4th Cox Charities Cycling Classic

Sunday, June 12 will see some of the USA's best professional cyclists visit Station Park in downtown Providence, Rhode Island, for the 4th annual Cox Charities Cycling Classic. Held on a 1 mile, seven corner criterium course in the heart of the city and across from the Rhode Island State House, this year's event will see the pro men's field competing for a $10,000 purse. Held one week after the Wachovia US Professional Championships in Philadelphia, the event offers riders a chance to stay on the East Coast and make the short trip to New England to take advantage of their form and compete for a sizable prize list.

There will be plenty of side activities organised in Station Park on the day as well, with food vendors and exhibitors including HBO, Showtime, WWE, ESPN, NBC Universal, Discovery, and IFC. Rhode Island Rock Gym will once again provide a rock wall for amateur climbers and Scooby Doo will appear between 11:00am and 3:00pm. Mike Siedley, the US champion trials rider in mountain bike stunt riding will be on hand to demonstrate some of his stunts and trick riding. In addition, the Narragansett Wheelmen, a cycling group from Rhode Island, will be on hand with a display of antique bicycles.

At 12:30pm. Providence Mayor David Cicilline will hose the Mayor's Challenge with elected local and state officials and members of the media racing for a $1,000 Cox Charities grant award to the charitable organization of his or her choice. Last Year's challenge was won by South Kingstown School Committee Member David Cote.

The men's pro race begins at 1:00pm and will be run over 40 laps of the 1 mile circuit. Riders will include former US Professional Road Champion Mark McCormack (Colavita/Sutter Home) and Oscar Pineda (Guatemalan National Team), a 2000 Sydney Australia Olympian. Pineda finished second in 2003 and third in 2004 in this race. In addition, a number of amateur cyclists who recently returned from military duty in Iraq will participate.

The race will benefit Cox Charities New England, with funds raised going towards supporting programs and organisations dedicated to the education of youth in the area.

More information: www.paveproductions.com