The 8th Annual Tour de Murrieta, recently recognized as one of Southern California’s fastest growing three day cycling events is just around the corner, March 8-10, 2013, and will feature some of the most competitive race teams in California.
Back by popular demand is Stage 1, the We All Ride time trial which will be held on Friday, March 8, and like no other time trial in Southern CA, its European style terrain consisting primarily of paved roadway and a 1.2 mile portion of unpaved/hard compact dirt will be challenging to all riders. Saturday’s Stage 2, Jax Bicycles /Rabobank Grandprix and Stage 3, Sunday’s Rabobank/Jax Bicycles Circuit Race courses remain unchanged, with Saturday offering a lightning fast-1-mile course in Historic Downtown Murrieta, and Sunday’s circuit a rolling 3.5 mile course. Come experience the courses the Pros will ride in May when the Amgen Tour of California comes into town!
The courses remain downtown, with Saturday’s event hosting a festival atmosphere including an exposition area, free energy drinks, music, a jumpy house for the kids and much more. Once again, highlighting this year’s event will be the Nature Valley Pro Chase Race Qualifier, also known as the American Idol of Cycling. Based on performance, Men category 1 and Women 1-2 race participants will be vying for an opportunity to race at the Nature Valley Grand Prix, where they will receive free race entries, travel subsidies, media appearances, host housing, coaching, team staff support, ground transportation and team kit. In 2012, Tour de Murrieta participants Connor McCutcheon and Trina Jacobson were selected and Connor’s results at Nature Valley which included wearing the Best Young Rider Jersey and ultimately finishing 3rd in the same competition has earned him a spot on a professional team in 2013! Are you next?
“Our commitment is to continue promoting the sport of cycling while also supporting local cyclists who are aspiring to earn a professional contract,” said Race Technical Director Ernie Sanchez. “There is no doubt that our race has gained national attention and contributed to the Amgen Tour of California coming to town in May 2013,” he said. With the races growth, the race has added a professional timing/result services which includes software that will provide competitors with immediate and live results, neutral support from Zipp/SRAM, and an atmosphere that compares to no other!
An event to not overlook is the ever so popular Pacific Western Bank – Kid’s Race held on Saturday, March 9, at 12:05 p.m. This event steals the show, it’s free however kids are asked to bring a canned food item to benefit a local food pantry. The success of the Jorge Alvarado Team Competition continues to expand and once again the presenting sponsor The Bike Shop is ready to present the winning teams with hand crafted crystal awards.
For more information about specific times, registration and locations log onto SoCalCycling.com or CaPoolsRacing.org/tdm.
