Top Professional Cyclists Return to Georgia for Historic Roswell Criterium

11 Races in One Day Include Children’s Event and Two Junior Races

The 8th Annual Historic Roswell Criterium returns on Sunday, April 26, 2009 with a full day of bicycle racing that includes many of the nation's top professional cyclists. With the cancellation of the Tour de Georgia this year, the Historic Roswell Criterium remains the only national, spring-time bicycle race in metro Atlanta, and the best bet for race fans to watch these elite professionals in action.

Since the first event in 2001, the Historic Roswell Criterium has grown to hosting over 450 elite racers, 350 Mayor's Ride participants and 5,000 spectators. The event attracts some of the best cycling talent from across the Southeast and abroad. In 2003 American Jonas Carney won the men's Pro 1/2 category event (the top race for professional men), and no American has won the event since. Professional riders from Australia, New Zealand and Canada have dominated the podium in the eight-year history of the criterium, including Tour de Georgia stage winner Gord Fraser (CAN), who won twice for Health Net presented by Maxxis.

This year watch the front of the Peloton to include riders from national teams like OUCH, Fly V Australia, Team Type I, Team Hotel San Jose, and Kelly Benefit. Team OUCH features John Murphy, who lives in Athens, Ga., and finished 5th overall last year in the National Racing Calendar (NRC) points competition. His teammate, Karl Menzies of Australia, looks strong this year with a second-place finish this month in Tour of the Battenkill (N.Y.). The new Fly V Australia presented by Successful Living Foundation team is bringing Bernie Sulzberger, the reigning Australian Crit Champion, and Jonathan Cantwell (formerly with Jittery Joe's), a sprinter who won a stage at Redlands Bicycle Classic in March. Team Type 1 will bring a large team to Roswell, led by racers/team founders Joe Eldridge and Phil Southerland, both who live in Atlanta, Ga.

On the women's side, Georgia's own Tina Mayolo-Pic has mastered the field of the Women's Pro race by winning five out of seven years. Pic, who resides in Buford, Ga., is a five-time U.S. National Criterium champion and won the NRC women's title for a fifth time in 2008. Pic is expected to return this Sunday to defend her 2008 title, racing for Colavita/Sutter Home Pro Cycling. One of her top competitors will be two-time NRC winner and 2006 Historic Roswell champion Laura van Gilder, racing this week for Mellow Mushroom.

All races for the Historic Roswell Criterium will take place on the one-mile route that features a start/finish on Canton Street at Founder's Hall. This year's event will be part of the USA Crits Speed Week for professional cyclists from across North America, and the Georgia Cycling Grand Prix (a 12-race series). Speed Week, which offers $120,000 in prize money, is sanctioned by USA Cycling and is promoted by Swagger LLC, which also produces the Athens Twilight Criterium. Over $15,000 in prize money will be up for grabs in Roswell alone. Races in Roswell will begin at 11:00 a.m. with a Juniors event, and finish at 6:00 p.m. with the featured Men's Pro 1/2 event, which should finish close to 7:30 p.m.

The registration fees for junior, elite and professional races range from $35 to $50, and are for experienced cyclists only. The Children's Bicycle Safety Rodeo, managed by the Kiwanis Club of Historic Roswell, is free for children six to 12. Children who complete the Rodeo are invited to participate in the Shimano Youth Series races, held following the Women's Pro event on the pro race course. There are also recreational bicycle activities at 8:00 a.m. Sunday morning, with ride options of six to 64 miles with the Mayor's Ride. The Family Ride at 8:00 a.m. from East Roswell Park is free.

Visit www.roswellkiwanis.org/BikeRodeo2008.html for more information on the Rodeo.
Visit wwww.bikeroswell.com for more information on Mayor's Ride.
Visit www.roswellcriterium.comfor more information on Pro Races.

Eighth Consecutive Year Historic Roswell to Host National Bicycle Races

Popular Mayor's Ride Returns for Families at Georgia Event

The 8th Annual Historic Roswell Criterium returns on Sunday, April 26, 2009 with a full schedule of events for professional cyclists and area residents. This year the event will be part of the USA Crits Speed Week racing series for elite athletes. Since 2001, the Historic Roswell Criterium has established itself firmly as one of the top single-day races in the United States, with 10 categorized contests for amateur and professional athletes. For local families and residents, the event has grown to a full-day festival, including a morning recreational adult bike ride with Mayor Jere Wood, an afternoon bicycle safety rodeo for children, and retail specials at local shops throughout the day.

"We are proud that the Historic Roswell Criterium continues to be a solid community event on the calendar in the metro area. The event attracts thousands of participants and spectators to this beautiful area each spring. It not only promotes healthy lifestyles, but it helps drive economic impact for Historic Roswell, bringing people back to eat and shop at local businesses throughout the year," said Michael Johnson, race director and member of Roswell Velo, Inc., the cycling club that handles logistics of the races.

Sunday, April 26, will begin with a recreational bicycle ride for all levels of cyclists, the Roswell Mayor's Ride. There are four ride options, ranging from six miles to 64 miles, with the start of the ride receiving an escort from Roswell Police. Rest stops are provided along the route, with commemorative t-shirts to all who register prior to April 20 Last year close to 350 people participated in the event, and raised awareness for Bike Roswell!, the grassroots organization that helped the city gain national recognition as a bronze-level Bicycle Friendly Community. Advanced registration is $20 per individual, or $45 for a family of four. More information can be found at www.bikeroswell.com.

Beginning at 11:00 a.m., a series of 10 bicycle races will take place on the one-mile route in Historic Roswell. The 2009 event will be part of the USA Crits Speed Week for professional cyclists from across North America, and the Georgia Cycling Grand Prix (a 12-race series). Speed Week, which offers $120,000 in prize money, is sanctioned by USA Cycling and is promoted by Swagger LLC, which also produces the Athens Twilight Criterium. Over $15,000 in prize money will be up for grabs in Roswell alone. The start line will again be in front of Founder's Hall on Canton Street and races will run from 11:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

While there are registration fees to participate in the races (from $35 to $50), it will be complimentary for children to participate in the Bicycle Rodeo and for spectators to watch the races. The Children's Bicycle Safety Rodeo will be managed by the Kiwanis Club of Historic Roswell and is supported by Roswell Bicycles. Children can also participate in the Shimano Youth Series races. The youth races are complimentary to any children who complete the Rodeo and are held following the Women's Pro event, on the same race course. While not the fastest races of the day, the youth races are some of the most entertaining.

Registration and event information is available at http://www.roswellcriterium.com/. Limited sponsorship opportunities are available for the Historic Roswell Criterium. For information on sponsorship packages contact Michael Johnson at mwjhome@gmail.com.
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