Continent's Fastest Track Bike Racers to Portland PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Alpenrose Challenge the largest prize list track race in the country with a $12,000 purse will attract the fastest track bike racers in North America to the steep banks of the Alpenrose Velodrome in Southwest Portland on July 7-9, competing in Elite Men, Elite Women, and Masters categories in a variety of race formats. Headlining the entry list is Pan-Am Games Gold Medallist Stephen Alfred, a native of Trinidad, who is now a U.S. citizen living in Capitola, California. Alfred holds the Alpenrose single flying-lap record at 15.10 seconds. Other top riders expected to compete are Anne-Brit Erickson, from Calgary, the Canadian National sprint champion; and Becky Quinn, from Carlsbad, Calif., whose resume boasts a U.S. National championship and member of the U.S. Olympic team. Top local riders also challenge for part of the big purse. Stephen McLaughry, of Camas, Wash., a surprise top three finisher last year, will be back to improve his standing; and Heather Van Valkenburg, Vancouver, Wash., is the National Bronze medal winner. "The Alpenrose Challenge is without question one of the premier track races anywhere," said Race Director and event founder Mike Murray. "Eight years ago we wanted to create a local event that featured national and international caliber riders and would showcase the unique attraction that is bicycle track racing. And we succeeded. The event put Alpenrose on the map for the top riders and local spectators." Track racing serves up a wide assortment of race formats. The Alpenrose Challenge will offer a 4K Pursuit, 500-meter and 1-kilometer Time Trials, Sprints, Miss & Out, Keirin, Madison, Flying Lap, 10-mile, and Olympic Sprint. A complete description of all track races at the Alpenrose Challenge can be found at www.alpenrosechallenge.com/track101.htm . Registration takes place on Thursday, July 6, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Alpenrose. Two sessions of racing are scheduled for Friday, July 7, beginning at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. On Saturday, July 8, two more sessions are set, starting at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. On Sunday, July 9, the final two sessions take place, starting at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. For more information on the Alpenrose Challenge, contact Mike Murray, at 503-661-5874, or mike.murray@obra.org. For registration information, contact Debi Truesdale, d.truesdale@comcast.net. For information on the web, visit www.alpenrosechallenge.com. |
