The final weekend:
Verge New England Championship Cyclo-Cross Series
W.E. Steadman Grand Prix & NBX Grand Prix, Warwick, RI

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 4, 2007
CONTACT:
Steve Frothingham
(603) 651-6234
steve@crossnut.com

WARWICK, Rhode Island (December 4, 2007) _ Coming a week before the National Championships in Kansas City, racers are coming into the final weekend of the Verge New England Championship Cyclo-Cross Series in top form, looking to wind up their New England season and tune up for Nationals with some high-powered technical riding along Narragansett Bay.

This year's final weekend features two distinct courses at Goddard Memorial State Park, famous for its twisty, technical rooty trails through the pines and its sandy beach runs.

The 6th Annual W.E. Stedman Grand Prix of Cyclocross kicks off the weekend on Saturday. It is the Rhode Island State Championships, and will be in Goddard Park for its first time, after 5 years in South Kingstown.

The NBX Grand Prix of Cyclocross concludes the series on Sunday

Competitive tension will be high as some racers focus on individual wins while others try to solidify or improve their series standings. The Elite Mens category, for example, is full of intrigue:

Series leader Jesse Anthony (Jamis) at age 24, is in his his first season as an elite. He's confident he can maintain his lead and says he's more focused on top finishes in the individual races. "To podium both days would be awesome," Anthony said.

Second place is held down by Chris Jones (NERAC), a talented road racer emerging as a technically skilled powerhouse in his first full cyclocross season. "I am feeling rested," Jones said. “As always, NERAC will be gunning for the win, but there should be some stiff competition.”

Seven-time series winner Mark McCormack (Cliff Bar) is sitting in third in his first season as a semi-retired racer. "I would love to finish second overall behind Jesse Anthony, as he is the real future of cyclocross in the U.S.," McCormack said.

In fourth, veteran Adam Myerson (NERAC), is looking for a spot on the series podium, while wild cards include a cast of top racers hungry for race wins, including Tim Johnson (Cyclocrossworld.com-Leer-Cannondale), Jeremy Powers (Cyclocrossworld.com), Matt White (FiordiFrutta), Davide Frattini (Colavita), Jonathan Baker (Primus Mootry) and Troy Wells (Cliff Bar).

In the Elite Womens race, Lyne Bessette (Cyclocrossworld.com) has dominated the series standings even while skipping the Sterling, Mass., event to race in Europe. “I can't wait for this weekend,” Bessette said. “I have been sick a lot this fall but am ready to fight till the end.”

Second place's Rebecca Wellons (Ridley) is having a great season, and is preparing for her first European racing adventure after Nationals. “I'm looking forward to some sloppy cyclocross conditions and the long sandy beach runs,” Wellons said.

Third placed Anna Milkowski (Kona-VeloBella) says she loves the unusual Rhode Island courses. “The course is always challenging with the sand and cold weather and icy zig-zags through trees, but it should be excellent!” she said.

Some top women will be looking for race wins, including Maureen Bruno-Roy (Independent Fabrications) -- who will be a major threat if the weather turns nasty -- Natasha Elliot (Stevens) and Amy Wallace (Richard Sachs-RGM Watches).

The 2007 Verge NECCS is sponsors include: Verge Sport, makers of quality cycling apparel, and specializing in custom clothing orders; Cycle-Smart: Solutions for Cycling, personalized coaching for all cycling disciplines; BikeReg.com, the official registration service of the NECCS, is the solution for all of your online registration needs for cycling events; Greyhound Juice, warming salves and skin care products for all athletes; and Paul Weiss Photo/Video, the NECCS official photographer and videographer.

Verge New England Championship Cyclo-Cross Series:

• October 13 - Gloucester Gran Prix of Cyclocross #1 - Gloucester, MA
• October 13 - Gloucester Gran Prix of Cyclocross #2 - Gloucester, MA
• November 3 - Chainbiter 8.0 - Farmington, CT
• November 4 - Cycle-Smart International - Northampton, MA
• November 24 - Bay State Cyclocross - Sterling, MA
• December 8 - W.E. Steadman Grand Prix - Warwick, RI
• December 9 - NBX Cyclocross - Warwick, RI

For more information on the 2007 Verge New England Championship Cyclo-Cross Series please go to www.necyclocross.com