By Andy Bohlmann

Sand Creek Sports

The Carmichael Training Systems International Classic presented by GT Bicycles, July 9-11, is the featured event in the 2010 seven race Carmichael Training Systems Summer of Cycling in the Pikes Peak Region of Colorado. This race is a UCI C2, USA Cycling Pro XCT stage race with a $10,000 cash prize list for the Elite Men and Women.  It offers nearly half of all UCI points available in the US this year.  As the final Pro XCT series race, the overall Pro XCT series Men and Women winners will get an automatic 2010 World Championship spot to be announced at this race.  This race is the single most important race in the US this year for Elite riders as it is also a 2012 Olympic Qualification race.
 Held at Cheyenne Mountain State Park in Colorado Springs, CO, this final National Championship Qualification race and Alison Dunlap Junior Mountain Bike Series race will begin with a late Friday afternoon time trail for all classes and will use the locally infamous “Medicine Wheel” trail.  On Saturday, all amateurs will race the same 4.9 mile short cross country course as the UCI Elites.  This course includes the challenging “Cougars Shadow” trail that surprised quite a few Pro rider’s last year with it’s twisting single track laced with boulders sometimes the size of small cars.   On Sunday, the amateurs will line up for a second cross country course while the UCI Elites will race the UCI regulation “Criterium” that afternoon.
 All courses use the same Start and Finish lines in the middle of the Expo/Team Parking area.  Carmichael Training Systems, GT Bicycles, Kenda and Excel Sports are just a few of the exhibitors who will be on hand at the nearly sold out Expo/Team Parking area. Top Pro Teams and their big trucks and canopies will also line the S/F straight.
 Spectator turnout is expected to far exceed last year’s UCI Pro XCT race.  Spectators will find all courses accessible from any number of trails starting at the S/F location and can easily move from trail to trail on each lap.   Live television coverage is expected during the Friday time trial.
 Online registration is open, Expo/Team Parking application, the Technical Guide, and complete race information is available on the race web page here.  Entries are capped at 350.  Early registration is strongly encouraged.
 The Ascent Cycling Series on May 22 in Palmer Park is the opening race in the 2010 Carmichael Training Systems Summer of Cycling.  Following the July 9-11 UCI race, the Falcon 100 KM will be held August 1st on the Falcon Trail.   It is a Rocky Mountain Games event at the US Air Force Academy.
 The Pro Cycling Colorado Senior Road Championships will be held on a closed course at the US Air Force Academy on August 15th.  As the final race in the Carmichael Training Systems Summer of Cycling, this race will also be the final Tour of Colorado race.
 The Carmichael Training Systems Summer of Cycling is sponsored by Carmichael Training Systems, Kenda, Ascent Cycling, Pactimo, Pro Cycling, Borriello Brothers NY Pizza,  Excel Sports, Front Range Orthopaedics, Peak Region Cyclist, Pikes Peak Traveland, Colorado Springs Visitors and Convention Bureau, Crowne Plaza Hotel,
Kids on Bikes, Kings Chef Diner, and About The Shot Photography.
 All events are owned, organized and managed by Sand Creek Sports, Inc. of Colorado Springs.  For complete information and Tour of Colorado information, also owned by Sand Creek Sports, Inc., visit www.sandcreeksports.com