Press Release 10.13.2005
Iron Cross III – America’s Longest Cyclocross Race
The Volkswagen Iron Cross, “America’s Longest Cyclocross Race”, is now only three days away, taking place on Sunday, October 16. Riders from across the country, places like Texas, Michigan, Kansas, and Colorado, and from as far away as Switzerland are converging on south central PA to test themselves against an unforgiving 100K course with close to 6,000 feet of climbing in the Michaux State Forest.
Lining up as the favorite is Easton/Kona’s National Master’s Champ Andy Applegate (North Carolina) a two time top five finisher who has been thwarted by mechanicals in past editions of this event. While he is excited by the reconfigured ‘cross friendlier course of this year’s Volkswagen Iron Cross, his experience is sure to come in handy on the sections of singletrack interspersed through the miles of pavement and dirt roads. Garth Prosser (OH) is an endurance race specialist for the Cannondale team and his teammate Rob Lictenwalner (PA), a multiple 24-hour soloist, will be looking to press Andy throughout the event. VisitPA.com’s Ray Adams (PA), the 2005 Mid-Atlantic Super Series Elite Champion, is another rider to watch and will be supported by his teammate and two time podium finisher at the Wilderness 101, Mike Kuhn (PA), in his bid for the victory. Also taking part is Evolution Cycling’s Nate Diebert (PA) who spent the past nine months training in Spain with a focus on the cross season. YBR’s, own Albert Greene, yet another strongman, will be the first rider we are aware of to compete in both Iron Cross and the event that planted the seed, the Three Peaks Cyclocross Race in England. With riders from across the globe taking part and so many unknowns coming to Michaux, this year’s win is up for grabs.
The Volkswagen Iron Cross is part of two days of racing that includes IC Lite, a standard length cross race that is part of the MABRA series on Saturday, October 15, and the Iron Cross XC running races, with the choice of either 15k or 30k worth of trail running on Sunday. Another unique twist to the weekend (as if there need to be any more) is the ability for the participants of Iron Cross and the Iron Cross running events to compete as part of a two person relay team allowing less experienced riders to tackle the Iron Cross Challenge.
Sponsored in part by Accelerade, the Carlisle Family YMCA;Dirt Rag Magazine; Galbraith/Pre-Design, Inc.; Green Mountain Coffee Roasters; Memphis Blues Restaurant;Dr. Drew Wellmon, II, D.O.; World Cup Ski and Cycle of Mechanicsburg, and VisitPA.com, the Volkswagen Iron Cross weekend is a joint High Speed Cycling/Yellow Breeches Racing event and supports the Carlisle YMCA.
More information about the event can be found at www.highspeedcycling.com. With no day-of registration for Iron Cross, head to www.bikereg.com and sign up by 5pm on Friday, October 14.
Mike Kuhn
High Speed Cycling
717-350-1020
highspeedcycling@gmail.com
