Contact:
Krista Flanagan
608-467-2014 (office)
Middleton, WI – February 10, 2011 – Centurion Wisconsin is ready to roll into its second year by expanding to a full weekend of cycling events from August 5-7, 2011. In addition to a Saturday morning 25-mile ride and the marquee 50-mile and 100-mile events on Sunday, Centurion Wisconsin will also feature a Friday night Time Trial (a short individually timed race) and Saturday morning Kid’s Ride.
And that’s not all. Centurion Wisconsin weekend will also include a Friday evening community bike drive in partnership with DreamBikes, the Jessepalooza concert on Saturday afternoon to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the Diabetes Research Institute, and a Saturday evening promotion in conjunction with the Middleton Tourism Commission encouraging participants to dine out in Middleton.
Centurion Cycling is setting a new standard among cycling events in North American by combining the mass participation buzz of a big city marathon with the unique nature of a European gran fondo (Italian for “big ride”), and the all inclusive nature of cycling. What makes Centurion different is:
* Epic courses in unique venues
* Standardized format and distances of 25, 50, 100 miles
* High quality of production including coordinated mass start, chip timing, controlled traffic and full medical and mechanical support
* Enhanced atmosphere with an expo village concept
* Competition and camaraderie
Centurion Cycling is the brainchild of Graham Fraser, who besides having 25-years experience developing and producing endurance-type sporting events, is widely credited with growing the Ironman franchise in North America including bringing Ironman to Madison.“We are very fortunate to be in this business of providing opportunities to help people get fit and change their lives in positive ways,” said Fraser. “Cycling can do that for so many people.”
More than 1,200 cyclists registered for the 2010 Centurion Wisconsin that was hampered by thunderstorms, but received rave reviews from participants. More than 2,500 cyclists are expected for Centurion Wisconsin this year, with the majority likely to participate in the 100-mile event that includes approximately 6,000 feet of climbing most of it done in short, sharp bursts up steep hills with the ultimate test being near the perimeter of Blue Mounds State Park.
While avid cyclists push themselves in the 100-mile ride, the 50-mile and 25-mile courses are more suited to recreational riders and families. And, now with the addition of a Kid’s Ride, Centurion Wisconsin becomes an event for anyone who enjoys cycling.
With a slogan of Racers Race. Riders Ride., Centurion Wisconsin provides an outlet for all types: triathletes in training who want to race the clock; century riders looking for a safe and organized ride or those seeking to raise money for charity; avid cyclists desiring a Tour de France-type experience; and recreational cyclists and families hoping for a new and fun outdoor activity.
“Our goal is to provide an unparalleled athlete experience for our participants, something they can’t get anywhere else,” said Wisconsin Race Director Tim Hyland. According to Hyland, planning has been well underway to build the 2011 weekend since the conclusion of the 2010 event, including meetings with Dane and Iowa County officials, local municipalities and other agencies and organizations who will assist in the event coordination and help deliver an exceptional weekend.
Local partners are also excited to see the event return in 2011. “We are very excited to welcome Centurion Wisconsin back for a second year,” said Deb Archer, President & CEO of the Greater Madison Convention & Visitors Bureau, the local host partner. “The event’s growing popularity will provide cycling enthusiasts from around the country a thrilling race and the chance to see how welcoming and beautiful Middleton and the rest of the Greater Madison community really is.”
Registration is now open for Centurion Wisconsin 2011 at http://www.CenturionCycling.com.
Centurion Wisconsin 2011 Schedule
(Venue: Morey Field/Middleton Municipal Airport)
Friday, August 5
4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Registration/Packet Pick-up and Centurion Wisconsin Expo
3:00 – 8:00 p.m. DreamBike Bike Drive
6:00 p.m. Time Trial
Saturday, August 6
6:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Registration/Packet Pick-up and Centurion Wisconsin Expo
7:30 a.m. Centurion 25-mile (C25) event
10:30 a.m. C25 Awards
10:30 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. Centurion Kid’s Zone
11:00 a.m. Centurion Kid’s Ride (CKids Ride)
Noon CKids Ride Awards
2:00 p.m. Jessepalooza Concert at Keva Sports Center
Saturday evening Middleton Dine Around
Sunday, August 7
5:00 – 6:45 a.m. Registration/Packet Pick-up
6:45 a.m. Staging for Centurion 50 (C50) and Centurion 100 (C100)
7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Centurion Wisconsin Expo
7:00 a.m. C50 Start
7:30 a.m. C100 Start
10:30 a.m. C50 Awards
1:00 p.m. C100 Awards
Centurion Cycling YouTube videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/CenturionCycling
