PROVIDENCE, R.I. (BRAIN)—The Providence Cyclo-cross Festival Presented by Interbike will return to historic Roger Williams Park on Oct. 8-10, 2010.
“We’re building on the success of last year’s event and adding a number of elements that promise to build up to a larger Columbus Day tradition,” said Richard Fries, marketing communications director, in a press release. “We have perhaps the greatest venue in America, solid support from Providence, and one of the strongest cycling markets in the world.”
Additionally the promoters of the Rhode Island event have forged a promotional partnership with the Grand Prix of Gloucester, the premier cyclo-cross event in Massachusetts.
“The promoters at Providence have so much experience doing high-level events and we have so much tradition with our event in Gloucester, how could we not form a partnership with them?” said Paul Boudreau, promoter of the Grand Prix of Gloucester, held one weekend prior. “We’re working together to make this a fantastic week for cycling during the best time of the year in New England.”
The event will open on Friday, Oct. 8, with a dealer-only exposition presented by Interbike. The expo will open for consumers the next two days, Oct. 9 and 10. Saturday and Sunday will also feature UCI International cyclo-cross racing featuring some of the top competitors in the world. Last year’s event saw wins by Katerina Nash of the Czech Republic and five-time U.S. champion Tim Johnson.
The lure of the Roger Willliams course, used for the national championships in 2005 and 2006, is its unique terrain and course features.
“I loved racing on this course during the national championships but have to admit that racing there in October last season was even better,” said Tim Johnson of Massachusetts.
Other attractions to this year’s event will include:
· The New England Bike-Ped Summit. Organized by the Providence-based East Coast Greenway Alliance, this summit will draw bicycle advocates and government planners from throughout the six-state region. The summit will be held Thursday, Oct. 7.
· Kids races and The Family Zone. Kids of all ages will be invited to bike rodeos in the expo and racing on portions of the pro course. Vendors will also be showcasing many family friendly cycling products.
· The Retailers Breakfast. Bike shop owners from throughout the Northeast will be invited to a special breakfast on Friday morning at Roger Williams Park to learn about the latest developments from leaders of the bicycle industry and advocacy efforts to improve cycling in the region.
· The Builders’ Ball. New England is world renowned for its custom bicycle manufacturers. Those builders will rendezvous in Downtown Providence on Friday evening to show off their wares in a festive atmosphere.
The Providence Cyclo-cross Festival Presented by Interbike will be held Oct. 9 and 10 at Roger Williams Park in Providence, R.I. Both days feature racing on the course used for the 2005 and 2006 U.S. National Championships. The event is internationally sanctioned by the UCI.
The industry expo of the Providence Cyclo-cross Festival Presented by Interbike will take place from Friday to Sunday, October 8-10, 2010 in Roger Williams Park, Providence, RI. Friday is reserved for members of the Bicycle industry only. The public is welcome to the expo on Saturday and Sunday, where the industry leaders will show off the products being introduced for 2011.
