Bobby Julich to Lead 2009 Univest Cyclosportif 100K

Press Release

Souderton, Pa – Bobby Julich, the Havertown cyclist whose career includes a third-place in the 1998 Tour de France, a bronze medal at the 2004 Olympics and wins in some of the most prestigious races in the world, will be the celebrity leader for the 2009 Univest Cyclosportif 100K on Saturday, Sept. 12.

“We are thrilled to have a rider of Bobby Julich’s stature to lead our Cyclosportif this year,” said race organizer John Eustice, president of Sparta Cycling. “His extraordinary career speaks for itself and he was always a fan favorite because he is always approachable and considerate. Bobby’s continued work in the pro peloton as the team development manager of the esteemed Saxo Bank Pro Tour squad just adds to his considerable prestige.”

“We are honored to have Bobby participate and make this great ride even better.”

Julich retired in 2008 after a 16-year career that included his Tour de France podium finish and the bronze medal in the 2004 Olympic time trial. He had one of his best years in 2005 when he won the historic Paris-Nice race, the Criterium International and the Eneco Tour of Benelux. His great season helped pushed him to an 8th placed ranking among pros and helped his CSC team finish at the top of the UCI team rankings that year.

“I am really looking forward to visiting Souderton and riding the Cyclosportif,” Julich said.”As a racer I know how tough the Univest Grand Prix is and I also know what a great showcase it is for the young talent in our sport. The chance for non-racers to ride such a great course with all of the support provided by the Univest team is just a terrific opportunity to share in the fun.”

Julich joins a host of past cycling luminaries who have served as celebrity leaders for the Cyclosportif 100K, including Frankie Andreau, a nine-time Tour de France rider and current Tour commentator; Jonathan Vaughters, former racer and director of Team Garmin Slipstream; Marty Nothstein, Olympic gold medalist and director of the Valley Preferred Cycling Center; and Floyd Landis. Registration remains open for the ride.

Participants ride on the professional’s race course and enjoy many of the benefits of the peloton, including feed zones, mechanical and medical support vehicles and a sag wagon. Each rider receives a number and a finishing time, and participants can choose from a 40- or 60-mile course.

The Univest Grand Prix this year includes a new 2-day UCI stage race format that begins with a team time trial on Friday, Sept. 11 in Allentown and finishes with the famed Univest road race on Saturday, Sept. 12 in Souderton. The weekend cycling festival wraps up Sunday, Sept. 13 with Univest Criterium in Doylestown.

The cyclosportif ride will be held on the challenging road course. It is open to the public and cyclists can register online at www.bikereg.com and on race day beginning at 6 a.m. near the Finish line on Main Street in Souderton. The ride begins at 8 a.m. Proceeds benefit the Penn Foundation, a Sellersville-based non-profit organization that provides comprehensive behavioral healthcare to persons in need of hope, healing, and compassion.

“Like the race itself, the Cyclosportif is one of the great European cycling traditions that the Univest Grand Prix brings to the United States,” said Eustice. “We’re pleased to continue to offer this first-class opportunity that appeals to recreational cyclists who travel around the world to participate in ‘Cyclo’ events.”

The strong reputation the Univest Grand Prix has earned in the cycling community has also carried over into the recreational ride, which appeals to and attracts cycling enthusiasts who often travel the world to participate in cyclo events — and to local cyclists who look forward each year to the only true cyclosportif held in the United States.

Registration is $45 in advance and $55 on the day of the event. All pre-registered riders will receive a T-shirt and all riders are invited to a post-ride meal at a special reserved area at Main and Broad streets. Univest Cyclosportif 100k jerseys will be available for $50 to all-pre-registered riders and $60 for those who register late.

Every participant is eligible for a grand prize drawing for a Stork Bicycle C-1 carbon frameset valued at $2,500 or a set of Revolution Wheelworks wheels valued at $550.

In addition to Stork and Revolution Wheelworks, sponsors include Liberty Sports, Sportique, Champion System, Valley Forge Convention and Visitors Bureau, Landis Supermarkets, Leidy’s Premium Pork Products and Grand View Hospital.