[NCNCA] Information Updates - Bentley's Central Valley Classic

[Jonathan Eropkin]

We have a little over two weeks until the Central Valley Classic rolls into
the foothills surrounding Fresno and the city streets of the Tower District.
I have some information to pass along to you, the discerning NCNCA racer:

 - We have three events this year: 1) NRC Stage Race, 2) Belmont Piedra Time
Trial, and 3) Tower District Criterium.
 - The dates are March 9th, 10th, and 11th.
 - The stage race is timed, with the usual stage race rules such as time
cuts, must start and finish each event, etc.  There has been some confusion
about this... it is not an omnium this year.
 - Stage race categories for this year are: Pro/1, Elite 2, Masters 35+
1/2/3, and Pro 1/2 women.
 - $30,000 in prizes.
 - The road race course is all new.  Old timers will remember the new
Raymond Granite RR course as part of the original Madera Stage Race RR (the
long course)
 - The Pro / Elite 1 field is almost full.  As of 5:00 pm today, 146 out of
150 spots were taken.
 - The time trial and criterium are individual events for non-stage race
categories.  They are also stage 2 and stage 3 of the stage race.
 - The time trial course is the same for everyone.  Now you can prove to
your friends that you really are faster than Chris Baldwin.  Since the stage
race categories go in the morning, you will also know the times to beat.
 - There are Elite Open categories for men and women at the time trial.
These fields are designed for the strong TT rider or triathlete that wants
to compete against other fast riders.
 - There is a Tandem Open class for the time trial.
 - An excellent microbrewery is located directly across from Dave Towle and
the criterium start line.
 - A cool (laser-cut, acid-etched, granite base) trophy will be given to the
winner of each time trial and criterium field.  It will look great in your
trophy case, on your desk, in the garage, etc.
 - Nobody's going to stop stage racers from entering other TT fields or
criterium fields.  Take home another trophy / more money.
 - Options, options, options.  There's a utility on our website home page
that you can use to see what events you can enter.  Some combinations of
gender/category are eligible to enter as many as 9 different events.

Thanks for reading.  I will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Please visit our website at www.centralvalleyclassic.com.

Jonathan Eropkin
Technical Director
Bentley's Central Valley Classic
www.centralvalleyclassic.com