World Champions Brighten Ridge Hill Putnam Cycling Classic International Field to Race in Cold Spring, NY, This Sunday

World Champions Brighten Ridge Hill Putnam Cycling Classic
International Field to Race in Cold Spring, NY, This Sunday

Contact:           Libby Pataki – libby.pataki@putnamcountyny.gov
                        John Eustice – jde@spartacycling.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Cold Spring, NY – Three-time Professional World Cyclocross Champion, Erwin Vervecken of Belgium and current double World Champion Ann Marie Miller of New York City head the international list of starters for this Sunday’s Ridge Hill Putnam Cycling Classic.

Vervecken, now retired from professional racing remains an active lifetime cyclist. The Belgian won his world titles in 2001, 2006 and 2007 in the very popular discipline of cyclocross, an off-road sport that can be described as a mix between steeplechase and motocross. “I’m really looking forward to competing in the Ridge Hill Putnam Cycling Classic.  I have raced cyclocross in the States before, but never a road race.  The region looks fabulous and the course challenging.”

Ann Marie Miller, whose double World Master’s Championship wins last year in South Africa crowned a career that includes 11 United States Master’s Championships, will look to repeat her winning ways with a strong ride in Putnam County this Sunday. “I rode the first Classic last May when it was a test event for this year’s international one. It’s a hard and beautiful racecourse, with perfect protection for the cyclists.  A worthy event for a World Championship effort.”

Among the more than 300 currently registered riders is a strong contingent from Costa Rica, including the famously tough Robert Nunes, winner of the Masters race at the prestigious Cascade Cycling Classic in Oregon last year. Canada is represented from coast to coast, with riders hailing from Newfoundland to British Columbia.

“As the shopping center of choice for outdoor recreation, Westchester’s Ridge Hill is delighted to be supporting cycling and an international sporting event at this high level,” said Kathy Welch, EVP of Forest City Ratner Companies, owners of Ridge Hill. “The Ridge Hill Putnam Cycling Classic really shares our own philosophy of bringing to our region and our customers the very best the world has to offer—in our case, stylish fashion, great dining and entertainment all year round!”
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“This is what the Ridge Hill Putnam Cycling Classic is all about.” stated Libby Pataki, Director of Tourism for Putnam County, NY,  “International sport in a beautiful setting made possible by wonderful civic cooperation and enthusiastic sponsors.”

For more information please go to: www.putnamcycling.com

About Putnam County Tourism….
Putnam County Tourism is dedicated to positively promoting and advancing the visitor experience. While Putnam is the second smallest county in New York, it offers as much as any larger county when it comes to outdoor recreation such as biking, skiing, fishing, hunting, swimming, and boating. We also work to promote our fine restaurants, bed and breakfasts, historic sites and cultural events and post up-to-date listings on our comprehensive website: www.visitputnam.org.
Visitors arrive easily by train at Metro-North Railroad stations in Cold Spring, Garrison, Brewster, Southeast and Patterson or by car via I-84 and the Taconic State Parkway. A mere 60 miles north of Manhattan, Putnam County is directly across the Hudson River from the United States Military Academy at West Point.

About Westchester’s Ridge Hill?Westchester’s Ridge Hill is a regional destination for the very best shopping, dining and entertainment Westchester has to offer. Patterned after a classic downtown with a lush town square, it features a children’s play area, dancing fountains, and a trolley—the Westchester’s Ridge Hill Express.
Shopping, dining and entertainment options at Ridge Hill include National Amusements Showcase Cinema de Lux—a 12-screen movie theater featuring a restaurant, bar and children’s playroom, REI and Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Lord & Taylor, as well as popular brands and retailers like Apple, The Art of Shaving, Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, Bath & Body Works, Bonefish Grill, Brio Tuscan Grille,  Brooks Brothers Flatiron Shop, Charming Charlie, The Cheesecake Factory, Clarks, Desigual, Express, Elevation Burger, Francesca’s Collections, Gap, GapKids, Guitar Center, Havana Central, H&M, LA Fitness, Lefteris Gyro, The Limited, L.L.Bean, Old Navy, Orvis, Pandora, Republic of Couture, Sephora, South Moon Under, Subway, Sur La Table, Texas de Brazil, T•J•Maxx, Vera Bradley, Verizon/Go Wireless, Victoria’s Secret, White House¦Black Market, Whole Foods Market and Yard House. LegoLand Discovery Center, Haagen-Dazs and our fabulous two-level UNIQLO are now open! And soon, Ridge Hill will see the opening of Frannie’s Goodie Shop! Located at Exit 6A off the New York State Thruway and at the Tuckahoe Road West Exit from the Sprain Brook Parkway, this shopping and dining haven is easily accessible to millions of Westchester, Putnam and Metropolitan-area residents and visitors. Westchester’s Ridge Hill features 160,000 square feet of office space— approximately 110,000 square feet of which is occupied by WESTMED Medical Group as well as an urgent care center. Learn more at http://www.westchestersridgehill.com
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About UCI World Cycling Tour
The UCI World Cycling Tour (UWCT) is a series of UCI-sanctioned races that are held all over the world. The UWCT will comprise a maximum of 15 qualifier events, leading to the UWCT Final, the former UCI Masters Road World Championships. The top 25% in each age group of the qualifier events will automatically have the right to compete in the UWCT Final and race for the coveted UCI rainbow jersey. After its launch last year, the UCI World Cycling Tour enters the 2013 season with more events in more continents. The series has become a brand for amateurs and masters in cycling.

About Sparta Cycling
Sparta Cycling specializes in international cycling event and television productions. Current events include the Skyscraper Harlem Cycling Classic, the UWCT Berkshire Cycling Classic and the Bucks County Classic. Founded in 1998, Sparta productions have included the Tour of Connecticut, the Housatonic Valley Classic, the Univest Grand Prix and Cyclosportif 100k, the US Open of Cycling, the USA Cycling Espoirs Time Trial and Road Racing Championships, the USA Cycling Junior Time Trial, Road Race and Criterium Championships and the Paralympic National Cycling Championships.