World’s Elite Racers Converge in Upstate New York

More than 400 racers representing 32 countries will converge on Windham, New York this weekend for the seventh round of the World Cup series.

In the downhill, Trek World Racing teammates American Aaron Gwinn and Brit Tracy Moseley will shoot for their fourth wins of the series. Gwinn is the first American man in more than 10 years to lead in overall points and to be in a position to win the World Cup series.

In cross-country Canadian Catharine Pendrel (Luna Pro Team) and Julie Bresset of France (BH–Suntour–Peisey Vallandry) will continue to jockey for the win at Windham and for the overall points lead. On the men’s side, Specialized’s Jaroslav Kulhavy of the Czech Republic, who won the 2010 Windham World Cup last year, is the current overall points leader with two wins under his belt.

Kulhavy’s teammate, Todd Wells, grew up near Windham, so he will be extra motiviated to move up the UCI rankings, as he is holding on to the 20^th position for overall points.

In addition to World Cup events, a highlight of the weekend’s activities will be the free Friday night block party on Main Street in Windham. The party, which runs from 8 to 11 p.m., will open with the Brooklyn Steppers drum line and the Taiko Drum Corps. Lex Grey and the Urban Pioneers, a musical group, and the Albany All Stars women’s roller derby squad will also entertain the crowds. Six-time mountain bike trials world champion Mike Steidley will be on hand for the trials stunt show, and the Chatham Unicycle Club will perform its own stunt show and teach interested participants how to ride a unicycle.

A 15-foot by 22-foot movie screen will be set up to show “Follow  Me,” a movie featuring Windham athletes and others involved in the sport of mountain biking.

For more information, visit www.racewindham.com.

Last year at the Windham World Cup: