E
Erik Mills
Guest
> PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>
> Contact: Jenn Ingersoll PR Director Tel. 917 693 4894 [email protected]
> www.seaotterclassic.com
>
>
> Sea Otter & Redlands to Combine Men's Elite Road Events 2004 Will Launch New Two-Week Stage Race
> in California
>
> MONTEREY, Calif. (Feb. 28, 2003) - Sea Otter Classic and Redlands Bicycle Classic are combining
> their Elite Men's Road Stage races in April 2004 for a joint venture, the American Cycling
> Classic, presented by the two promoting organizations.
>
> The new stage race, scheduled at the time of this release to kick off in Southern California on
> March 23, 2004, will travel through southern, central, and northern California, running in tandem
> with the Redlands Bicycle Classic en route to its finish at the Sea Otter Classic on April 3, 2004
> at the Laguna Seca Recreation Area in Monterey.
>
> Sea Otter Classic President and CEO Frank Yohannan cited several reasons for the merger. A primary
> reason for the decision is to promote a stage race in the US of international quality with an
> unrivalled sense of participatory inclusiveness.? According to Yohannan, the joint venture brings
> together a dynamic group of people with tremendous expertise and resources in a US cycle racing
> climate where such resources are limited.
>
> "Combining the Sea Otter and Redlands teams creates the most experienced, deepest pool of
> logistical race experience in America," explained Yohannan. "Operationally, this creates the
> strongest team in the land for media and marketing reach. The net result will be an organization
> that is on the cutting edge of cycling in the US."
>
> "This alliance is the perfect next step for both events and a big stride for cycling in the US,"
> said Redlands Bicycle Classic Executive Director and Co-founder Carole Beswick.
>
> The UCI event will include a minimum of 10 stages and one transfer day. Sea Otter Classic and
> Redlands Bicycle Classic will continue managing and running their additional activities and events
> individually. Sea Otter Classic will remain at the helm of its various MTB, women's road, amateur
> road, and festival activities, while Redlands Bicycle Classic will continue independently to own
> and run an elite women's stage race, amateur and public races, as well as fun rides.
>
> "This event will create two weeks of all-comers cycling, the magnitude of which has never before
> been seen in North America," said Rick Sutton, Sea Otter Classic chief operating officer. "It's
> poised to take two of the greatest community-based, amateur-fed international events and connect
> their two grand weekends of races and festivities, so everyone - amateurs, pros, adults, and kids
> - can participate together in two major weekends of riding, racing, recreating, and festivity."
>
> "Combining the talents of these two organizations will produce an event with a level of racing
> that is unprecedented in America due to its variety, history, and impact on cyclists of all ages,
> abilities, and interests," said Craig Kundig, Redlands Bicycle Classic marketing director. "Seeing
> the same team jerseys as in the Tour de France battle on the streets of California is what so many
> of us have worked toward over the last 19 years."
>
> "Not all race promotion groups are inclusive," said Sutton. "Everyone's welcome to participate in
> our events. Nowhere else in global cycling can amateurs watch pros race one day, then ride with
> them along the same course, trailed by official Mavic cars the next. This event is a true fantasy
> for riders of all stripes."
>
> Specific race details and plans are forthcoming and will be announced in October at International
> Bike Expo 2003 in Las Vegas. The 13th Annual Sea Otter Classic, powered by SRAM will be held April
> 9-13, 2003 at the Laguna Seca Recreation Area in Monterey, California, USA. Athletes are invited
> to visit www.seaotterclassic.com ?or call
> 530.661.9500 for complete race and festival information. Press inquiries should be directed to
> Jenn Ingersoll at 917.693.4894 or [email protected] .
>
> The 19th Annual Redlands Bicycle Classic, America's Premier Stage Race, will kick off April 1 and
> finish April 6, 2003, in Redlands, California. Additional events include amateur and public races
> as well as fun rides. Information is available at www.redlandsclassic.com . Press inquiries should
> be directed to Craig Kundig at 909.990.4637 or [email protected].
