| Subject: | FW: Alpenrose Challenge |
| Date: | 07/12/2005 07:06 AM |
| From: | Candi Murray |
|
For immediate release: There is a bike race in France which is attracting the media's attention currently. The Tour de France is the premier road race in the world showcasing the endurance of road racing athletes Portland will be hosting a race that will showcase the other end of the spectrum of bike racing; the pure speed of track racing on the velodrome. International caliber bike racing is returning to the Alpenrose Velodrome July 15 through 17 The Oregon Bicycle Racing Association, in conjunction with the fine folks at Alpenrose Dairy, is hosting the bicycle track racing event with the largest cash prize lists in the nation this year. Unlike most bike racing, track racing at the velodrome is a spectator sport. The velodrome is a stadium type venue that allows you to see the entire course of the race. Here in Portland we have the tradition of fast, exciting track racing at Alpenrose which is one of the steepest tracks in North America with its 42 degree banking and fast drop-offs in the turns. Track racers fly around the velodrome on bikes with one gear and no brakes at speeds of 40 mph plus. They seem to defy gravity as they ride the steep banking, which is as high as a two-story building at the rail. Each race is short and the action is fast and furious. Stephan Alfred, formerly from Trinidad but now a US citizen and the US National Sprint Champion will be returning to try to repeat his win in the Sprints. He will have a tough time as he will be racing against Josiah Ng, a member of the Malaysia National Team who is ranked second in the world in the keirin. Erin Mirabella, the bronze medalist in the Points Race at the Athens Olympics as well as Becky Quinn, US Worlds team member will also both be there. Portland's own Larssyn Staley, World Champion in the Junior Points race will also be competing. The racing begins at 10:00 AM for the morning session and at 4:00 PM for the evening session both weekend days. There will be timed event racing on Friday, at 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM for the fanatical bike race spectator. There will be food available for spectators all day supplied by Pizzicato Gourmet Pizza and Sals Famous Italian Kitchen. There will be live music during the intermission between race session with the band Six Fingers provided by River City Bicycle's Dave Guettler. The velodrome is at the Alpenrose Dairy, 6149 SW Shattuck Road just south of the Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway in Raleigh Hills. Spectator admission is free. Contact: Mike Murray Phone: 503-661-5874 Velodrome: (503) 246-0330 E-Mail: mike.m-@obra.org Web: www.alpenrosechallenge.com |
