gregg
05-19-2005, 02:17 PM
PRESS RELEASE
May 18, 2005
COMPUTRAINER GRID QUALIFIER BIG SUCCESS AT ATHENS TWILIGHT
New Method of Staging Could Impact Future of Criterium Races
SEATTLE- The cream of America's pro road cyclists participating in last month's Athens Twilight criterium race, faced a new, unique challenge: the CompuTrainer MultiRider 10 KM (6.2 miles) Time Trial. The stationary MultiRider setup was used in determining start positions for the 60-km pro men's race, held on April 30th.
This was the first time that MultiRider had ever been used for staging at a major racing event. There was more than pride at stake for professional cyclists competing in Friday's 10K Time Trial. Cash prizes were awarded for the fastest time postings, but more importantly, riders were battling on the indoor trainers for coveted places at the front of the pack at the start of Saturday's pro men's race.
"To be able to qualify for start positions using CompuTrainer was a really neat and unique addition," says Curtis Gunn of Team Seasilver, who participated in the finals of the MultiRiderq qualifier. "The Athens Twilight is notoriously fast from the start. Something like this is very practical for the bigger races, and especially in criteriums. The race goes by so fast, so whatever advantage a person can get is helpful."
MultiRider qualifying had significant crowd, too, giving fans an extended view of their cycling favorites as compared to during the race itself, when the pros flashed past at speeds of up to 40 mph. "The CompuTrainer Qualifier definitely added an edge to the race," explains Chad Andrews, race commentator and lead contact at North Carolina's Per4mance Training Center, one of CompuTrainer's 60 MultiRider Centers. "Overall, it has the ability to greatly impact rider's approach to qualifying and the way that races are organized in the future. It definitely makes the stakes higher."
Several hundred fans gathered around riders themselves and thousands watched the qualifying action on a large 25x30 foot screen, as riders battled it out using the MultiRider system. Andrews concludes: "The biggest effect I think that this has is that it gives an actual interaction between the riders competing and the audience. You had a tremendous turnout with people cheering on the riders up close. It's one thing in a race, where you get that in spurts as you pass through the course. It's another thing when all these people are constantly right there motivating you to get the best time. It was definitely harder than what some riders thought it would be. It's a tool that actually builds excitement for the actual race." With the sport of cycling always searching for economical ways of bringing the action home to the fans, the question begs: has RacerMate triggered a new wave?
ABOUT RacerMate:
RacerMate has been the undisputed leader in bicycle training technology for close to thirty years. Over 10,000 CompuTrainer owners have improved their biking performance by 20% to 30%. You will too. With the new MultiRider software up to 8 CompuTrainer users can race/train together. Results can be uploaded to the company database, where they can be compared with those of pro and amateur and beginner riders all over the world. For general information, visit www.racermateinc.com
-30-
Media Contact:
Chuck Wurster
Tel: (206) 524-7392 x307
chuck.wurster@computrainer.com
May 18, 2005
COMPUTRAINER GRID QUALIFIER BIG SUCCESS AT ATHENS TWILIGHT
New Method of Staging Could Impact Future of Criterium Races
SEATTLE- The cream of America's pro road cyclists participating in last month's Athens Twilight criterium race, faced a new, unique challenge: the CompuTrainer MultiRider 10 KM (6.2 miles) Time Trial. The stationary MultiRider setup was used in determining start positions for the 60-km pro men's race, held on April 30th.
This was the first time that MultiRider had ever been used for staging at a major racing event. There was more than pride at stake for professional cyclists competing in Friday's 10K Time Trial. Cash prizes were awarded for the fastest time postings, but more importantly, riders were battling on the indoor trainers for coveted places at the front of the pack at the start of Saturday's pro men's race.
"To be able to qualify for start positions using CompuTrainer was a really neat and unique addition," says Curtis Gunn of Team Seasilver, who participated in the finals of the MultiRiderq qualifier. "The Athens Twilight is notoriously fast from the start. Something like this is very practical for the bigger races, and especially in criteriums. The race goes by so fast, so whatever advantage a person can get is helpful."
MultiRider qualifying had significant crowd, too, giving fans an extended view of their cycling favorites as compared to during the race itself, when the pros flashed past at speeds of up to 40 mph. "The CompuTrainer Qualifier definitely added an edge to the race," explains Chad Andrews, race commentator and lead contact at North Carolina's Per4mance Training Center, one of CompuTrainer's 60 MultiRider Centers. "Overall, it has the ability to greatly impact rider's approach to qualifying and the way that races are organized in the future. It definitely makes the stakes higher."
Several hundred fans gathered around riders themselves and thousands watched the qualifying action on a large 25x30 foot screen, as riders battled it out using the MultiRider system. Andrews concludes: "The biggest effect I think that this has is that it gives an actual interaction between the riders competing and the audience. You had a tremendous turnout with people cheering on the riders up close. It's one thing in a race, where you get that in spurts as you pass through the course. It's another thing when all these people are constantly right there motivating you to get the best time. It was definitely harder than what some riders thought it would be. It's a tool that actually builds excitement for the actual race." With the sport of cycling always searching for economical ways of bringing the action home to the fans, the question begs: has RacerMate triggered a new wave?
ABOUT RacerMate:
RacerMate has been the undisputed leader in bicycle training technology for close to thirty years. Over 10,000 CompuTrainer owners have improved their biking performance by 20% to 30%. You will too. With the new MultiRider software up to 8 CompuTrainer users can race/train together. Results can be uploaded to the company database, where they can be compared with those of pro and amateur and beginner riders all over the world. For general information, visit www.racermateinc.com
-30-
Media Contact:
Chuck Wurster
Tel: (206) 524-7392 x307
chuck.wurster@computrainer.com