16 teams have confirmed participation in the 9th CSC Invitational, scheduled for Saturday, June 3rd, 2006 in Arlington, VA, USA. The field will include nine former podium finishers of this event as well as dozens of current and former US and overseas national champions. This year's Pro race promises to be one of the most competitive races in 2006, with every team bringing a full complement of eight riders.
16 Pro Teams and one amateur team have confirmed, including: Team CSC, Toyota-United, Jelly Belly, Navigators Insurance, Health Net Presented by Maxxis, Jittery Joes-Zero Gravity, Colavita Olive Oil/Sutter Home Wines, TIAA-CREF, Priority Health, Targetraining, KodakGallery.com - Sierra Nevada, Rite Aid, AEG Toshiba- Jetnetwork, VMG, Calyon-Litespeed, Nerac-Outdoor Lights and amateur team Rockville Harley – Davidson.
"With all the sprinting firepower this year, teams will looking more than ever to find the right combination of riders to form a break and avoid rolling the dice on a bunch sprint." said Robert Laybourn, CSC Invitational Race Director. "With the depth of the teams coming, there are scores of riders that will animate this year's race."
Defending champion Ivan Dominguez (Cub) will be on hand with his talented Toyota-United team, including 2005 USPRO Champion Chris Wherry. Team CSC's Lars Michaelsen (Den), winner of the 2004 edition, will be joined by American teammate Christian VandeVelde. Vassili Davidenko (Rus) of the Navigators Insurance team will look to add to his win and two third places finishes on the famous 1K course in Arlington, VA. Health Net Presented by Maxxis will have a powerful one-two with Kirk O'Bee, former USPRO Crit Champion, and Gord Fraser (CAN), former Canadian National Champion. This duo has three second place finishes between them at the CSC Invitational.
Racing begins at 8am with two amateur men's races, followed by the women's race. The Kids' race (free to all children 9 and under) begins at 11:35 am. Then, the CSC Invitational Men's Pro race will begin at high noon, and will feature 100 laps on the 1km, five turn course.
More information: www.arlingtonsports.org
