Top pro cyclists to race in TX Tough Grand Prix II in Dallas

by PegNews wire

This Thursday, Sept. 17, more than 100 professional cyclists will reach speeds of up to 50 miles per hour as they race around a course through Victory Park and around American Airlines Center in Texas’ only pro bike race, the TX Tough Grand Prix II. The event begins at 6:40 p.m.

Like NASCAR on two wheels, this criterium, or “crit” will give fans an up-close view of the action as the athletes speed by, avoiding collisions in a tightly packed field while racing on city streets. To see what the action was like last year, a video of last year's race is at the bottom.

The TX Tough Grand Prix II, which is free and open to the public, will feature a field of the sport’s top riders, such as: former Tour de France champion Floyd Landis, current US PRO National Criterium Champion John Murphy and the top three leaders in the 2009 US CRIT Championship Series, including Mark Hekman, Jake Keough and Tom Soladay.

The second annual event is the final showdown before the USA CRITS series finale in Las Vegas on Thursday, Sept. 24.

Spectators can view the action from the sidewalks along the 1,500-meter course that starts on Houston at Olive, then circles American Airlines Center and Victory Park counterclockwise on a route that includes All-Star Way, Victory Avenue and Museum Way. Designated cross-walks throughout the race area will make it easy for spectators to access vantage points throughout Victory Park.

In addition, official watching parties are also being held on the patio areas of The Boardroom and Victory Tavern starting at 5:30 p.m.

The pro race kicks off the 2009 TX Tough Bike Stage, which harnesses the energy of people of all ages and skill levels to combine fun and fundraising for Children’s Medical Center. Also among the Bike Stage events is the TX Tough Bike Bash, a 6.2-mile, traffic-free fun ride on Sunday, Sept. 20 starting and finishing at Victory Park. For more information, visit www.txtough.org.