 |
 |
New Bremen Grand Prix |
|
2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Course and grandstand set up The New Bremen Criterium is scheduled for July 28th. Racing times are approximately from 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm Some of the world’s best cyclists will make their way to New Bremen to take the challenge of competing at America’s richest criterium series, The Grange Tour 2001. The 2001 New Bremen Criterium will offer racers a chance to win a part of over $160,000.00 in prize money offered via the Grange Tour 2001. The third annual New Bremen Criterium will offer something for everyone. In an era of sports stars removed from the public and who compete only in the big cities, the New Bremen Criterium will offer spectators of all ages an opportunity to meet, greet, and see up-close, some of the world’s top athletes from various countries. Organized by the New Bremen Criterium Community and Team COLUMBUS, (a501c3 not for profit sports marketing organization) the New Bremen Criterium is a unique spectator and participation event scheduled for the summer of 2001, July 28th. The cycling competitions will feature some of the best cyclists and Olympians from many different countries competing for over $3,000.00 in prize money. America’s best trade teams, along with local favorite the Grand Insurance Cycling Team and members of the U.S. National Team will give local residents and visitors plenty of excitement and drama. In addition, at each event there are kids and citizens racing as well as demonstration activities that will provide each host community plenty of opportunities for all levels of participation. Pro Bike Racing… The feature event of the New Bremen Criterium is the Elite race. The Elite race is of 40 miles in length and conducted in the American style of bicycle racing called criterium racing. The city center-racing format known as a "Criterium" is an exciting way to view a bicycle race. The format calls for a short one-mile course that the racers cover for a total of fifty miles or fifty laps. Like NASCAR the racing fans get an opportunity to see the racers pass through the start / finish area fifty times. The action is right in front of you. In criteriums, it’s "go" from the start as the strong rider’s force the pace and the weaker ones struggle to hang on. Quick acceleration and bike-handling ability are paramount – a successful criterium rider will be able to dive into a tight corner at high speed, leaning the bike over at a gravity-defying angle, then power out of the turn and instantly set up for the next. It’s important to stay near the front; the first few riders in a pack can take a corner with little or no braking. Those toward the back jockey for the best "line" through the turn, brake, and then sprint to catch up with the pack as it accelerates, developing an "accordion" effect. Attacks and chases follow one another with dizzying rapidity as riders from one team or another "take a flyer" off the front. Watch for situations in which one team greatly outnumbers the others. One team may have a rider attack, forcing the other team to chase, then send another rider as soon as the first is reeled back in, repeating the process until the competition folds under the pressure. The criterium often end in a field sprint, with each team maneuvering its fastest rider toward the front in the final laps. The Tour de Kids The Tour de Kids will be a feature at all the New Bremen Criterium. The champions of tomorrow will have a chance to claim the bragging rights as the fastest kid in their community. There will be kid’s sprint races for 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, and 10-12 years old racers. Awards will be presented to the top three of each age group. The champions at the finals will receive championship medals, bicycles and other prizes.
The New Bremen Grand Prix is held in cooperation with the Bicycle Museum of America. |
