FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:  Maryalicia Johnson 407-468-3379, pager 407-231-9081

MAYOR DYER TO WELCOME CYCLISTS
TO FESTIVAL OF SPEED

(see photos)

ORLANDO, Fla. (March 10, 2004) – On the steps of City Hall at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Mayor Buddy Dyer will proclaim the weekend “Festival of Speed” weekend, welcoming local, national and pro cyclists to Orlando.

Professional national teams have registered to compete in the Festival of Speed Downtown Criterium Race on Saturday, March 13, 2004 in the Pro 1-2 event. National leading cycling competitors from Jelly Belly Cycling Team, Mercy Cycling Team, Jittery Joes, Team Mapei and Krystal Cycling Team will race for $16,000 in cash and prizes.

The City of Orlando has teamed with FloridaRacing.net and the Central Florida Sports Commission to host one of the country’s top cycling events. The Downtown Criterium will begin at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday and will continue through the evening with high-speed bicycle races, live music, kids’ activities, bicycle safety demonstrations and the Great Orlando Bicycle Ride. On Sunday, March 14, the Festival will continue with the Southport Circuit Races starting at 9 a.m.

The weekend-long Festival of Speed recently gained the acceptance of the U.S. Cycling Federation (USCF) as one of the top fifty road cycling events in the nation. It will introduce some of the world’s top professional cyclists to Orlando’s Bicycle Friendly City and allow them to compete for a prize purse while providing free family action sports entertainment.

For more information, please visit www.festivalofspeed.org.
 

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