News Shorts 4/4

Tonight is opening night for the KCBC/Defined Fitness Tuesday night training criteriums. An item on the Revolution Racing site indicates that the Perry-Roubaix gravel road race and the Firecracker 500 events are no-go for this year, but the 3rd Annual VeloTek Grand Prix Stage Race is scheduled for April 29th and 30th, 2006. The folks in Wichita have sent the flyer for the upcoming River Festival events. The localcycling news desk hasn’t received final results for the Spring Fling series (or Bazaar Road Race) but we do have some cool pictures from Bruce Edwards. Lastly John Lefler sends this press release for a fine event:

LINCOLN PLATING SPRING CYCLING CLASSIC TURNS FAB FIVE!

Lincoln, NE – April 3, 2006 – The 5th Annual Lincoln Plating Spring Cycling Classic, a benefit for the Willard Community Center will be held Saturday and Sunday, April 22-23, 2006 on the roads in and around Lincoln, NE. The Willard Community Center, a non-profit community center providing services for both adults and youth is located in southwest Lincoln. The 2005 Lincoln Plating Spring Cycling Classic raised over $5000 for the Willard Community Center.

The two-day stage race format will feature a road race and individual time trial at Branched Oak Lake on Saturday, April 22 and a circuit race at Pioneers Park on Sunday, April 23.

The event boasts $6000 cash prize list, which attracts riders from Nebraska, Iowa, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri and Minnesota. The Lincoln Plating Spring Classic serves as the kick-off for the Midwest Maxxis Cup, a point series to crown the regions top cyclists in various categories. In addition, the Lincoln Plating Spring Cycling Classic has been designated as a "Lance Armstrong Junior Olympic Series" event, which provides junior racers 18 & under an opportunity to earn points for special invitations to regional and national training camps. This year’s event will also feature a Collegiate Stage Race with schools from Nebraska, South Dakota, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri and Minnesota all vying for points to earn a spot at the Collegiate Nationals in Lawrence, KS May 12-14, 2006.

The Lincoln Plating Spring Cycling Classic will also feature a "Kids Bike Parade" for children ages 3-12 at 11:30a.m. on Sunday, April 23 at Pioneers Park. Children will have the opportunity to decorate their bikes and display them for the crowd prior to the Pro 1/2 race.

The kids parade is free, but pre-registration is required to accomodate all of the children. Sign-up is available on www.lincolnplating.com or by calling Lincoln Plating Wellness Manager, Tonya Vyhlidal at 402-475-3671. Complete information regarding the 5th Annual Lincoln Plating Spring Cycling Classic is available online by visiting www.nebraskacyclingnews.com.

For more information, please contact Race Director, John M. Lefler, Jr. at 402-499-2065.