Wednesday, July 2, 2002
Reston Town Center was transformed last Sunday into a bicycling grand prix. The inaugural event featured six bicycle races in which men and women racers from around the Mid-Atlantic region competed for thousands in cash and prizes.
Evolution Cycling Club, an non-profit organization, sponsored this event, following the United States Cycling Federation standards for all accredited bicycling clubs.
Jim DeGoey, Race Promotions Manager said the race was "spectator friendly" because every two minutes a biker crossed the finish line. Spectators watched racers compete around a six-corner, 3/4-mile circuit through the heart of the Town Center at speeds over 35 mph.
During the six individual races, race announcer Dan Mowdy offered primes (pronounced PREEMS) which were individual lap awards given to the racer who crossed first. Sponsors for these primes included: Bicycling Magazine, Bicycle Outfitters, First Virginia Bank, The Health Advantage Yoga Center, Panera Bread, Pizzeria Uno, PsychoLube and Whole Foods. The race sponsors included: Evolution Cycling Club, Clyde's of Reston, Bayer Home Health, Accounts Pro, Bicycle Outfitters, Nordic Press, LeMond Bicycles, The Grove Center for Chiropractic and Wellness, Better Termite and Pest Control, Inc., Mindwrap and Bicycling Magazine. Approximately 300 racers participated in what race official Steve Gurney called "Hands down the best place to showcase bicycle racing."