Mark your calendars, plan a picnic dinner (or two) and make plans now for a wild time at the Marymoor Velodrome on Friday, July 23 and Saturday, July 24 for the 2010 FSA Grand Prix presented by NUUN. The 2010 FSA Grand Prix promises some of the fastest, most exciting and spectator friendly bicycle racing in North America. Think about it – one gear, no brakes, riding inches apart on a banked oval at speeds up to 40 miles per hour! This is bike racing in its purest and most exciting form and simply a “must do” this summer.
As an added bonus, Cascade Bicycle Club members get free admission both nights – just show your card at the entry gate.
Both nights will feature up to 15 different races with anywhere from two to 40 racers on the track at the same time. Friday night’s action kicks off at 7 p.m. and features the always exciting Keirin – a race where seven to eight racers are “paced” around the track for four laps drafting behind a motorcycle as it accelerates to 30 mph before pulling out of the way for the wild sprint for the finish line. Friday night will also feature the “Madison” as a finale. The Madison (named for Madison Square Gardens – the home of track cycling during the jazz era) features teams of two riders racing an unbelievable tag-team race. In a fantastic display of controlled chaos/poetry, exchanges occur once every lap or so with the racing teammate literally slinging his partner up to speed and into the action.
Saturday night racing also starts at 7 p.m. and features more exciting races, including sprint finals, more Keirins, the “miss and out,” the “points races” and a new tradition the Women’s Madison!
Competition this year should be hot! Racing the last several years at the FSA Grand Prix has seen some of the top men and women riders in the U.S., Canada and Australia compete all weekend. Combined with our local talent the results have been spectacular. With this year’s prize purse of at least $15,000.00 and a growing reputation as one of the best track racing events in North America, we expect the turnout to be even better and competition even faster.
As a special treat, Friday and Saturday nights will also feature a Marymoor favorite – the “Kiddie Kilo!” Kids: bring your bikes and helmet and join the fun! Adults – you won’t be left out- Saturday night will also feature several heats of Fat Tire Ale Cruiser Bike races – Bring your helmet!
With only a $5.00 adult regular admission fee (free for kids and Cascade members) this is a great place to enjoy a warm mid-summer evening of bike racing. Bring a picnic and spread out on the grass surrounding the velodrome, or join the cheering section in the Fat Tire Ale beer garden from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. both nights.
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