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| DAVE BABCOOK STAGE RACE THIS WEEKEND |
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| Written by John Lefler Jr | |
| Tuesday, 31 May 2005 | |
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Combining tremendous organization with a challenging array of courses, this weekend's race promises to be the best in the event’s five-year history. The two-day LAJORS and Maxxis Cup series event begins Saturday with two stages -- a prologue time trial and circuit race -- then wraps up Sunday with a criterium in downtown Omaha. There is no charge for admission to any of the stages and all three courses offer tremendous spectator viewing opportunities. Proceeds from the Dave Babcook Memorial Stage Race (also known as the "Omaha Race Weekend") support pancreatic cancer research at the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center.  The event honors the late Dave Babcook, an Eppley Research Institute employee and competitive cyclist who died in 1998 from pancreatic cancer. Even while in treatment for his cancer, Babcook continued to attend races as a spectator and cheer on his teammates. Last year's event raised more than $1,500 for the Eppley Cancer Center. Babcook, seen here racing in Colorado, died in 1998 from pancreatic cancer. More than $6,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded to the competitors over the two days of racing. This year’s race is a United States Cycling Federation-sanctioned stage race, comprising an uphill time trial and circuit race on Saturday and a criterium on Sunday which doubles as the Nebraska USCF Criterium Championship. New to the Omaha Race Weekend is an 800-meter prologue time trial up a 10 percent grade at Hummel Park, north of downtown Omaha. The first rider will go off at 8:30 a.m. with each competior spaced at 30-second intervals. Sunday's criterium runs through the heart of the Old Market district, in the shadow of downtown Omaha.  Saturday afternoon marks the return of the Elmwood Park circuit race. Featuring a 1.6-mile undulating course, the circuit includes a downhill chicane over a bridge. The Pro-I-II men will complete more than 30 circuits covering 55 miles.
Sunday’s criterium through the Old Market has been called one of the most challenging and exciting courses in America by World Mountain Bike Champion Steve Tilford. The figure-eight design spans 1.2 miles and includes a fast downhill section through a 50-meter railroad tunnel, several tight turns and a challenging uphill finish. This story was reprinted from the Team Kaos website www.teamkaoscycling.com |
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| Last Updated ( Monday, 06 June 2005 ) |
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