Marion Classic 2009



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

PIC, AMARON: DOUBLE VICTORY FOR COLAVITA AT THE MARION CLASSIC


Marion, IN (August 24, 2009) - 6-time National Criterium Champion Tina Pic of Colavita is ending her career with a bang as she outsprinted Lauren Tamayo (2nd) and Brooke Miller (3rd) of Team TIBCO in the Marion Classic Two-Bridge NRC Criterium. Pic found herself battling Miller and Tamayo on the final sprint as the three distanced themselves slightly from the peleton. “(TIBCO) did make it rough on me,” said Pic, “I was lucky. My team did a great job of leading out for me.”

The Colavita women negotiated the 10-turn, 0.8-mile downtown course in Marion, IN beautifully, and Pic was able to ride comfortably throughout the criterium, “It was a really cool race, really technical,” she said, “Ordinarily, you expect a course with that many corners to be tight, but these were wide enough where you could sweep through them.”

In the NRC Men’s race, Luis Amaran (Colavita) sealed his victory through a hard solo breakaway effort. The field wasn’t able to organize quickly enough to chase down the time gap as Amaran sailed through corners. “It was a very technical course and very difficult to read,” said Amaron, “Team Colavita thought it was very important to be in the front.”

The pace was high from the gun and Karl Menzies (OUCH Pro Cycling) moved to the front with 3 laps to go and brought back nearly 10 seconds of Amaran’s advantage, eventually winning the field sprint for 2nd Place. “I’m here by myself and couldn’t really go out and chase,” Menzies said, “I had to settle back and make sure I had enough for the sprint at the end.”

The Men’s podium was completed by Eric Barlevav (Mountain Khakis), and notable finishers included Lucas Sebastian Haedo of Colavita and Rahsaan Bahati of Rock Racing, placing 8th and 10th respectively. The day was cloudy and cool, but riders stayed dry except for a few sprinkles. The bridge crossings offered a unique vantage point for spectators, who were able to see all but a few corners of the criterium.

Marion Classic NRC Men – Final Results, Top 10 Finishers:

Marion Classic NRC Women – Final Results, Top 10 Finishers:

 

See full results at USA Cycling:  http://www.usacycling.org/results/index.php?permit=2009-1963

 

 

August 21, 2009

LOCATION INFO: TEAM PRESENTATION

The Team Presentation on Friday, August 21, is from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.  Indiana Wesleyan University is hosting the event in the Student Center Piazza.  The event is VIP and NRC Teams only.  VIP Passes will be for sale for $25ea, and will include access to Saturday's VIP activities.  There will be signs directing to parking.  Address for the Team Presentation:

4201 S Washington St

Marion, IN 46953

 

August 20, 2009

NEWSFLASH: TINA PIC CONFIRMS FOR MARION CLASSIC!

Colavita's most decorated rider has confirmed for the Marion Classic.  After last week's victory, Pic will again wear the stars and stripes jersey of the National Criterium Champion - for the 6th time in her career.  Pic will be challenged by 2008 National Criterium Champion Brooke Miller of Team TIBCO.

August 19, 2009

NEWSFLASH: BAHATI CONFIRMS FOR MARION CLASSIC!

Rock Racing's Rahsaan Bahati will be racing in the state that has long awaited his return.  As an Indiana University Alum, Bahati has maintained a loyal fan following in Indiana.  Bahati is the 2008 USPRO Criterium Champion, and seeks to add to his palmeres with a win at the Marion Classic.

MARION CLASSIC ATTRACTS TOP INTERNATIONAL RIDERS WITH CYCLISTS TO COMPETE FOR $25,000 IN PRIZE MONEY AUGUST 22

 

The Marion Classic is just days away - and the race is shaping up to be history-making!  Top international riders have confirmed for what will be the state's first USA Cycling National Racing Calendar event - 1 of 26 NRC events in the United States - with live commentary from cycling celebrity Robbie Ventura.


Marion, IN (August 19, 2009) - In heart of downtown Marion, IN on August 22, 2009, USA Cycling will see for the first time a National Racing Calendar event take place in Indiana.  The national and international status of the Marion Classic bodes well for Indiana sports, especially given the return of Lance Armstrong to professional cycling. "It seems that the return of Lance Armstrong to the Tour de France has weekend warriors of all shapes and sizes dusting off their bicycles!  Indiana's deserved something like this for a while, and I'm thrilled for the opportunity to show people how great bicycle racing can be in our state," remarked Race Director Chase Hoefer.  

The 2009 Marion Classic is happening in downtown Marion, IN on August 22nd, and is 1 of 26 events that make up the USA Cycling National Racing Calendar (NRC).  The event has transitioned from two days of racing in 2008 to a larger one-day event for 2009, focusing on a new course venue with concerts, festivals, and VIP areas.  The 2009 Marion Classic race is called the Two-Bridge NRC Criterium, because there are bridge crossings on the first and last turns.  In addition to the new spectator-focused initiatives, riders will be competing for a $25,000 Prize Purse, $5,000 more than in 2008.

Bigger roads, more turns, and much larger crowds will mark the 2009 Marion Classic Two-Bridge NRC Criterium.  The format will be similar to a NASCAR race "but on city streets and without a motor," says Hoefer, where riders are scored by laps and time, racing within inches of spectators at over 30mph.  The 2009 course is 0.81-miles long with a total of 10 turns.  The turns on the new course are technical but well planned, according to organizers.  There are open views across the river, allowing most of the race to be visible from one location.  This means spectators will see more of the action, but it also will make the racing more difficult, as the increased visibility will allow the sprinter's teams to keep the breakaways in check.  

