U.S. Air Force Cycling Classic
Press:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: February 28, 2008
Contact: Danielle Piacente
Danielle@lindarothpr.com
703.417.2702
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Three Service Academies to Race at U.S. Air Force Cycling Classic
Team Time Trials and Street Sprints Showcase Collegiate Squads
Arlington, VA [April 24, 2008] – The military academies at West Point, Annapolis and Colorado Springs will showcase their collegiate teams on a grand stage as a special part of the U.S. Air Force Cycling Classic on May 4, 2008. The Army, Navy and Air Force Cadets will compete for bragging rights of the Academy Shoot-Out presented by Northrop Grumman, the beginning of what will surely be a long-running tradition.
The race format will highlight both team strength as well as individual skills. The race will kick-off shortly after the conclusion of the Crystal Ride, the participatory ride that opens the U.S. Air Force Cycling Classic. Each academy will field three all-male squads and one all-female squad of four and three riders respectively. All squads will compete in a Team Time Trial for two laps of the 12.5 kilometer course, with points awarded based on times that go towards the academies’ overall score.
Then, between laps of the Men’s Pro race, three men from each academy will participate in a sprint competition. The sprints will be held on the final 200 meters of the course in Crystal City. Preliminary heats of two riders going head to head will set the stage for the final sprint, bringing the top three riders together to determine 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. The women will do one three-up race to determine their winner.
The points earned in each event will be totaled to determine the overall winning academy. General Moseley, the Air Force Chief of Staff, will present the first annual All Academy Shoot-Out Trophy.
“These teams are very excited to come together in the first competition of its kind,” said Robert Laybourn, President of Arlington Sports and event director. “They have met before at various races across the country, but never head-to-head in this kind of format.”
The Team Time Trials will begin at 10:30am and will start and finish at the U.S. Air Force Memorial. The street sprints will take place in the Crystal City portion of the course between 12:30pm and 2pm.
More information on the event is available on the website at www.USAirForceCyclingClassic.com.
Cycling enthusiast of all abilities will be able to participate in the Crystal Ride event, held at 7am. The ride will begin and end at the U.S. Air Force Memorial, and participants will be able to ride on the 12.5 kilometer circuit through Crystal City that will challenge them to complete up to 100 kilometers.
About the Crystal City Business Improvement District: Established in April of 2006, the Crystal City Business Improvement District (BID) is creating a soul for Crystal City. A public-private partnership, the BID is providing a higher level of service to visitors, workers and residents in Crystal City, driving to become world-class destination in both Arlington and the greater DC region. For more information, visit www.crystalcity.org.
About Arlington Sports, Inc: A Virginia based 501(c)3 non-profit; Arlington Sports, Inc. (ASI) is dedicated to the promotion and development of professional and amateur bike racing. For additional information on the U.S. Air Force Cycling Classic and other ASI events, please visit www.arlingtonsports.org.
