OB & Fort Collins Cycling Festival!!!

Fort Collins Cycling Festival Announces Inaugural USAC Rocky Mountain Criterium Race
- Promoter Seeks USAC National Race Calendar Status by 2011-

April 21, 2010 - FORT COLLINS, CO - Competitive cycling has been a part of the cultural fabric of Fort Collins for decades. Many riders and racers have moved to Fort Collins specifically for of its bicycle-friendly culture, marvelous cycling terrain and mild climate. Today, cycling in Fort Collins is more popular than ever. Over 40 competitive cycling events occur every year in and around the city across all genres of the sport.

Charlie Weinbeck of Fort Collins Cycling Festival (FCCF) recently announced that a crown jewel race is being added to our local racing calendar. The Rocky Mountain Criterium will be held on the streets of downtown Fort Collins August 29th, 2010.

The one-day Criterium race is being held this year as qualifying step towards hosting a multi-day stage race in 2011 with the full endorsement of USA Cycling on their National Race Calendar (NRC). Weinbeck is also working with other race promoters to incorporate the Rocky Mountain Criterium as a Tour of Colorado points race.

"The Fort Collins Cycling Festival (FCCF) is very excited to have an opportunity to bring a USAC national-caliber bike race back to Colorado," said Weinbeck. "And when we achieve NRC Status, we intend to expand the Rocky Mountain Criterium Race into a multi-day stage race in 2011." Weinbeck will rename the event the Rocky Mountain Stage Race in future years to reflect the new race format.

The future potential of this race excites Weinbeck. "Not only will this race have a substantial economic impact on our region, but the exposure of a race of this caliber will put Colorado back in the center of the cycling world," said Wienbeck. "This race will bring in some of the biggest pro cycling teams in the nation and the world, as well bring fans from all corners of the globe to enjoy a week of racing while experiencing the culture, food and entertainment of our beautiful city and state."

Tom Vinson, USA Cycling's National Events Manager echoed Weinbeck's positive outlook, "I think it's wonderful to see the return of high-level racing in Colorado. There is tremendous potential for events such as this to raise the bar even higher in Colorado as the race matures. I am very happy to see the FCCF group behind the event as they did an outstanding job with the USA Cycling Collegiate Road National Championships, particularly with this course. I am sure the Rocky Mountain Criterium will be a very successful race."

Tyler James, Director of Sales for the Fort Collins Convention and Visitors Bureau, also expressed his support and enthusiasm for this new event. "Being the host for the USA Collegiate National Championships the past two years helped set the stage for this great event," said James. "Having events of this magnitude are so important to the economic success of our community and tourism can lead the way. When we have biking events in Fort Collins, the racers, family members and spectators spend a lot of money locally, which has a direct result in making Fort Collins the amazing 'Biking' city it has become."

Dave "DK" Kemp, Bicycle Coordinator for the City of Fort Collins also gave his full endorsement for a bicycle race on the City's downtown streets. "Major competitive cycling events are great for the Fort Collins community," said Kemp. "These national-level events reinforce our community's commitment to promote and support cycling and they also help Fort Collins become known as a bicycle tourist destination. The exposure from these events have indirect and direct economic benefits, as well as provide recreational, fitness, and spectator opportunities for our residents."

FCCF has secured corporate sponsorship commitments from Oscar Blues Brewery, Clif Bar, Peloton Cycles, 99.9 FM The Point, Go Fast Energy Drinks, Specialized, Cafe Vino, Rio Grande, Full Cycle, Pro Velo Cyclery, Lees Cyclery, Performance Bikes, and Become Fit.

For more race information and sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.fccyclingfest.com

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Rob Noble, MBA
Director Communique
ciclismo racing
(970) 988-7878
noble@ciclismoracing.com

Ciclismo Racing
Based in Fort Collins, Colo., Ciclismo Racing is a dynamic sports management company dedicated to advancing the sport of American cycling and and promoting bicycling as a way of life. Ciclismo Racing is founded on ethics, integrity, hard work and a commitment to build the best professional men’s cycling team in the United States.
www.ciclismoracing.com