Cox Charities Cycling Classic to feature champions

The 5th annual Cox Charities Cycling Classic, featuring 500 cyclists, will take place in Station Park, Providence, Rhode Island, on Sunday, June 25, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and has announced the participation of riders such as Davide Frattini and brothers Mark and Frank McCormack, all members of the Colavita Olive Oil/Sutter Home Pro Cycling Team.

Frattini is the 2001 winner of the "Baby Giro", the U23 Giro d’Italia. Frank McCormack, a former US Pro Champion, is the defending 2005 Cox Charities Cycling Classic winner, while brother Mark, former U.S. professional champion, won the Tour of Connecticut in 2005.

Racers will compete on a one-mile, five-corner criterium course adjacent to the Providence Place Mall and Rhode Island State House. The money raised will benefit Cox Charities of New England which awards grants to non-profit organizations in Cox’s service area that focus on the education and development of youth.

Food vendors and exhibitors, as well as other family-friendly activities will be set up in Station Park adjacent to the race course throughout the day. Most family activities will start at 9 a.m., and the first race is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. The women’s feature race is scheduled for 10:45 a.m., and the men’s feature race for 1:15 p.m.

This year the Cox Charities Cycling Classic will be held as part of the inaugural New England Raceweek. The top races in New England joined together to kick off the summer cycling season and offer a week of cycling competition from June 24-July 2 in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.