The Criterium built by WEBCOR to offer day of exciting cycling for riders and spectators alike
Downtown San Jose to become urban race track

SAN JOSE, CALIF., —The San Jose Cycling Classic presents The Criterium built by WEBCOR, 8 a.m., Saturday, February 14, with the start located at Park Avenue/Market Street/South Almaden Blvd. Packet pick-up begins at 7 a.m., San Jose City Hall Wing, Rooms 118-120, 200 East Santa Clara Street.

To be staged in downtown San Jose with the Plaza de Cesar Chavez as the event’s main backdrop, The Criterium built by WEBCOR, a first to be produced by the City, will provide a day of thrilling racing for both amateur and professional riders who will test their abilities to corner rapidly and sharply—and ride to win within a large group on a short circuit.

“The Criterium will be an exciting addition to our Downtown, offering both athletes and fans a great opportunity to be a part of an intense, action-filled event,” said Mayor Chuck Reed. “We are pleased that WEBCOR has joined with the City to help bring both professional and amateur cycling in San Jose.”

Marked by high speeds, short courses, multiple laps, tight turns, and side-by-side racing, a criterium, or “crit,” is one of the most exciting of all cycling’s competitive sports. The .86 mile urban downtown “track” will feature these elements as well as cash and prizes, including $5,000 for top male professionals and $5,000 for top female professionals.

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Evening event to feature road cycling World Cup champion, Katheryn Curi Mattis, and Bissell Pro Cycling Team members, Andy Jacques‐Maynes and Eric Wohlberg Pros to offer racing tips to give Classic participants competitive edge and preview their Amgen Tour of California participation

SAN JOSE, CALIF., — Sports Basement will host a special San Jose Cycling Classic
evening, 6‐8 p.m., Tuesday, February 3, 1177 Kern Ave., in Sunnyvale.

The event will feature Katheryn Curi Mattis, a member of the Webcor Builders Women’s Professional Cycling Team. Mattis will be on hand to share training tips as well as San Jose Cycling Classic race day advice. One of only three women in the world to have ever won a road cycling World Cup (1st Place in the Geelong World Cup), Mattis also will share her observations from more than a decade of racing.

In addition, members of the Bissell Pro Cycling Team will discussing their race experiences and offer tips for those in attendance. They include Eric Wohlberg, Bissell Pro Cycling team director and three‐time Olympian, as well as Andy Jacques‐Maynes. Bissell Pro Cycling Team is competing in the upcoming Amgen Tour of California, coming to San Jose 10 a.m.‐noon, Tuesday, February 17, for the Tour’s Stage 3 Start.

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Multi-day cycling and community events target diverse roster of amateur and professional riders in conjunction with returning Amgen Tour of California and LIVESTRONG® Challenge San Jose kick-off

“Season of cycling” to promote San Jose Green Vision green mobility

SAN JOSE, CALIF.—The San Jose Cycling Classic will be held February 14, 2009 throughout San Jose. The multi-pronged event will encompass professional, amateur and community cycling activities, including a competitive time trial race, a criterium, a recreational ride and a CEO Challenge. It is expected to attract more than 1,000 cycling athletes, 20,000 spectators and cycling-related exhibitors.

“Cycling is an important form of alternative transportation, and San Jose’s Green Vision puts San Jose on the path to being a cycling-friendly city,” San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed said. “The San Jose Cycling Classic lets the cyclists everywhere know that San Jose and the greater SouthBay region is a one of the best places in the world to cycle whether you’re an amateur or a professional.”

The San Jose Cycling Classic will kick off with the The King of the Mountain Time Trial and Ride sponsored by Mattson Technology, and a CEO Challenge powered by SunPower, where riders will leave San Jose City Hall and reach the base of Sierra Road for a mass start time trial race. This challenging hill was featured in several Amgen Tour of California races and exploded the peloton. The climb is 3.7 miles long with an average gradient of 10 percent; however, some pitches reach 17-18 percent. It will include police motorcycles leading a rolling closure north and east of Downtown San Jose to the base of the Sierra Road climb. The San Jose Cycling Classic will also feature a 30-mile recreational ride which will start along the same route but will not include the challenging Sierra Road climb.

All rides will start with police motorcycles leading a rolling closure north and east of Downtown San Jose to the base of the Sierra Road climb. Cyclists on the King of the Mountain and CEO Challenge ride will then cross a timing pad to activate timing chips and begin their ascent up Sierra Road—a stunning 3.7-mile, 1,830-foot climb. After summiting Sierra Road, riders may complete the Sierra/Calaveras/Piedmont loop and ride west to City Hall. Even though the ride officially ends at the Sierra Hill summit, riders are invited to return back to City Hall for a post ride celebration.

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