New cycling race rolling in to Downtown Lodi

Andres Gil, a Lodi Unified School District teacher, races in a recent Davis Downtown Criterium. Lodi will host a similar event, the Lodi Cycle Fest, which is modeled after the events in Davis, on July 12. Gil is expected to be a favorite to win the men's professional division of the race. (Courtesy photo)

New cycling race rolling in to Downtown Lodi

By Richard Banas II
News-Sentinel Staff Writer

Saturday, June 13, 2009 6:14 AM PDT

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It won't exactly be the Tour de France, but local bicycle racing enthusiasts will get a chance to participate in the first Lodi Cycle Fest to be held downtown on July 12.

Michael-David Wineries will present the event as the title sponsor in conjunction with the Delta Velo/Grand Prix Cycling Team and race organizers expect upwards of 500 professional and amateur riders to be on hand for the event — the first of its kind in Lodi.

According to Damian Gonzalez of the Delta Velo team, the event, estimated to attract around 2,000 spectators, will provide a much-needed shot in the arm for downtown businesses and give bicycling competitors from all over Northern California a chance to shine in the spotlight.

"We hope for a big turnout in order to provide the local economy a little boost," Gonzalez said. "We want the community to have an event like this that they can call their own to enjoy and inspire them to get out and ride."

Delta/Velo and the Lodi Chamber of Commerce are hoping for a huge groundswell of support and volunteers from the community to help make the inaugural Cycle Fest a smashing success and hopefully attract the attention of the Tour of California to convince the annual race to hold one of its stages in Lodi in the future.

Lodi resident and USA Level II Cycling coach Robert Fuller thinks the city has all the tools in place to do just that as interest in cycling is at an all-time high, thanks to the recent exploits of Lance Armstrong and others like Levi Leipheimer.

"If Lodi wants to host a stage of the Tour of California, they will have to prove to the TOC organizers that the community will support a cycling event," Fuller said. "The Lodi Cycle Fest will do just that. If Lodi does get a stage of the Tour of California, it would be huge."

Lodi Cycle Fest

What: The first race of its kind held in Lodi. The Criterium-style race will feature nine divisions and is expected to draw 500 professional and amateur racers, as well as 2,000 spectators, from all over Northern California.
When: From 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on July 12.
Where: Downtown Lodi.
The race: The Criterium, with a one-mile loop circuit format, will have nine different categories for men and women ranging from 40 to 70 minutes in length.
Cost: For cyclists — $27-$35 and there will be a free race for kids ages 4-12. Free for spectators.
Prizes: Range from $200-$2,500.
Want to volunteer or be a sponsor? Call Josh Geisler at 810-3513 or e-mail him atjoshg302@yahoo.com., or e-mail Damian Gonzalez at damian@deltavelo.com.
For more information or to register go to www.deltavelo.com.

Fuller, 45, a triathlete who has coached for 16 years and is currently the lead coach for the Lodi-based Rocket Sports/Trek Junior Development team, says Andres Gil, a high school teacher for the Lodi Unified School District who was the California state champion a couple of years ago, is considered one of the top favorites in the men's professional race.

"In my mind the biggest racer in Lodi on the day will be Delta Velo's own Andres Gil. If Andres would have started racing earlier in his career he would be one of the top pros. He still is one of the best amateurs in the nation," said Fuller, who is volunteering his services for the Cycle Fest. "Andres will have several of his own teammates at the races and I would not be surprised if any one of them would take first in the pro race."

There will be Criterium (one-mile loop circuit format) races in nine different categories for men and women ranging from 40-to-70 minutes in length and includes a free, one-lap race for the kids around a tight, six-corner course with the start and finish lines beginning and ending at School and Walnut Streets.

Registration and entry fees vary from $27-$35 and cash prizes will range from $200 to upwards of $2,500 for each race. All winners will also receive a box of wine. In the kids race, medals will be awarded to all entrants age 4-12 and limited to a field of 50 riders. All competitive racers must present United States Cycling Federation licenses in order to participate.

Any rider can enter an additional race for $20 more for the event, with the first race beginning at 8 a.m. and the final event, the men's professional, at 3:30 p.m. Registration closes 15 minutes before each race with the exception of the kids race, where entries will be taken from 8 a.m. to noon. All registration fees for the USCF-sanctioned event includes food and beverage by DeVinci's Delicatessen and the Michael-David Family of Wines.

According to Gonzalez, anyone wishing to volunteer or become a sponsor for the Lodi Cycle Fest can contact Josh Geisler at 810-3513 or by e-mail atjoshg302@yahoo.com., or Gonzalez at damian@deltavelo.com. All volunteers and sponsors will be provided with food and beverages.

"Basically, we need as many folks to contribute in one way or another," Gonzalez said. "Downtown bike racing events are like no other and very difficult for one small organization to pull off."

Contact reporter Richard Banas II at sports@lodinews.com.

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