San Francisco Twilight Criterium to debut in September as the newest USA CRITS event

The 2008 USA CRITS Series is getting even bigger with the addition of the San Francisco Twilight Criterium on September 13. Spearheaded by Ryan Dawkins, President of Project Sport and Andy Ball, CEO of Webcor Builders, the City by the Bay will once again become the backdrop for a top-notch competition featuring some of the best cyclists from the USA and around the world.

“Andy and I decided to team up to bring pro cycling back to San Francisco,” says Dawkins. “We want a high-action, high-energy event that blows everyone’s mind, and nothing compares to a 40 mph, night-time race,” he adds.

Dawkins’ McGuire Cycling Team is arguably one of the best elite teams in northern California, and he says the squad enjoys competing in the first event of the USA CRITS Series every year in Georgia. “My team says there’s nothing like the Athens Twilight,” explains Dawkins. “The race and the atmosphere are so electric that I wanted to have something like Athens in San Francisco.”

Male and female pro cyclists will compete for a total of $15,000 in prize money on a four-block, four-corner, one-kilometer course whose start and finish line will be at Union Street—the so-called Rodeo Drive of San Francisco. The picturesque Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and the San Francisco Bay will be visible everywhere except at Turn 2, but the riders won’t be taking their eyes off the course to enjoy the sights. Dawkins says Union Street has just been re-paved, so it will be fast and racers can expect a 35-mph-plus corner at Turn 2. Knowing this, organizers are planning to place bales of hay at every bend, especially that one.

Webcor’s Andy Ball is a cycling enthusiast of the highest order. His company has a long history of sponsoring cycling events in San Francisco and currently sponsors a women’s professional squad teeming with champion riders who have made the Webcor Builders Women’s Professional Cycling Team one of the best teams in the world.

The San Francisco Twilight Criterium will be an invitation-only event with priority given to top USA CRITS Series contenders first, followed by local riders who may register online at www.sftwilight.com. “We’re going to showcase the top racers in a pro riders’ village,” says Dawkins. “There they will be able to park their cars, relax under tents and warm up, and fans will be able to walk around to talk to the cyclists and get their autographs.”

USA CRITS’ Managing Director Ravi Rajcoomar says Dawkins has worked really hard for a couple of years to get their event off the ground. “We’re very excited to add the San Francisco Twilight Criterium to our growing list of events. San Francisco is a cycling-friendly city, and competitors can expect great crowds at one of the best venues and race courses in the country.” The San Francisco Twilight now becomes the last event before the USA CRITS Series finals at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on September 25. “I can’t imagine a better place for the last stop leading into the USA CRITS Finals in Vegas,” says Rajcoomar.

“September and October are part of San Francisco’s Indian summer,” says Dawkins, “And all around Union Street, there are shops and restaurants that draw 50,000 people on any given Saturday night,” Dawkins adds that with conservative estimates, event organizers expect about the same number of spectators will line the course to watch the race.

For more information on the San Francisco Twilight Criterium, visit www.sftwilight.com or send email to info@sftwilight.com.

About USA CRITS USA CRITS National Criterium Series has been developed to feature a brand of cycling unique to the United States, the criterium. Criteriums are historically run on short laps through city streets. They offer spectators the opportunity to watch Olympians, world and national champions up-close as they ride at top speed. This has made the criterium format the most spectator-friendly form of cycling entertainment. Events on the USA CRITS series have the ideals that have made criterium racing an American legacy: Challenging courses that showcase arts and entertainment districts; a large and energized base of spectators; broad community support; and strong marketing opportunities for sponsors. For more information, visit www.usacrits.com.