Project Sport to produce the Pittsburg Twilight Criterium on May 7

Pittsburg, CA/San Francisco – The Pittsburg (Ca.) Arts and Community Foundation has contracted with the sports management company Project Sport to create the Pittsburg Twilight Criterium professional cycling race on May 7 of this year.

The event will be organized in partnership with the Pittsburg Arts and Community Foundation (http://www.pittsburgfoundation.org/pittcrit1.html) and the Los Medanos Community Healthcare District (www.lmchd.org), drawing on the excitement of pro cycling and the urban pageantry of the criterium format to create a showcase attraction in the city’s rapidly growing Old Town neighborhood.

The event will present six professional races ranging from the Elite 4 and Masters categories to Women’s and Men’s Pro. In addition to the main event races, the afternoon and evening will include fun, free events for families featuring a kid’s bike race, a family fun walk, outdoor activities, and FitFest 2011 - a family fitness, health and wellness festival.

“We’ve spent almost a year building this with Project Sport, and couldn’t be more excited for what’s about to come to Pittsburg,” said Ali Endress, of the Pittsburg Art and Community Foundation. “We watched their criterium races in both San Rafael and Sacramento, and saw what huge assets they were in those communities. They provide a great presentation to the fans, bring a ton excitement to the community, bring foot traffic to business districts, and send a valuable message of fitness and health.”

Project Sport has produced the San Rafael Twilight Criterium for the past three years, and last year brought a daytime event to Sacramento that kicked off Stage 1 of the Tour of California. Organizers anticipate “The Pitt Crit” to draw top-caliber competitors similar to their previous races.

Past men’s fields have included seven-time national champion Rahsaan Bahati, Nor Cal/Nevada Crit Champion Ryan Parmes from Yahoo, and Elite National Crit Champ Steave Reaney from California Giant Berry Farms. Past San Rafael winners include Team Type 1 pro Ken Hansen and Jelly Belly Pro Cycling Team’s Bernard van Ulden. Justin Williams – riding for Trek LIVESTRONG’s Under 23 team, but racing without his teammates – put on a show of solo domination taking the Sacramento Grand Prix.

Past women’s fields have included the Peanut Butter & Co. Twenty12 team that represents the women training for the U.S. Olympic Team. PB&Co’s riders have won the USA Elite National Championships, the Nature Valley Grand Prix, and the Tour of New Zealand in the past season. Kat Carroll ran away with last year’s San Rafael event, and teammate Coryn Rivera, the junior phenom with 32 national titles, is also a Project Sport mainstay. Tyler Stewart, representing Team Luna Chix and a six-time Ironman Triathlon champion, is another frequent competitor.

“We’re excited to be working with Pittsburg,” said Project Sport president Ryan Dawkins. “Our riders love competing in Northern California – many of them live here – and Pittsburg is one of those communities that is tailor-made for hosting an event like this. Old Town is so vibrant. It will be great for the competitors and spectators alike.”

To follow developments with the Pittsburg Twilight Criterium preparation, and to see the full lineup of men’s and women’s riders when announced, fans and media should visit the Pittsburg Twilight Criterium Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pittcrit.

About Project Sport, LLC

http://www.projectsport.com

Project Sport, LLC, is a San Francisco-based sports marketing company whose mission is to provide competitive and recreational fitness events for the enjoyment of participants of all ages and skill levels. Currently, Project Sport produces the San Rafael Twilight Criterium, the Challenged Athletes Foundation’s Rock on the Green, and San Francisco’s US Half Marathon Series. In addition, Project Sport owns and operates the Areté Racing professional cycling team.

Project Sport Contact: Ryan Chamberlain // 415-300-0449 // ryanc at projectsport dot com