For families traveling to the Marion Classic, there will be inflatables for kids (including 2 waterslides), pony rides, a BMX stunt show, concerts, an expo, and food.  The event will offer free crowd raffles, with prizes including 30 children's helmets from Meijer, 3 sets of Zipp SLC2 Carbon handlebars ($300 value each), and an AeroCat Carbon Bicycle frameset ($1,200 value).  The 2008 Marion Classic DVD will be available for purchase at the Marion Classic Tent for only $10, and 50% of the profits from DVD sales will be donated to the Marion Inner City Outreach (MICO) House to provide for much needed site renovations.  

Robbie Ventura, best known for his Tour de France commentary on the Versus Network, is hosting the inaugural VIP TEAM PRESENTATION on Friday, August 21 from 7:00 p.m to 9:00 p.m. at the Indiana Wesleyan University Student Center Piazza.  There will be refreshments served in what will be a first opportunity for cycling fans in Indiana to meet the stars of professional cycling.  Tickets are available for $25 each at www.buycooltix.com, and include access to the Mayor's VIP Tent and Indoor VIP Lounge at the race course on Saturday, August 22.

The Marion Classic will be headlined with the 70-minute Women's Professional NRC Race at 5:35 p.m. and the 90-minute Men's Professional NRC Race at 7:00 p.m., but there will be races throughout the day for every amateur skill level, including community events for children and families.  The highlight of the community races will be the Fat Tire Relay Race at 5:10 p.m., where any 2 people - each with helmets and sharing a bicycle - are eligible to enter a team for $10 and race against Mayor Wayne Seybold for community bragging rights.  Meijer is adding to the events for 2009 by joining as the sponsor of the free Meijer Kids' Races, for children ages 3-6 and 7-11, set to take place at 2:20 and 2:30 p.m.

For more information on the events surrounding the Marion Classic, or about how to become a participant, visit www.marionclassic.com.  Online registration for the Marion Classic is available at www.truesport.com and closes August 19 at 11:59 p.m.  Race-day registration is available until 15 minutes prior to the start of each race exluding the professional races.

 


Top NRC Teams and riders confirmed for the Marion Classic are listed below:


Top-Ranked Men's Professional NRC Teams Representing the Marion Classic:
#1 - Team Colavita, www.teamcolavita.com
#3 - OUCH Pro Cycling, www.teamouch.com
#4 - Team Type 1, www.teamtype1.org
#6 - Kelly Benefit Strategies, www.kbsprocycling.com
#7 - Jelly Belly Pro Cycling, www.jellybellycycling.com
#10 - Team Mountain Khakis, www.teammountainkhakis.com

Notable Top-Ranked NRC Men competing at the Marion Classic:
#2 - Lucas Sebastian HAEDO (ARG), Team Colavita, winner of multiple 2009 NRC races
#4 - Karl Menzies (TAS), OUCH Pro Cycling, 2009 Tour of Elk Grove Overall winner
#6 - Alejandro Borrajo (ARG), Team Colavita
#25 - Jacob Keough, Kelly Benefit Strategies, Current USA CRITS Series Best Young Rider
#41 - Mark Hekman, Team Mountain Khakis, Current USA CRITS Series Overall Leader

Top-Ranked Women's Professional NRC Teams Representing the Marion Classic:
#1 - Team TIBCO, www.teamtibco.com
#2 - Team Type 1, www.teamtype1.org
#3 - Team Colavita, www.teamcolavita.com
#4 - Webcor Builders Cycling Team, www.webcorcycling.com
#5 - ValueAct Capital Cycling Team, www.teamvalueactcapital.com
#7 - Team Lip Smackers, www.teamlipsmacker.com

Notable Top-Ranked NRC Women competing at the Marion Classic:
#3 - Catherine Cheatley (NZ), Team Colavita, represented New Zealand at 2008 Beijing Olympics
#5 - Joanne Kiesanowski (NZ), Team TIBCO, 8th Overall at 2008 World Championship Road Race in Varese, Italy
#9 - Tina Pic (USA), Team Colavita, 2009 US National Criterium Champion
#12 - Brooke Miller (USA), Team TIBCO, 2008 US National Road & Criterium Champion


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ABOUT THE MARION CLASSIC

The Marion Classic is in its 3rd year of operation.  The event was founded as a community initiative with the intent to help shift the social and economic climates and promote healthy living in Marion, Indiana.  The U-Build-It / MOB Squad Cycling Club of Indianapolis is the host club of the event.  Please direct all questions/comments/inquiries to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Visit the event website at www.marionclassic.com.


ABOUT THE USA CYCLING NATIONAL RACING CALENDAR

Recognized by the United States Olympic Committee and the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), USA Cycling is the official governing body for all disciplines of competitive cycling in the United States.  Currently in its 13th season, the National Racing Calendar (NRC) is the premier season-long road cycling series sanctioned and owned by USA Cycling.  With an overall ranking system that determines the best individual male and female cyclists, as well as the best teams in the U.S., the NRC features the nation's top Pro-Am events and boasts a total prize purse of $1.3 million.  The 26-race calendar is open to both professional and amateur cyclists and consists of all forms of competitive road cycling: multi-day stage races, criteriums, time trials, omniums, and single-day road and circuit races.  For more information on the NRC, visit www.usacycling.org/nrc.

 
 

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