OBRA
For Immediate Release
October 14, 2005
www.crosscrusade.com
Contact: Gary Medley
Medley Communications
503–239–3948
garymedley@comcast.net


Cannondale Stumptown Cyclocross Classic Sets Record
as Largest 1-Day Cyclocross Race Ever Held in U.S.


        PORTLAND, Ore.  The state of Oregon can claim another record-breaking sports milestone: The 760 cyclocross racers who converged on Alpenrose Dairy last Saturday for the Cannondale Stumptown Cyclocross Classic  part of the River City Bicycles Cross Crusade sanctioned by the Oregon Bicycle Racing Association (OBRA)  made it the largest one-day, competitive cyclocross racing event ever held in the United States, according to officials from the Cross Crusade and OBRA.

        The huge turnout of competitors  hearty cyclists willing to challenge the varying terrain (and mud) of Alpenrose is unprecedented on American soil, possibly the world, officials said.

"The popularity of cyclocross racing in the Northwest continues to grow," said Brad Ross, director of the 14-year-old Cross Crusade series. "The week before more than 600 riders raced at Hillsboro, then 760 at Alpenrose.  No other one-day competitive bike race, in America or in Europe, can equal that level of participation.  The turnout speaks to the accessibility and fun of cyclocross, despite how physically demanding the sport is."

The Alpenrose Stumptown Cyclocross Classic was the Cross Crusade's marquee event.  In addition to being round two of the Crusade, the event doubled as the first race in the UCI internationally sanctioned Crank Bros. U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross.

The River City Bicycles Cross Crusade, Ross said, is the largest participatory cyclocross racing series in the world, featuring riders from Oregon and Washington in 16 classes of competition, from elite men and women to masters and junior categories.  The series, sanctioned by OBRA, will pay out more than $20,000 in prize money plus merchandise.

        This is the 14th annual River City Bicycles Cross Crusade, firmly establishing the Northwest as the country's most popular region for cyclocross bike racing  a specialized, cycling competition that requires riders to race on a closed-loop circuit, over grass, pavement, gravel, and mud, with barriers and steep run-ups mixed in for additional challenges. 

         Four races remain on the River City Cross Crusade schedule: October 23, Scouters Mountain; October 30, Halloween Cross Festival, Flying M Ranch; November 13, Barton Park; and November 20, District Cyclocross Championships, at the Estacada Timber Park.

        In addition to the series title sponsor River City Bicycles of Portland, the Cross Crusade is also supported by Cannondale, Sellwood Cycle Repair, Russ Auto Group, Health Net, and a host of others.  The Cross Crusade is organized and promoted by Club Vivo, 4409 SW Dosch Road, Portland, OR 97201, 503-806-6943.

        The Oregon Bicycle Racing Association is the official sanctioning body for all bicycle racing in the state.  OBRA fast-growing membership now tops 2,750 cyclists, who compete in road, mountain, time trials, track and cyclocross competition.  OBRA membership benefit from one of the county's most extensive racing calendars, with OBRA-santioned events taking place on nearly 230 days per year.

For complete information on the River City Cross Crusade, visit www.crosscrusade.com.  Racers can register in advance at www.athleteslounge.com.   Learn more about the Cross Crusade and all types of bicycle racing in Oregon at www.obra.org, site of the Oregon Bicycle Racing Association.
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