Le Tour DeSales to be held Sat. & Sun., July 1 & 2
Le Tour DeSales Collegiate Bicycling Race will be held Saturday and Sunday, July 1 and 2, on the DeSales University Easton and Center Valley campuses. The inaugural two-stage event is sponsored by DeSales University, the International Cycling Center (ICC), and the Lehigh Wheelmen Association. The event is open to college students across the country and offers cash prizes totaling $4,000, plus a Scott USA bicycle valued at $7,300. Food and entertainment will follow the race. Registration is currently in progress, with a limited field of 100 participants and first come first served.
Please Note: There will be a media opportunity at 9:30 a.m., Sunday, July 2, outside of Billera Hall, at the conclusion of the collegiate women's race and before the collegiate men's race. At that time, members of the media will have the opportunity to talk with various racers and promoters.
On Saturday, July 1, Le Tour DeSales will be held on Emrick Blvd. at the DeSales Easton campus. Collegiate women will race at 4:40 p.m. for 50 minutes. Collegiate men will race at 5:30 p.m. for 60 minutes. Racers will ride clockwise on a one-mile big ring loop on a smooth surface with a slight uphill and complete two sweeping and two 90-degree corners.
On Sunday, July 2, Le Tour DeSales will be held on the DeSales main campus in Center Valley at Billera Hall. Collegiate women will race at 8:15 a.m. for 40 minutes. Collegiate men will race at 10:55 a.m. for 50 minutes. Racers will ride clockwise and complete a 2.45 mile loop on a newly paved road with a short climb.
Points for Traveling Trophies will be awarded in accordance with the NCAA breakdown to qualified racers in the men's and women's divisions. Prizes will be awarded per day per race and range from $30 to $140. The overall points winner (collegiate man or woman) in the event will receive a Scott USA bicycle valued at $7,300.
"The Le Tour DeSales is the richest race in collegiate bicycling history," said Dr. Paul Shrivastava, president of ICC. "College club teams and students have been invited to participate in what will become an annual event."
The Scott USA bicycle valued at $7,300 has been donated by Sickler's Bike and Sport Shop in Exeter, Pa. According to Mark Farrell, owner of Sickler's, the Scott bicycle is Europe's largest and biggest-selling bicycle and was brought back to the United States for sale this past year.
"I am delighted to be able to support the collegiate athletes of today," said Farrell. "I was impressed and inspired by their predecessors, some of whom are affiliated with the International Cycling Center today. I hope this experience will inspire the young athletes to continue to grow and turn into the outstanding cyclists of their elders, as well as outstanding citizens."
The ICC is a non-profit organization created to support and extend the cycling community of the Lehigh Valley. The mission of the organization is to enhance the lives of Valley residents by helping them to integrate bicycles into their lives for transportation, entertainment, fitness, sports competition and physical rehabilitation. ICC sponsors include Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors, Bicycling magazine, Market Edge of Wilmington, Del., and WFMZ-TV, Ch. 69.
For more information on the Le Tour DeSales, please contact Dr. Douglas Turco, director of the sport management program at DeSales, at 610-282-1100, ext. 1828, or at Douglas.Turco@DeSales.edu, or Dr. Paul Shrivastava, president, International Cycling Center, at 610-737-7333 or at Paul.Shri@gmail.com.
Press Release: Le Tour DeSales to be held Sat. & Sun., July 1 & 2 | Posted on: 6/16/2006
For more info:
Tom McNamara, Executive Director of Communications
DeSales University | 2255 Station Avenue | Center Valley, PA 18034
610.282.1100 x1219 | Tom.McNamara@desales.edu |
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