Gerolsteiner/Specialized rider Levi Leipheimer will head the panel of judges in an essay competition for young Northern California riders to select 15 riders who will be supported in the 2006 season and mentored by top riders.
The theme of the essay contest is "why I want to be a bicycle racer" and it's supported by Specialized, Leipheimer, NorCal Bike Sport, and the City of Santa Rosa, CA. Entries must be submitted by January 31, 2006, and the winner will be selected by a panel of judges, led by Levi Leipheimer of Team Gerolsteiner/Specialized, a Santa Rosa, CA local. Contest winners will be announced during the Tour of California in February. Rules and regulations of the contest can be found at www.norcalcycling.com.
The ""why I want to be a bicycle racer" contest will be supported by a fund-raising event on the evening of January 13, 2006 at NorCal Bike Sport's new store in Santa Rosa, CA, featuring fine dining, music from The James Stafford Trio, and presentations by Levi Leipheimer and Dr. Max Testa. Leipheimer and Testa will also be available to sign autographs.
Tickets for the fund-raising dinner are $250 per person, or $500 per person for a spot at the tables of Levi Leipheimer, Dr. Max Testa, or five-time Olympic gold medalist, Eric Heiden. Limited seating is available. Contact NorCal Bike Sport directly at 707-573-0112 to purchase tickets. More information is available at www.norcalcycling.com, www.levileipheimer.com, or www.specialized.com. Proceeds of the event will also benefit A Leg Up animal rescue www.aleguprescue.org.
