The US Gran Prix of Cyclo-cross has picked up another sponsor for the series event, this time car manufacturer Toyota, which has signed on as the title of the USGP Portland Cup (December 1-2). Portland Metro Toyota Dealers will support the race, which will serve as the final stop in the six-race national series marks the fourth consecutive year Portland will play host to the USGP. This is the second USGP event to be supported by Toyota, after the Kentucky branch stepped in as presenting sponsor of next week's opening event.
"The local Toyota dealers are proud to sponsor the final weekend series of the US Gran Prix of Cyclo-cross - the Toyota Portland Cup," said Russ Humberston Jr., of Beaverton Toyota. "There is a tremendous excitement for the sport of cyclo-cross here in Portland and we are glad we can help bring the best cyclo-cross racing in the US to town."
The USGP Toyota Portland Cup will be held on the same course that was used for the 2004 National Championships and should be a challenge for the series finale.
"It's relatively flat and offers spectators a wide open view of almost the entire course from the infield at Portland International Raceway," said Brad Ross, local organizer for the USGP of Cyclo-cross Toyota Portland Cup.
"As in the past, we expect that having our race in December means that the weather is going to play a huge role in the outcome here," added Ross. "When it's muddy - and it's always muddy - the rider who handles the slippery, muddy technical sections the best is the person who will win the race."
The USGP kicks off October 27 - 28 in Louisville, Kentucky with the Papa John's Derby City Cup presented by Toyota. The second stop will be the Mercer Cup presented by Knapp's Cyclery in West Windsor, NJ on November 17-18. The series will then return to Portland, Oregon for the fourth consecutive year for the Toyota Portland Cup final races December 1-2.
More information on the USGP will be released in the coming weeks. For more information on the USGP, visit www.usgpcyclocross.com.
