Sporty, hard working and stylish and mindful of the terrain being traveled – that sure sounds like a cyclist but it’s also a fitting description of the all-new Acura TSX Sport Wagon.  In fact, the sleek, new wagon, introduced in December of 2010, will be a familiar sight at the TD Bank Philadelphia International Cycling Championship when the event rolls into town in early June.  Pro Cycling Tour officials announced today that Acura has signed on as the official car of the professional road race, which is gearing up for its 27th run on June 5, 2011, with Acura’s new TSX Sport Wagon leading the pack as the pace cars for both the men’s and women’s events. 

This new relationship between Acura and Pro Cycling Tour effectively expands the automaker’s relationship with cycling, as Acura is also the official car sponsor of two professional racing teams, Team Kelly Benefit Strategies-OptumHealth and the BMC Racing Team.  Currently, the Team Kelly Benefit Strategies-OptumHealth is slated to compete in Philadelphia.As the sponsor of one of the most successful professional cycling races in the U.S., the TD Bank Philadelphia International Cycling Championship, we’re excited to share our new, stylishly sporty and modern Acura TSX Sport Wagon with those that are passionate about outdoor activities and appreciate a good dose of refinement too,” Susie Rossick, Acura Brand Manager.

Acura will be supplying vehicles for officials and VIP guests that will be used in the 156-mile men’s race and the two-and-a-half hour, 55-mile women’s Liberty Classic.  Acura will be represented by the TSX Sport Wagon along the 14.4-mile race course that stretches from the city’s Benjamin Franklin Parkway to its hillside neighborhood of Manayunk.

“We are thrilled that Acura is joining us to showcase another year of the best in international cycling here in Philadelphia,” said David Chauner, president of Pro Cycling Tour and a co-founder of the race.  “Quick vehicles with excellent handling are critical to race operations, and the new Acura TSX Sport Wagon is beautifully suited for this duty,” he said.

Race officials and members of the press as well as key sponsors and guests of the race also will get their turns to spin around the course in a specially designated fleet of Acura vehicles for exclusive “up close and personal” rides.  In addition, a few lucky VIP race-goers will have a chance to experience the highly sought-after race car experience through a special drawing of VIP ticketholders.

Acura will also be featured in the race’s Expo, held on Saturday, June 4, and on race day, Sunday, June 5, near the main staging area of the race on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The Expo will feature the latest technology, products and apparel from some of the top dealers and manufacturers in the cycling, health, fitness and lifestyle industries.

Throughout its 27-year history, the Philadelphia International Cycling Championship has been a cornerstone of American professional cycling and is the only bike race in the U.S. that takes over a major city for six hours and draws crowds of 300,000-plus.  The event will welcome 400 professional cyclists from 20 countries, and close to 1,000 amateur cyclists in ancillary events.
For more information about Acura, visit www.acura.com.  For additional information about the TD Bank Philadelphia International Cycling Championship, please visit www.procyclingtour.com.