2010 Tour de Murrieta is Ready to Roll
2/18/10 - What was once considered a European sport is now attracting the world’s best cycling teams to the
United States! Murrieta and Southern California residents can share in the excitement in their own backyard!
The city of Murrieta’s CA Pools/DeWalt Cycling Team is a dedicated group of men and women committed to promoting the sport of cycling and bringing highly intense, competitive racing here to the Murrieta Valley. The team consists primarily of local Murrieta/Temecula and San Diego County residents who compete at all levels of abilities. Team members compete in categories against professional riders including ex-Olympians.
The 2010 Tour de Murrieta will be held March 12-14 and will feature some of the most competitive race teams in California. This USCF sanctioned, 3-day race will consist of a time trial held on March 12, an event also known as the "race of truth" as riders compete individually against the clock, a lightning fast-Grand Prix on a 1-mile course on Saturday, March 13, and a circuit race on a 3.5 mile course on Sunday, March 14. The riders will be competing for the coveted Leader’s/Champion’s Jersey awarded to the fastest overall rider in each category.
Up and coming professionals along with the area's top amateurs will compete in the Pro/Elite 1-2 category. There will also be 9 different categories with men and women of all racing abilities competing for spots on the podium. On Saturday, March 13 there will be a kids’ race where youngsters 12 and under can participate in a closely supervised fun race on the same criterium race course as the Pros. Registration is free with the donation of a canned food item which will be donated to a local food pantry. Medals will be awarded to all participants! Have the kids bring their bikes, helmets and enthusiasm on race day to take part in the action!
Leading the way in the Pro/Elite Category is the UnitedHealthcare presented by-Maxxis team, which will be searching for training miles in preparation for the Tour de California, the great Southern California weather, and overall victory for Team leader Rory Sutherland (2007 and 2008 NRC champion, and 2009 VeloNews Roadie of the Year). Team Director, Mike Tamayo says, "The Tour de Murrieta will provide the team with an opportunity to test their legs, their time trial bikes and equipment, as well as participate in a very well organized event. It’s great to be part of an event that has attracted prominent teams and riders in the past. We know it will provide a good challenge for our guys."
The 4th Annual Tour de Murrieta promises to be one of the best events held yet. Saturday’s course will be held in or around Historic Downtown Murrieta and will provide excellent racing and places to view the event. As seen during the 2009 event, people will line the streets or sit and eat curbside, as they enjoy fast bicycle racing. Once again, and with the support of City of Murrieta officials, an exposition area will be held at Murrieta Senior Center located at Juniper and Adams Street. Come out and enjoy the food booths, jumping house for the kids, and several cycling industry vendors will be displaying recently released products.
Saturday’s start/finish line will be located on Juniper and Adams Street, admission is free, so come out and watch highly skilled cyclists maneuver their state of the art bikes at speeds reaching 40 mph. Racing for both days begins at 7:30 a.m. with the Saturday’s kids’ race scheduled for 11:50 a.m. Registration will take place at the Murrieta Senior Center. more info >
