San Dimas Stage Race Offers Great Racing for Riders and Spectators March 25-27

2/10/11 - World class professional, talented amateur, and for the first time Junior (17-18), cyclists from around the world are signing to compete in the 12th annual San Dimas Stage Race (SDSR). The highly regarded SDSR, hosted by local bike club SC Velo, is scheduled for March 25th-27th. Three exciting stages of racing are scheduled as well as Kids Races on the last day.  Over 800 professional and amateur cyclists are expected to compete for cash prizes.

The race attracts a high caliber of national and international talent, drawn by the good weather to sharpen their form at the start of the season. The list of winners includes Olympians, national and world champions from top pro teams: Tom Danielson, Chris Horner, Scott Moninger, and Ben Day. The women’s list is no less impressive: Amber Neben, Ina Yoko Teutenberg, Christine Thorburn and Lyne Bessette.

Stage 1 consists of Individual Time Trial on a 3.8 mile course that winds its way up Glendora Mountain Road.  This stage is an all out effort by the riders to get the best time up the ten hairpin turns and steepest parts of Glendora Mountain Road. With the size of the field, it will be a long day of racing, with the first rider starting at 9:00 AM and the last one going out in the late afternoon.

Stage 2 will be a Road Race around Bonelli Park sponsored by San Dimas Hospital. The course is on a rolling and twisting 7 mile circuit which includes a two short, but steep, grades. The riders will make several loops around the course, with the overall racing distances varying from 28 to 84 miles, depending upon category. The first group starts at 7:55 AM and the Pro men at 1:15 PM. The best spots for viewing the race will be along Puddingstone Avenue at the  Start/Finish area and inside Bonelli Park along Via Verde.

Stage 3: The race winds up with a Criterium around the streets of Old Town San Dimas and is sponsored by Incycle bicycle stores and Cannondale bikes.  The racers will ride quick loops around a tight, 1.2 mile circuit with 6 sharp corners, for times varying from 25 to 90 minutes depending upon their category. The first group will start at 8:15 AM and the last group will start at 3:00 PM. For spectators, this will be an up-close and fast race, with lots of good viewing spots around the tree lined course.

The Kids Races will be a fun event hosted on Sunday, March 27th, at 12:30 PM in downtown San Dimas. Sponsored by Shimano, the races are free to all children, so get your kids’ bikes out and ready to ride. Please note that helmets are mandatory. Registration for the Kids Races will be held on-site in San Dimas on Sunday morning.

All of these events offer great opportunities for participation by cyclists of all levels, as well as wonderful viewing for cycling fans. There are no fees for spectators, just pick a spot along the race route and be prepared to see some exciting racing. For the photographically inclined, the photo-ops will be unparalleled, with lots of up-close action, so bring your cameras.

Please visit SCVelo.com for more information about the race, registration, and lodging.