Press Release
Toyota-United Pro Cycling to Vie For Criterium Series
Championship
Registration Open For USA CRITS 2006
March 17, 2006
The inaugural USA Crits 2006 criterium series is drawing America's top teams to compete for a championship title and their share of a $75,000 prize purse. Confirmed for competition is Toyota-United Pro Cycling, a new U.S. team that has exploded onto the domestic circuit during its debut season.
Scheduled to compete for the Toyota-United Pro Cycling squad are Juan Jose Haedo, winner of two stages at the 2006 Tour of California and winner of the 2005 Bank of American Criterium; Ivan Dominguez, who wore the leader's jersey in the 2004 Tour de Georgia and was also champion of the 2004 Bank of America Criterium; and former USPS rider Antonio Cruz.
The Athens Twilight is part of USA Crits 2006, a six-race series set for April 29 through May 6 in cities throughout the southeastern United States.
The series, which will be held a week after the Tour de Georgia, combines well-established races in Georgia, South Carolina and Alabama, and offers top national and international riders a chance to race for an additional $75,000 in prize money. Also up for grabs is the championship title with a cash prize and a $10,000 overall series payout. The strategic place on the calendar and large prize purse is expected to result in the most competitive crit racing in 2006.
The series will use a points structure to establish a definitive consistent criterium racing champion, with awards for the overall points leader, the top three teams, individual awards for the top 25 overall places, and the rider with the most laps lead. Jerseys will be presented at each race for Points Leader, Race Winner, Lap Leader, Young Rider Leader, and Best In State.
Riders must be entered in all six races to be eligible for omnium points. Teams may register for the Athens, Walterboro, Greenwood, Spartanburg and Anniston races at www.gobike1.com. Registration for the Roswell race is separate and may be done at www.nalleyhrc.com.
Host housing for the events is available on a limited basis to early registrants. For more information on registration, host housing, or booking a school appearance, contact Andra Whitworth at andra@usacrits.com.
USA CRITS 2006 SCHEDULE
April 29 - Athens Twilight Athens, GA
April 30 - Nalley Historic Roswell Criterium Roswell, GA
May 3 - Walterboro Criterium Walterboro, SC
May 4 - Greenwood Criterium Greenwood, SC
May 5 - SmithBarney Classic Criterium - Spartanburg, SC
May 6 - Sunny King Criterium Anniston, Ala
Contact: Andra Whitworth (706)316-1995 andra@usacrits.com Registration: www.gobike1.com