1.31.08
PRO CYCLING TOUR SELECTS LEHIGH VALLEY AS INTERNATIONAL
BICYCLE RACE SITE
January
31,
2008: Pro
Cycling Tour, LLC, organizers of the Commerce Bank
Triple Crown of Cycling, announced that the Lehigh
Valley will host the first leg of the 2008 three-event
international professional cycling series to take
place on June 3rd , 5th and 8th. The 24th annual
Philadelphia International Cycling Championship
will continue to anchor what became an all-Pennsylvania
series in 2006. Allentown will replace Lancaster
as the kick-off event on June 3rd at 2pm, with Reading
hosting the second leg, for the third consecutive
year on June 5th.
The Commerce Bank
Triple Crown is recognized nationally and internationally
as America’s most prestigious series of professional
road races, attracting many of the top professional
and elite male and female cyclists from some 25
foreign countries. The Lehigh Valley Classic will
feature three events including a short criterium
race for elite amateur men and a similar race for
elite women – both to be held in downtown Allentown
– and the international men’s professional road
race of approximately 90 miles, which will be conducted
on a longer circuit route through the city. International
rules require the men’s race to be held over a multi-lap
circuit of at least 10 kilometers per lap. The course
will have its main staging area and start/finish
line on Hamilton Blvd. in downtown Allentown.
Commerce Bank, title
sponsor of the Triple Crown, welcomes the Lehigh
Valley as the first event for the series.
“Commerce Bank is
thrilled to be part of this exciting new event in
the Lehigh Valley. This is an excellent opportunity
for Commerce to partner with the City of Allentown,
Pro Cycling Tour, Lehigh County and the Lehigh Valley
Convention and Visitors Bureau to stage a world-class
event that will showcase the entire region,” said
Commerce Bank Chief Marketing Officer, John Cunningham.
"Lehigh County
is pleased to be a partner in the first Commerce
Bank Lehigh Valley Classic," said Don Cunningham,
Lehigh County Executive. "Lehigh County has
a rich heritage in cycling and we're proud to help
bring this exciting event to our region."
"This is yet
another sign that Downtown Allentown is becoming
a destination for unique events that highlight the
ongoing revival of our city," said Mayor Ed
Pawlowski. "Allentown offers tremendous entertainment,
sports and recreation opportunities."
“We are very excited
about bringing the race to the Lehigh Valley”, said
David Chauner, president of Pro Cycling Tour and
one of the founders of the Philadelphia race, which
began in 1985. Chauner is a former Allentown resident
who also helped manage the Lehigh County Velodrome
with Bob Rodale and Jack Simes from 1975 to 1978.
He also is an Olympic cyclist who raced in the 1968
and 1972 Olympics. “The velodrome in Trexlertown
and the many local clubs and races in the area make
this a hotbed for cycling and the ideal venue for
our event.”
In addition to Commerce
Bank, the Triple Crown is sponsored by the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania. According to Pennsylvania Governor
Ed Rendell, “This is one of the most important and
exciting annual sporting events in our state and
the nation and a unique regional treasure. The series
supports our initiatives to promote the benefits
of physical fitness, provide economic benefit to
the region and foster civic pride for our citizens.”
