3.21.08
CITY GEARS UP FOR 2008 COMMERCE BANK READING CLASSIC
March
21,
2008: Officials
are again gearing up for what has become the city’s largest
single-day, free, sporting event, the Commerce Bank Reading
Classic, this year on Thursday, June 5th. This world-class
professional cycling race is the second leg of the Commerce
Bank Triple Crown of Cycling series and features nearly
200 of the sport’s professional athletes competing for
the leader’s jersey. As in previous years, the demanding
75-mile race is sure to push the international peloton
to its limit over the course of 11 laps on a challenging
7.6-mile circuit that connects downtown with Mt. Penn.
New
Start Times
This
year marks the third consecutive year that Reading will
host the event, and a few changes are in store to maximize
the experience for everyone. For starters, the races will
begin an hour earlier than in years past. The Elite Amateur
Men’s race will start at 10 a.m.; the Pro Women will go
off at 11:15 a.m.; and the featured international Pro
Men’s race will begin at 1 p.m.
“The
earlier start means an earlier finish, which will be good
news for rush hour traffic in and around the city as people
are heading home both from the event and from work,” said
Jerry Casale, chief operating officer of Pro Cycling Tour,
organizers of the Commerce Bank Triple Crown of Cycling.
“That’s as important to Pro Cycling Tour as it is to the
city of Reading because we really strive to make a major
event like this as easy as possible for people to implement,
experience and live with so that we’re invited back year
after year.”
“We
always look forward to the cyclists coming back to town,”
said Reading Mayor Thomas McMahon. “The Commerce Bank
Reading Classic is among the most prestigious events on
the international cycling calendar, and we’re very proud
of that fact. We appreciate what the race brings to Reading
in terms of tourism and event dollars spent here, but
we especially love the sense of community and involvement
it creates for our residents and their families. And it
should not be overlooked that the race costs nothing to
be a spectator. Simply take a spot along the race course,
and enjoy the action!”
Be
A Part of the Action
From
volunteering opportunities and VIP areas to the Lifestyle
Expo and Fun Zones, there are a variety of ways to become
a part of race day.
Volunteer.
The public is invited to experience the excitement of
professional cycling first-hand by volunteering with Pro
Cycling Tour. Hundreds of volunteers will be needed as
course marshals, stage crew, foreign language interpreters,
drivers and support for hospitality and public relations.
For more information about volunteer positions, go to
www.procyclingtour.com and click on the Volunteers link.
Go
to the Zones. Reading’s Family Fun Zones offer food vendors,
live music and entertainment and some of the best vantage
points for viewing the race. City Park Fun Zone is located
right at the cyclists’ feed zone and provides a great
spot for watching their climb up Duryea Drive. The Centre
Park Fun Zone is situated on a long, uphill straight-away
on Centre Avenue and new this year will be a Downtown
Fun Zone which will put spectators in close proximity
to the thrills of the start/finish line on Penn Street.
WEEU-830AM radio also broadcasts live from each of the
Fun Zone spots.
In
addition, Mayor McMahon hinted that details will soon
be forthcoming on exciting new activities that the community
will be invited to participate in on the day of the races.
Be
A VIP. Exclusive VIP ticket areas can bring you even closer
to the racing action and are complete with course-side
hospitality in the private, gated Champion’s Club tent;
and private restrooms. For more information, go to www.procyclingtour.com
today and click on the Tickets link.
Show
Off at Expo. Products and services that appeal to active
adults and families should be sampled and demonstrated
at Pro Cycling Tour’s Lifestyle Expo, which will be located
on Penn Street near the start/finish line. “Expo is a
great opportunity for companies, retailers and community
organizations to talk directly with their customers in
a distinctive sporting environment,” said Casale. “If
people have questions about bicycles, cycling gear or
fitness, Expo is where they go.” For more information
on Expo space, go to www.procyclingtour.com
and click on the Expo link.
