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2nd Annual Mass Avenue Criterium

8/5/2009

By: Gail Payne

SECOND ANNUAL MASS AVE CRITERIUM ANNOUNCED FOR SATURDAY, AUGUST 15

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Carrying on the reputation as “amateur sports capital of the world,” the NUVO/Indianapolis Cultural Trail Cycling Team is planning a downtown Indianapolis race in the heart of the Mass Ave Cultural District on Saturday, August 15 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. In its second year, race planners hope that the Mass Ave Criterium, presented by the Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene & Marilyn Glick, will be an annual event, inviting local families and visitors to enjoy exciting amateur cycling racing, a bicycle safety rodeo, and European-like festival experience.

A former Little 500 cyclist, Mayor Greg Ballard will lead the Men’s 1/2/3 race in a parade lap at 12:35 p.m. and present awards to winners in the Rathskeller biergarten at 2:00 p.m.

The race brings elite cycling up close and personal as riders from the Midwest compete for $7,500 in cash and prizes at speeds up to 45 mph. The six tenths mile course runs from the start/finish at 435 Massachusetts Ave., near the Chatterbox Jazz Club, turns left onto Vermont St. at the Old Point Tavern to East St. and to the finish line on Mass Ave. Pedestrians and cars will be allowed to cross these streets mid-race.

For the riders enjoyment the promoters will be providing $4,250 in cash and $3,000 in prizes. $50 minimum primes with at least five offered per race. There will also be ten, $150 primes from Rudy Project (sports glasses and helmuts) and free fruit and drinks at registration. For riders safety the promoters will be employing 90 course marshals, 14 police officers and over 50 street barricades to allow the racers to just focus on racing. The Mayor will be joining the festivities in the afternoon and will do a pace lap with the Cat 1,2,3 riders at 12:40pm. Fat Tire beer will be available for free sampling during the entire race for the spectators.

Six races will be held in the following categories and times:

Category 3* 8:00 a.m.
Category 4/5 9:00 a.m.
Masters 45+ 9:40 a.m.
Masters 35+ 10:40 a.m.
Women Open 11:40 a.m.
Kids’ Races** 12:25 p.m. – Free for children age 12 and under
Men 1/2/3 12:40 p.m.

*class/ranking
** Kids’ Race – Participants must bring their own bicycle. Helmets provided as necessary. Children will race in heats by age group. All participants must register prior to race at Athenaeum, 401 E. Michigan St.

Race registration, a bicycling information fair, post-race party and awards will be held in the Rathskeller and Athenaeum, 401 E. Michigan St. The YMCA in the Athenaeum will also offer parking and free showers for racing cyclists. After the race, competitors and spectators are invited to the awards ceremony hosted by our Mayor and a post-race party in the Rathskeller biergarten with live music, brats, beer and other beverages.

A “Criterium” race is a mass-start race typically held on a course of three or more corners under one mile in length. Competitors race for a designated time and at the end of that time they have three laps to finish. If a cyclist has a flat tire of suffers a crash, he or she can re-enter the race without penalty, unless the incident occurs during the final laps and the cyclist would be disqualified.

“Mass Ave is very excited about hosting this exciting race,” said David Andrichik, owner Chatterbox Jazz Club, 435 Massachusetts Ave. “Our merchants regularly work together on these special events that benefit our cultural district and compliment our regularly scheduled quarterly celebrations.”

Bicycle Indiana will provide a bicycle safety rodeo for children and families beginning at 9:30 a.m. on the northwest corner of Mass Ave. and Michigan St. The rodeo will teach bicycling safety and distribute free children’s helmets while supplies last.

For those who wish to cycle to the event, a Pedal and Park facility will be located in the Indianapolis Fire Department parking lot on Mass Ave near New Jersey St.

All IndyGo Fixed Route buses are equipped with bike racks. Each bus can carry two bikes at a time. Visit www.IndyGo.net/riding_tips for more information.

There will be no parking on Saturday, August 15 from 12:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on the race course (Massachusetts Ave., East St. and Vermont St.) and cars will be towed. Free parking is available during this time at the English Foundation Building, 615 N. Alabama St.

The 2009 Mass Ave Criterium is presented by NUVO newsweekly and the Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene & Marilyn Glick. Its sponsors include New Belgium Brewing, Bicycle Garage Indy, Heal Thyself, Chatterbox, Nurture, Luna Music, 3Mass, The Rudy Project, Dr. Tavel, and the Mass Ave Merchants Association. Proceeds benefit the Indianapolis Cultural Trail and Mass Ave Merchants Association.

For more information or to register please visit TrueSport.com or call 317.713.3333.

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