PROVIDENCE -- A number of accomplished veterans, along with some promising up-and-coming riders, should make for exciting racing at the fifth annual Cox Charities Cycling Classic tomorrow in downtown Providence.
Defending champion Frank McCormack, his younger brother, Mark McCormack, the 2005 Tour of Connecticut champion, and 2004 Cox Charities Cycling Classic champ Jon Hamblen headline the field of more than 500 professional and amateur cyclists. They will be vying for $17,500 in prize money at the event, which has been included in the inaugural New England Raceweek.
The Classic consists of five races, which kick off with the 23-mile combined Masters 45-plus and 35-plus event at 9:30 a.m. All will be held on a one-mile, five-corner criterium course that begins on Francis Street next to the Providence Place mall, passes by the State House and circles Waterplace Park.
"We're so excited that the Cycling Classic has grown into one of the top cycling events on the East Coast," said Gary Dalton, the race organizer and Cox New England's vice president of business operations. "It's a great event for the whole family, and the money raised helps support the many worthwhile programs and organizations in our service area that are dedicated to (the) education of youth."
Also racing with the McCormacks as a member of the Colavita Olive Oil/Sutter Home Pro Cycling Team will be David Frattini, who won the 2001 "Baby Giro," the Giro d'Italia for those under-26..
Hamblen's teammate, Adam Myerson, should also push the pace in the Men's Pro 1/2 event -- a 50-mile race, which caps off the day's racing at 1:15 p.m.
A three-time winner of the Boston Beanpot Criterium, Myerson has already won this year's Greenville Series #5 and SC Criterium Championship, while placing second at the Festival of Speed Criterium and the Michael Schott Memorial.
Hamblen and Myerson will be joined by six other members of Team Nerac/Outdoor Lights, a young group of talented professional cyclists.
Representing the Target Training Team is the 2005 Tour of Belize champion Bill Ellison. He has compiled more than 60 career victories. Teammate Alejandro Acton has competed for the Argentina Olympic team. Another Target Training Team member, Wes Hartman, had five wins last year and already has a victory under his belt this season. Frank Pipp and Dan Greenfield will be racing with them, as well.
The Malaysian Women's Cycling Team is expected to compete in the 23-mile Women's Open race at 10:45 a.m.
In between cheering for their favorite cyclists, spectators can stay busy with any number of family friendly activities and celebrity appearances at Station Park, adjacent to the race course:
Live entertainment, including a bachata band and a fashion show, sponsored by Latina 100.3 and Tiempo Social will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the performance stage.
Jason Clarke and Kevin Chapman, the stars of the new Showtime series Brotherhood that was shot entirely in Providence, will greet fans and sign autographs in the Showtime booth from 1-3 p.m. A raffle will also be held at the booth for tickets to the show's premiere (Monday at 7 p.m. at the Avon Cinema in Providence) and VIP party (at Waterplace Restaurant).
Ashley, the 2005 Miss Hawaiian Tropic USA and winner of the 2005 RAW Diva Search, will sign autographs in the WWE booth from 1-3 p.m.
Youngsters can have their picture taken with Angelica Pickles, the bossy older cousin from the Nickelodeon television program Rugrats, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Rhode Island Stingrays will host soccer clinics for children from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Rhode Island Rock Gym will provide a rock wall for amateur climbers throughout the day.
Families can test their pitching skills and enter a raffle for a pair of Boston Red Sox tickets at the New England Sports Network booth from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
There will be a variety of other exhibitors and food vendors, as well.
Leigh Ann Woisard, director of public relations for Cox Communications, stressed that the event with all of its festivities will be held rain or shine.
"We want people to know that even if they wake up and it's cloudy, we are still going to race," she said. "The only thing that might get in the way would be lightning. But it's going to be a great day of racing."
RACING SCHEDULE
9:30 a.m. -- Masters (45-plus) and Masters (35-plus), 23 miles; 10:45 -- Women's Open, 23 miles; noon -- Category 3/4, 23 miles; 1:15 p.m. -- Men's Pro 1/2, 50 miles.
cthorn@projo.com / (401) 277-7340
ROAD RESTRICTIONS
Road restrictions in downtown Providence tomorrow from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Travel on upper Francis Street between Memorial Boulevard and Gaspee Street will be limited to one lane in each direction.
Gaspee Street will be closed to traffic between Francis Street and Smith Street.
Smith Street between Gaspee and Canal Street will be one lane outbound only.
Travel on Canal Street between Smith Street and Steeple Street will be completely closed to traffic.
The westbound side of Memorial Boulevard between Steeple Street and Memorial will be closed to traffic.
There will be parking restrictions on all of the above roads, from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m.. Cars left on these roads will be towed as of 8 a.m.
The Providence Amtrak Train Station, Avalon at Center Place and the Citizens Bank building will be accessed only via Park Row from North Main Street.
Passenger dropoff to the Providence Amtrak Station must access the Park Row entrance or access through the Francis Street side of the State House. Signs will be posted.
Event parking for competitors and spectators will be available at the state offices lot across from the State House on Smith Street and at Providence Place Mall (normal rates apply).
Additional parking will be available at Metro Parking on Canal Street. Normal rates apply. This lot can be accessed through Exchange Street or Park Row.
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