FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Pete Sherrard, Central Florida Sports Commission 407-648-4900 x13
Barbara Knous, City of Orlando 407-246-3245 or cell 321-229-9324

FAST-PACED BICYCLING AT 
LAKE EOLA AND SOUTHPORT PARK 

ORLANDO, Fla. (February 19, 2003) – The Festival of Speed, set for March 8-9, 2003, joins the country’s top cycling events as part of the 2003 (NRC) National Racing Calendar. The City of Orlando has teamed up with the Central Florida Sports Commission and FloridaRacing.net to host the event. 

On Saturday, March 8, at 8:30 a.m., the Lake Eola Criterium will begin at Lake Eola Park in Downtown Orlando. This Criterium will feature fast-paced professional bicycling while providing food, live music, a cultural arts exhibit, interactive booths and a variety of races, including a 2:40 p.m. Kiddie Ride for children 12 and under. On Sunday, March 9, beginning at 8:15 a.m., a full day of professional racing will be held at Southport Park, a 50-acre City park, located west of Orlando’s International Airport.

This cycling event gained the acceptance of the U.S. Cycling Federation (USCF) as one of the top fifty road cycling events in the nation. Orlando will host some of the world’s top professional cyclists to Orlando’s Bicycle Friendly City and allow them to compete for a prize purse. Competitors include the return of Ivan Dominguez, a current defending champion of the New York City Cycling 2002 Championship and Team Saturn, one of the most dominant domestic-based professional cycling teams. 

This event is sponsored by the Orlando Utilities Commission, the Downtown Development Board and Darden Restaurants. For more information regarding Festival of Speed, log on to www.festivalofspeed.org or call (407) 648-4900 x13.

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