MAC heads to the Garden State

The chase for the prestigious Verge MAC Championship moves to New Jersey on November 10 and 11 for a double-header of UCI cyclo-cross racing in "the Garden State". The weekend kicks off Saturday, November 10, with the high-speed sandy chutes, sand pits and infamous "Amphitheatre of Pain" of the Beacon Cyclo-cross. The following day, Sunday November 11, the Pro-Am and International racers travel up the New Jersey Turnpike to the HPCX in Jamesburg.

"There was a major push last year to get these two races back onto the same weekend," said Verge MAC Media Director Ken Getchell, making the races more convenient for riders who must travel long distances to compete in New Jersey. Additional incentives by SRAM to the top finishers in the Elite division Verge MAC points chases is also expected to generate increased interest with seasoned pros.

The race will also provide benefit to the collegiate teams in the region, with Sunday's HPCX race being used as a fund raiser for the 2006 conference champions (and race co-promoters), Rutgers University Cycling Team. Proceeds from the race will assist the Scarlet Knights when they travel to the U.S. National Championships.

"For the past few years the National Championships have been in Rhode Island and travel has been relatively simple and inexpensive," said Mark Vareschi, Rutgers Cycling cyclo-cross program director. "However, moving a team of collegiate riders from New Jersey to Kansas in the midst of final exams presents a whole new level of difficulty and expense. We're excited that race director Craig Callan and the Highland Park Hermes have generously offered the HPCX race as a benefit for us."

More information about Verge MAC's Garden State Weekend, including pre-registration and driving directions, can be found at BikeReg.com.

Schedule (both days): 9:00 am Amateur Race, Novices and SupaFAN.com Juniors 10:00 am Amateur Race, age 35+ and 55+ 11:00 am Domestic Race, Men 12:15 pm Domestic Race, Elite Masters age 35+ 1:30 pm International Race, The Elite International Women, powered by SRAM 2:30 pm International Race, The Elite International Men, powered by SRAM