Ten races taking riders as far east as New York, as far north as Vancouver, and as far west as Nevada will make up the 2008 USA Crits Series which gets underway this Saturday in Athens, Georgia with the Athens Twilight Criterium. The series has a total prize fund of $500,000 with the finale scheduled for Las Vegas on September 25.
More than 25 different teams will compete in the men's series, while at least 17 will feature in the women's event. 2007 men's champion Frank Travieso of the Toshiba-Santo Pro Cycling Team will be back again this year and is ready to defend his title.
"The USA Crits Series is a great opportunity for teams to showcase their best riders in the best criteriums in America," said Travieso. "The race in Vegas was exactly what this series is about – high-paced racing, exciting atmosphere. We are ready to defend our titles heading into Athens and the rest of the series in 2008."
Joining the series this year is the Harlem Skyscraper Classic in New York for its 35th edition, plus events in Tulsa, Oklahoma and Vancouver, British Colombia.
The full USA Crits 2008 schedule:
Athens Twilight Criterium, Athens, GA - Saturday, April 27
Tulsa Tough, Tulsa, OK - Sunday, June 1
Harlem Skyscraper Classic, New York, NY - Sunday, June 15
AT&T Austin Criterium, Austin, TX - Saturday, June 21
Iron Hill Twilight Criterium, West Chester, PA - Saturday, July 5
BC Cancer Foundation's Tour de Gastown, Vancouver, BC - Wednesday, July 16
Wells Fargo Twilight Criterium, Boise, ID - Saturday, July 19
Presbyterian Hospital Invitational Criterium, Charlotte, NC - Sunday, August 2
Chris Thater Memorial, Binghamton, NY - Sunday, August 24
USA CRITS Final, Las Vegas, NV - Thursday, September 25
