The growing popularity of bicycle riding and racing throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania is the impetus behind the Road Cycling League Super Series, a five-weekend, seven-day series of bicycle road races in Chester and Lancaster County communities this spring, beginning April 9 and running through July 4.

Each weekend event is sanctioned by USA Cycling, the national governing body of the sport, and will include races for licensed competitors in age and ability categories including novices, masters (ages 35 and older), experienced amateurs and professionals.  Points will be awarded to the top riders in each race and will accumulate throughout the Super Series to determine overall winners in each category.  Each one-day race will offer between $2,000 and $3,000 in prize money, and the two omnium stage races, the Tour de Ephrata and Coatesville Classic, will have more than $10,000 each in prize money.

According to RCL co-founder and executive director of the TD Bank Philadelphia International Cycling Championship, Dave Chauner: “Area cyclists will recognize the Fulton, Ephrata, Oxford and Mt. Nebo races that were created and managed by Lancaster event organizer, Rich Ruoff, and last held in 2008. We are pleased to help Rich revive these popular events and add a new race in Coatesville under the inaugural RCL Super Series. With Southeast Pennsylvania a hotbed of cycling competition, the series is sure to help develop new talent and give area bike clubs and teams more great venues for quality races.”

In all, this Super Series of bike racing in five communities throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania is designed to provide regular, high quality racing for the region’s exploding population of avid cyclists, from novice to pro to master. In addition, the Road Cycling League offers news and information to advance recreational competitive cycling, encourage newcomers to participate, and build enthusiasm for the National Velodrome Center coming to Coatesville in 2012.

“The first race of the series, scheduled for April 9, is a beautiful 10-mile course with lots of flat ground to cover, a few rollers and a couple of climbs,” said race director, Rich Ruoff. “It’s the perfect early season race through rural countryside in picturesque Lancaster County.”

2011 Road Cycling League Dates and Events:
April 9 – Fulton Road Race
April 30-May 1 – Tour of Ephrata 2-day
May 21 – Oxford Road Race
June 11 – Tour of Mt. Nebo
July 3-4 – Coatesville Classic 2-day

More information is available on the RCL website: www.roadcyclingleague.com

The Road Cycling League is a division of American Cycling Group, LLC, a new holding company that develops and manages cycling events, facilities and programs.  ACG has acquired a controlling interest in Pro Cycling Tour, the management company of the TD Bank Philadelphia International Cycling Championship, now heading into its 27th year, and is developing several new initiatives in cycling.  They include the National Velodrome Center in Coatesville, Pa., the the Reading Radsport, a grand-scale recreational cycling event in Berks County, and Velo Souplesse Cycling Performance Center in West Chester, Pa.