VeloNews Race & Ride Guide Features Oregon Events

Oregon continues to grow its reputation as a bicycle racing mecca, with the folks at VeloNews recently adding to the legend. No less than three Oregon events earned mention in the 2009 VeloNews Race & Ride Guide, a compilation of the nation's best races that hit subscribers' mailboxes last week.

The section covering the nation's best amateur stage races features both the Mt. Hood Cycling Classic and the freshly minted Cascade Stage Race. And, not surprisingly, the Southern Oregon Time Trial Series gets a nod among the nation's best hillcimbs and time trials.

The reviews are glowing. Here's a little taste of what they had to say about the stage races:

Mt. Hood Cycling Classic:
Considered among the toughest road stage races in the U.S., this climbers' delight has gained a cult following in the amateur cycling world. ... Don't get too upset if you get dropped. The consolation prize for slower riders is a leisurely spin in one of the country's most beautiful places.

Cascade Stage Race:
After years of being joined with the Cascade Cycling Classic, this long-running amateur event will separate from the national Racing Calendar race in 2009. But don't fret, you'll still be riding the same roads as the pros. On the menu is a three-day, four-stage race (TT, crit, and two road races) covering 175 miles and 10,000 feet of climbing.

Women's Prestige Series Includes Oregon Race

Promoters of the Women's Prestige Cycling Series announced today that Oregon's Cascade Cycling Classic will be the final event of the 2009 series schedule.

The Bend area stage race, which runs July 22-26, is one of two new events added for this year's series. The Joe Martin Stage Race, May 7-10, has also been included.

"The Cascade Cycling Classic, which is a new addition to the series, will make an excellent grand finale," said series director David LaPorte. "It’s an epic stage race with challenging mountain climbs that will really sort out the final (series) standings. And, coming right before the USA Cycling National Championships held in the same location, all the top teams can be expected to attend."

Riders in the series compete in four different divisions: individual, best young rider, best sprinter and top teams. Leaders in the first three classifications will wear leader’s jerseys provided by Champion Systems, one of the series sponsors.

Kat Carroll (Aaron’s Pro Cycling), took the individual and sprinter’s jerseys in 2008, while her teammate Alison Testroete took the best young rider’s jersey. Aaron’s Pro Cycling also won the top team prize in 2008.

The Women’s Prestige Cycling Series, which began in 2004, promotes women’s racing by providing a spotlight that the women don’t have to share with men. The series highlights events that have made the major commitment to women’s racing.

2009 Women's Prestige Cycling Series Scedule

March 26-29 - Redlands Bicycle Classic
May 7-10 – Joe Martin Stage Race
June 10-14 - Nature Valley Grand Prix
July 22-26 – Cascade Cycling Classic

Visit http://www.WomenCyclists.com for more information.