PRO CYCLING TOUR SELECTS LEHIGH VALLEY AS INTERNATIONAL BICYCLE RACE SITE (01/31/2008)

‘Lehigh Valley Classic’ Tapped As First Leg of 2008 Commerce Bank Triple Crown


Norristown, PA (January 31, 2008) - Pro Cycling Tour, LLC, organizers of the Commerce Bank Triple Crown of Cycling, announced today that the Lehigh Valley will host the first leg of the 2008 three-event international professional cycling series to take place on June 3rd , 5th and 8th . The 24th annual Philadelphia International Cycling Championship will continue to anchor what became an all-Pennsylvania series in 2006. Allentown will replace Lancaster as the kick-off event on June 3rd at 2pm, with Reading hosting the second leg, for the third consecutive year on June 5th .

The Commerce Bank Triple Crown is recognized nationally and internationally as America’s most prestigious series of professional road races, attracting many of the top professional and elite male and female cyclists from some 25 foreign countries. The Lehigh Valley Classic will feature three events including a short criterium race for elite amateur men and a similar race for elite women – both to be held in downtown Allentown – and the international men’s professional road race of approximately 90 miles, which will be conducted on a longer circuit route through the city. International rules require the men’s race to be held over a multi-lap circuit of at least 10 kilometers per lap. The course will have its main staging area and start/finish line on Hamilton Blvd. in downtown Allentown.

Commerce Bank, title sponsor of the Triple Crown, welcomes the Lehigh Valley as the first event for the series.

“Commerce Bank is thrilled to be part of this exciting new event in the Lehigh Valley. This is an excellent opportunity for Commerce to partner with the City of Allentown, Pro Cycling Tour, Lehigh County and the Lehigh Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau to stage a world-class event that will showcase the entire region,” said Commerce Bank Chief Marketing Officer, John Cunningham.

"Lehigh County is pleased to be a partner in the first Commerce Bank Lehigh Valley Classic," said Don Cunningham, Lehigh County Executive. "Lehigh County has a rich heritage in cycling and we're proud to help bring this exciting event to our region."

"This is yet another sign that Downtown Allentown is becoming a destination for unique events that highlight the ongoing revival of our city," said Mayor Ed Pawlowski. "Allentown offers tremendous entertainment, sports and recreation opportunities."
“We are very excited about bringing the race to the Lehigh Valley”, said David Chauner, president of Pro Cycling Tour and one of the founders of the Philadelphia race, which began in 1985. Chauner is a former Allentown resident who also helped manage the Lehigh County Velodrome with Bob Rodale and Jack Simes from 1975 to 1978. He also is an Olympic cyclist who raced in the 1968 and 1972 Olympics. “The velodrome in Trexlertown and the many local clubs and races in the area make this a hotbed for cycling and the ideal venue for our event.”

In addition to Commerce Bank, the Triple Crown is sponsored by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. According to Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, “This is one of the most important and exciting annual sporting events in our state and the nation and a unique regional treasure. The series supports our initiatives to promote the benefits of physical fitness, provide economic benefit to the region and foster civic pride for our citizens.”