Published January 22, 2004 01:00AM
By VeloNews Interactive
Tour de Georgia officials announced Wednesday that the Dodge division ofDaimler-Chrysler has renewed its title sponsorship for the 2004 event,scheduled April 20 – April 25.Specific course details were not included in Wednesday’s announcement,but promoters promised to unveil the route and offer a list of participantsat a “media event” scheduled for February.“We are extremely pleased to renew Dodge as the title sponsor and tocontinue building the prestige and global scope of the Dodge Tour de Georgia,”said John Rice, Chairman of the Georgia Partnership for Economic Development,the non-profit foundation of the Georgia Department of Industry, Trade& Tourism that owns and operates the Tour. “With the corporate supportand proven expertise from Dodge, we are assured of making the 2004 eventbigger and better than ever.”Last year’s race brought 18 teams and 144 riders from 17 countries,to compete in a six-day race over 613 miles across Georgia. Updates regarding the 2004 Dodge Tour de Georgia will be posted at theofficial website, www.tourdegeorgia.com.New North American racing series puts spotlight on women
In an effort to bring more attention to the talents of women’s teamsand racers and the sponsors who support them, the Women’s Prestige CyclingSeries will debut in 2004.The women’s-only points series will feature some of the best race venuesin North America, encompassing three of the top stage races already onthe racing calendar and culminating in an end-of-the-season finale in Bermuda.”Women’s racing is almost always in the shadow of the men’s events whenthey have to share the same spotlight,” said Giana Roberge of Team SpeedQueen. “The Women’s Prestige Cycling Series is an outstanding opportunityto give the women the attention that they deserve. These women are amazingathletes and the series will help educate the public as to just how excitingwomen’s racing – or just riding a bike – can be.”The four events to be included in the inaugural year of the series willbe:March 24-28 Redlands Bicycle Classic, CaliforniaJune 9-13 Nature Valley Grand Prix, MinnesotaJuly 26-August 5 The International (Tour de ‘Toona), PennsylvaniaSeptember 23-26 CD&P Bermuda Grand Prix, BermudaThe CD&P Bermuda Grand Prix will be a prize in itself, with the top 10 teams following The International receiving free airfare and housing for the event in one of the most desirable vacation spots in the world.The stage race, though, will also count towards points for all teams, leavingit an important part of the series.The Women’s Prestige Cycling Series grew out of meetings that beganin Minnesota last year at the first Yoplait Women’s Cycling Summit Conferencehosted at the Nature Valley Grand Prix. The summit continued in Octoberat Interbike, with an overwhelming number of women’s team managers andriders requesting that promoters develop a race series that included mostof the top women’s races.More information will be available soon at www.WomenCyclists.comTailgating with the Posties
Several members of the U.S. Postal Service are slated to spend theirSuper Bowl Sunday in Scottsdale, Arizona, at a tailgate party hosted bythe Bicycle Ranch.Customers can meet Tour veterans George Hincapie, Victor Hugo Pena, Viatcheslav Ekimov and Floyd Landis and take home a piece of history – autographs of the riders from the only American team to win the Tour de France.The riders will be at the store on Sunday, February 1st from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. The afternoon will feature a live radio remote, the Super Bowlon a 50-inch plasma screen, giveaway contests and opportunities to winhistoric USPS team clothing. All customers will also be able to ride thecomplete Trek demo fleet beginning at 10:00 a.m.For more information visit www.bicycleranch.com.