Nebraska Cycling News

The 2007 Nebraska road race season will close out this weekend with both the Nebraska USAC Road and Criterium state championships.

Pre-registration is required for both events and available online at www.velosource.com

In addition to over $3000 in cash prizes to be awarded, USA Cycling state championship medals will be awarded both days in the following categories:

• Men 1/2
• Men 3
• Men 4
• Women 1/2/3
• Women 4
• Junior Men (Cat. 5)
• Junior Men (Cat. 4)
• Junior Women (Cat. 5)
• Junior Women (Cat. 4)
• Men Masters 35+
• Men Masters 45+
• Men Masters 55+

PLEASE NOTE: Nebraska riders must have an annual license to be eligible for state championship medals. A USAC annual license must be presented or purchased at rider check-in to be eligible for the state championship medals.

• 4th Annual Elmur Fest (Nebraska State Championship Road Race)
• Saturday, September 8 - Elmwood, NE

The 4th Annual ElMur Fest (Nebraska State Championship Road Race boasts one of the most challenging and beautiful courses in Eastern Nebraska. For 2007, the race will start and finish in Elmwood, NE. Following the roads in and around Cass County, this race serves as the penultimate event in the 2007 Nebraska “Rider of the Year” competition.

The Nebraska State Championship Road is a point-to-point event, which begins and ends in Elmwood travelling north to a 10-mile circuit before heading south back into the town of Elmwood, NE. The race will start with a neutral roll-out beginning in Elmwood near the Elmwood-Murdock Elementary School on West G Street. From West G Street, the neutral roll-out takes riders on to Highway 1. Riders will continue with the neutral roll-out on Highway 1 to 310th Street. At 310th Street, the neutral roll-out continues with the riders proceeding north to the race circuit. After roughly 1.5 miles, the riders will reach the corner of 310th Street and Church Road. This marks the beginning of “the circuit.” The Circuit begins with a rolling stretch, which ends at East Park Hwy. The race makes a right-hand turn and begins a gradual descent into the town of South Bend. After a leveling off in South Bend, the riders will begin heading southeast up the longest climb on the course, which is approximately a ½ mile. At the top of the climb, a tight, off-camber right-hand turn takes the race on to 334th Street back to Church Road. The race makes another right-hand turn on Church Road and heads west back to 310th Street (the feed zone is located near this corner). After riders have completed their pre-determined number of circuits, the race(s) will finish by following 310th Street south to Highway 1. Riders will turn right (west) on to Highway 1 and proceed south to Elmwood. In Elmwoood, riders will make a right-hand turn on to West F Street and proceed to the finish line near the Elmwood-Murdock Elementary School (there are no speed bumps on this road).

Throughout the day, the Elmwood-Murdock Merchants Association will host a variety of family-friendly events as a part of ElMur Fest. Check out www.elmwoodnebraska.com for more information.

• Nebraska State Championship Criterium
• Sunday, September 9 - Raymond, NE

The Nebraska State Championship Criterium will serve as the official end of the 2007 Nebraska Road season and the finale of the “Rider of the Year” competition. The 1-mile course at Branched Oak Lake is a fast, undulating track, which provides ample opportunities for that last attempt at a breakaway. In addition to awarding USA Cycling State Championship medals, the Nebraska State Championship Criterium will feature cash primes in ALL races.

The 1-mile loop at Lieber’s Point in Branched Oak Lake features one left-hand turn and a wide-open windy track, which provides a fantastic challenge for riders of all level and abilities. Beginning on the north side of Lieber’s Point, the course heads west towards the first and only left-hand turn. After the field lines up through the turn, the course heads south down a slight hill and levels out along the back stretch. Heading into the finishing straight, the circuit gently bends back towards the start/finish. As the course begins to rise heading to the finish line, the wide road offers a great opportunity for the field to spread out and sprint for victory!

For complete information on both days of racing, visit: www.nebraskacyclingnews.com and click on the EVENTS CALENDAR to view online fliers.