PRESS RELEASE
6/20/2019
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Adam Myerson
New England Critweek Director
adam@cycle-smart.com
Cycle-Smart is proud to announce the schedule, rules, and organization of the 2019 New England Critweek presented by Verge.
After five successful years at the helm, original Critweek director Alan Cote, who also served as organizer of the Fitchburg Longsjo Classic, decided it was time to step down and turn the series over to Cycle-Smart’s Adam Myerson, the overall winner of the series in 2018.
"I started Critweek in 2014 to link together some of New England's best downtown bike races," said Cote. “It was time for me to pass the baton. Adam Myerson, with his years of experience running the Vittoria Northeast Cyclocross Series, is the ideal person to hand it off to."
For his part, Myerson was happy to take the project on. “For me as a participant in Critweek, but also someone who’s dedicated his life to promoting cycling in all aspects, I couldn’t say no to the opportunity to try and develop Critweek to its maximum potential. I got to make a living racing criteriums all over the country, and the lack of big events locally was always a disappointment for me. My first goal is to take Alan’s previous hard work and stabilize the series in this current period of contraction in the sport, solidify our success locally, and find us a permanent slot between Tour of America’s Dairyland and and Intelligentsia Cup that will allow us to grow nationally.”
This year’s Critweek is anchored around the classic criteriums in Fitchburg and Exeter, as well as the model event for future success in Greenfield.
The Fitchburg Longsjo Classic on Sunday, July 7th is named after Arthur “Art” Matthew Longsjo, Jr. (October 23, 1931 – September 16, 1958), who was an American Olympian speed skater and cyclist. He was the first person to compete in the Summer and Winter Olympics in the same year.
In 1958 Longsjo won three races: the Tour of Somerville, the Tour du St. Laurent stage race and the Quebec-Montreal Road Race. He died that same year in a car crash in Burlington, Vermont, returning from the race in Quebec.
In 1960 the Fitchburg Longsjo Classic criterium was held in Fitchburg in memory of Longsjo, and continues to this day. As it approaches its 60th anniversary, the event will be managed for the first time by Reese Brown of RDB Events.
“This is a very exciting year for the Longsjo Classic as we are truly partnering with the revitalization of Fitchburg,” said Brown. “Not only will this be a fantastic bike race, but there will be many more activities for the spectators and fans including two beer zones from River Styx Brewery, a band playing during the race, expanded kids activities and a community expo near the Start/Finish line. This will be a not to miss day!”
The Exeter Classic in downtown Exeter, NH, returns for its 35th edition on Tuesday, July 9th, with a focus on equal prize lists and race durations for men and women in a focused, twilight criterium environment. Organizers Ryan Kelly and Michael Morse were proud to note that half of the funds raised in their late-race crowd primes will be donated to local charity Annie’s Angels, and that the race will be live streamed on local channel Exeter TV98.
As the new kid on the block, the Greenfield Criterium on Sunday, July 14th, continues in its 4th year to focus on development, with an intro clinic and race for those looking to explore the sport in a supportive setting. As one of the few female event organizers, Lydia Hausle has made it a priority for her event to focus on inclusion, with the stated goal of garnering 20% participation by women, well over the total number of women currently holding USA Cycling licenses. All event proceeds benefit the Greenfield Recreation Department.
As a series, Critweek will offer equal overall prize money of $500 over three places for elite men and women, with points awarded over 15 places, and two intermediate sprints during the race. The leader’s jerseys will once again be provided by Verge Sport.
For more information on all the events and Critweek rules, visit https://www.necritweek.com/.
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