponsorFull Speed Ahead Star Crossed presented by Gerk’s Ski and Cycle , the nation’s first twilight cyclocross race, is returning on September 20th to King County’s Marymoor Park in Redmond, WA. Star Crossed kicks off the US ‘cross season for the 7th consecutive year under the bright lights of the Group Health Velodrome. This year Star Crossed will be the first UCI level race in the US and the first race in the new North American Cyclocross Trophy (NACT) that spans the entire United States. Inclusion in the tour and our already proven formula of great racing, spectator friendly course, beer garden, and music should add up to another successful and record breaking year for this event.
The North American Cyclocross Trophy begins this fall and includes such notable races as FSA Star Crossed presented by Gerks Ski and Cycle, Rad Racing GP Presented by Kona and FSA, Gran Prix of Gloucester, Boulder Cup, and the Whitmore’s Landscaping Super Cross Cup. All eight races are UCI sanctioned and already appear on the 2008-2009 UCI calendar.
Money and international prestige are the foundation of the NACT Trophy, which was conceived from the start as a professional series. “Top racers are interested in two things, money and points; and we’ve got more of both of them than anybody else in North America,” said Myles Romanow, long time promoter of cyclocross in the upscale Hamptons. “It’s August and right now the series is already committed to race prizes in excess of $40,000 cash – plus appearance fees and an additional $7,000 in year-end cash bonuses for the top three season finishers in both the men’s and women’s divisions.
Already confirmed for Star Crossed is Olympic competitor Adam Craig who is set to take a shot at bringing home the gold on August 23rd. Also confirmed to attend is current National Cyclocross National Champion Tim Johnson, former National Champion Ryan Trebon and his dangerous teammate Barry Wicks. In the women’s category you will have several big hitters from around the nation such as Wendy Simms who won Star Crossed in 2006 and placed 6th overall at the 2007 World Championships and local series rockstar Kristi Berg.
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.
Local sponsor Gerk’s Ski and Cycle are also returning for the second consecutive year. “We had a great time at the event and were impressed with the course and crowds and couldn’t pass up the opportunity to be a part of what seems like an end of summer tradition” says owner Brian Gierke “We are making a strong commitment to cyclocross and it’s great to see bikes we sell in action!”
Also coming aboard this year is Foundation Bank as the presenting sponsor of the elite races. There sponsorship helps add additional funds to the elite races and helps us attract and even higher level of competition. Foundation Bank is a locally-owned, full-service, Washington State chartered commercial bank, offering a wide array of individually designed commercial credit and deposit products for Seattle area businesses and professionals.
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 raffles and giveaways including a Ridley Cyclocross frameset, Redline Framesets and other prizes. Food will also be provided at the event by FrankFurter and Jamba Juice. Other sponsors and contributors to the event include Specialized, De La Paz, Herriot Sports Performance, Cycle University, Sonadei, NOS energy drink, and others.
Preregister for Star Crossed and Rad Racing GP at BikeReg.com and receive entry into a raffle for some sweet swag organized by Rad Racing NW. For the offer will be a Kona Jake the Snake frame, goodies from Full Speed Ahead, Shimano Ultegra wheelsets, a Thule Rack System and a free swag bag and subscription for Cyclocross Magazine. Both races will be kicking off the opening weekend of the North American Cyclocross Trophy with a bag of swag so large it must be Crossmas.
For up to date news, results, and ramblings visit http://www.starcrossedcx.com/weblogs/