>
>
> END
>
> Contact: Jenn Ingersoll PR Director Tel. 917 693 4894 [email protected]
> www.seaotterclassic.com
>
>
> Sea Otter & Redlands to Combine Men's Elite Road Events 2004 Will Launch New Two-Week Stage Race
> in California
>
> MONTEREY, Calif. (Feb. 28, 2003) - Sea Otter Classic and Redlands Bicycle Classic are combining
> their Elite Men's Road Stage races in April 2004 for a joint venture, the American Cycling
> Classic, presented by the two promoting organizations.
>
> The new stage race, scheduled at the time of this release to kick off in Southern California on
> March 23, 2004, will travel through southern, central, and northern California, running in tandem
> with the Redlands Bicycle Classic en route to its finish at the Sea Otter Classic on April 3, 2004
> at the Laguna Seca Recreation Area in Monterey.
>
> Sea Otter Classic President and CEO Frank Yohannan cited several reasons for the merger. A primary
> reason for the decision is to promote a stage race in the US of international quality with an
> unrivalled sense of participatory inclusiveness.? According to Yohannan, the joint venture brings
> together a dynamic group of people with tremendous expertise and resources in a US cycle racing
> climate where such resources are limited.
>
> "Combining the Sea Otter and Redlands teams creates the most experienced, deepest pool of
> logistical race experience in America," explained Yohannan. "Operationally, this creates the
> strongest team in the land for media and marketing reach. The net result will be an organization
> that is on the cutting edge of cycling in the US."
>
> "This alliance is the perfect next step for both events and a big stride for cycling in the US,"
> said Redlands Bicycle Classic Executive Director and Co-founder Carole Beswick.
>
> The UCI event will include a minimum of 10 stages and one transfer day. Sea Otter Classic and
> Redlands Bicycle Classic will continue managing and running their additional activities and events
> individually. Sea Otter Classic will remain at the helm of its various MTB, women's road, amateur
> road, and festival activities, while Redlands Bicycle Classic will continue independently to own
> and run an elite women's stage race, amateur and public races, as well as fun rides.
>
> "This event will create two weeks of all-comers cycling, the magnitude of which has never before
> been seen in North America," said Rick Sutton, Sea Otter Classic chief operating officer. "It's
> poised to take two of the greatest community-based, amateur-fed international events and connect
> their two grand weekends of races and festivities, so everyone - amateurs, pros, adults, and kids
> - can participate together in two major weekends of riding, racing, recreating, and festivity."
>
> "Combining the talents of these two organizations will produce an event with a level of racing
> that is unprecedented in America due to its variety, history, and impact on cyclists of all ages,
> abilities, and interests," said Craig Kundig, Redlands Bicycle Classic marketing director. "Seeing
> the same team jerseys as in the Tour de France battle on the streets of California is what so many
> of us have worked toward over the last 19 years."
>
> "Not all race promotion groups are inclusive," said Sutton. "Everyone's welcome to participate in
> our events. Nowhere else in global cycling can amateurs watch pros race one day, then ride with
> them along the same course, trailed by official Mavic cars the next. This event is a true fantasy
> for riders of all stripes."
>
> Specific race details and plans are forthcoming and will be announced in October at International
> Bike Expo 2003 in Las Vegas. The 13th Annual Sea Otter Classic, powered by SRAM will be held April
> 9-13, 2003 at the Laguna Seca Recreation Area in Monterey, California, USA. Athletes are invited
> to visit www.seaotterclassic.com ?or call
> 530.661.9500 for complete race and festival information. Press inquiries should be directed to
> Jenn Ingersoll at 917.693.4894 or [email protected] .
>
> The 19th Annual Redlands Bicycle Classic, America's Premier Stage Race, will kick off April 1 and
> finish April 6, 2003, in Redlands, California. Additional events include amateur and public races
> as well as fun rides. Information is available at www.redlandsclassic.com . Press inquiries should
> be directed to Craig Kundig at 909.990.4637 or [email protected].
>
>
> END
