USA Cycling, together with the Louisville (Ky.) Sports Commission, have teamed up to stage the 2013 UCI Cyclocross World Championships race, to be held Feb. 2-3 in Louisville, after the event found itself in danger of collapsing due to a sponsorship shortfall. USA Cycling Vice President of National Events Micah Rice will serve as race director.
The event has also been bolstered by significant financial contributions from Louisville community leaders John Schnatter, founder and CEO of Papa John’s International, Inc., David A. Jones, Sr., co-founder of Humana, and Sam Swope, founder of Sam Swope Auto Group.
“We are grateful for the generous support provided by John Schnatter, David Jones and Sam Swope,” said Karl Schmitt, executive director of the Louisville Sports Commission. “Their financial contributions will go a long way in making this an outstanding event for the participants, cycling fans and the Louisville community.”
The world championships for cyclo-cross have never been held outside of Europe, but pre-sale ticket numbers for both general admission and VIP spectators have already exceeded 2,500 for the Louisville event.
“The level of excitement and fan interaction at a cyclo-cross event of this magnitude cannot be topped,” said USA Cycling President and CEO Steve Johnson. “We are pleased to lend our expertise to make sure this event runs smoothly and that we give both riders and fans a memorable, once-in-a-lifetime experience. A big thank you goes to our partner, the Louisville Sports Commission, for helping create a warm and welcoming atmosphere to all our international participants. And a special thank you to Louisville’s own John Schnatter, David Jones and Sam Swope for leading the way with their generous gifts from the local community. The number of ticket sales thus far indicates a huge level of excitement among the cycling community as we welcome this prestigious event to U.S. soil for the first time.”
General admission tickets for the events are $25 for adults, $10 for students; children under 10 are admitted free. A two-day adult general admission ticket is $40. Single-day VIP tickets are $125 and two-day VIP tables of 10 are $2,250. For a complete race schedule and more information about the 2013 UCI World Elite Cyclo-cross Championships, please visit www.louisville2013.com.
About Louisville Sports Commission
The Louisville Sports Commission (LSC) is a Louisville, Kentucky-based 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to create a legacy of economic and social vitality through sports. LSC attracts and hosts sporting events and activities that have a positive economic impact on Louisville, enhance the area’s image as a premier sports destination, promote healthy lifestyles and improve the quality of life for community members of all ages. More information is available online at www.louisvillesports.org and www.facebook.com/louisvillesportscommission.
About USA Cycling
Recognized by the United States Olympic Committee and the Union Cycliste Internationale, USA Cycling is the official governing body for all disciplines of competitive cycling in the United States, including road, track, mountain bike, BMX and cyclo-cross. As a membership-based organization, USA Cycling comprises 66,500+ licensees; 2,200 clubs and teams; and 34 local associations. The national governing body sanctions 2,650 competitive and non-competitive events throughout the U.S. each year and is responsible for the identification, development, and support of American cyclists. To learn more about USA Cycling, visit www.usacycling.org.
Contacts:
Karl Schmitt
Executive Director
Louisville Sports Commission
T: 502-587-6716
C: 502-262-2807
[email protected]
Bill Kellick
Director of Communications
USA Cycling
T: 719-434-4274
C: 719-209-8210
[email protected]
