Women's Prestige Series adds two events

Organizers of the Women's Prestige Cycling Series announced the schedule for its sixth season including two new events: the Joe Martin Stage Race on May 7-10 and the Cascade Cycling Classic on July 22-26. The two new events join the Redlands Bicycle Classic on March 26-29 and the Nature Valley Grand Prix on June 10-14.

"The Cascade Cycling Classic, which is a new addition to the Series, will make an excellent Grand Finale," said series director David LaPorte of the Nature Valley Grand Prix. "It's an epic stage race with challenging mountain climbs that will really sort out the final standings. And, coming right before the US National Championships held in the same location, all the top teams can be expected to attend."

Jeff Corbett, the new director of Team TIBCO, said that the expanded series showed a strengthening of women's cycling. "It's further evidence that women's cycling is growing even more popular here in the US, and that the quality of the competition continues to improve. We're very excited to be a part of the Series, and hopefully we can contribute to its ongoing success."

"This is great news for women's cycling," said Lisa Hunt of the ValueAct Capital team. "It gives women the recognition and rewards that they deserve. We're looking forward to a tremendously successful series!"

The series includes four competitions: individual, best young rider, sprinter and teams. The leaders in the first three classifications will be identified by leader's jerseys. Kat Carroll (Aaron's Pro Cycling) won the individual and sprinter's jerseys in 2008 while her teammate Alison Testroete took the Best Young Rider's jersey, and Aaron's Pro Cycling claimed the team award.

The Women's Prestige Cycling Series began in 2004. It was a result of the annual Women's Cycling Summit held before the Nature Valley Grand Prix.

For more information, visit www.womencyclists.com.