Wilmington Grand Prix named to National Race Calendar.
Returns May 16-17

After a banner debut in September 2007, the Wilmington Grand Prix returns May 16-17, 2008 as a U.S.A. Cycling National Race Calendar event.
The inaugural Wilmington Grand Prix drew more than 191 racers from 10 states and South America (161 men and 30 women) and nearly 5,000 spectators. It marked the return of professional cycling to Wilmington after a 10-year absence.

This year's event features some of the country's premier racers competing for a $15,000 purse in the 45-mile Grand Prix criterium. The Women's Open is a 30-mile race for a $7,500 purse. In addition, Category III and IV racers will compete for a $1,500 prize in the Men's Amateur Race.

"As part of USA Cycling's 2008 National Racing Calendar, the Bank of America Wilmington Grand Prix is one of 35 races that is now part of a season-long competitive cycling calendar for domestic-based professional and amateur cyclists," said Andy Lee of USA Cycling. "Throughout the season, men and women accumulate points according to the event's ranking which is based on several factors including prize list, history, safety, and courses.At the end of the year, USA Cycling recognizes and honors men's and women's overall and team National Racing Calendar champions based on cumulative point totals."

The Wilmington Grand Prix, sponsored by Bank of America, is part competitive cycling and part street festival. The event is being used to showcase revitalization efforts along Market Street. It includes a 7.2-mile Time Trial race through Downtown and scenic parts of Wilmington on Friday, May 16. The Time Trial course encompasses the famed cobblestone stretch of Monkey Hill that helped make Wilmington's Tour DuPont race famous more than a decade ago.

In addition, on Saturday, May 17, Grand Prix festivities include a Bike to Build benefit ride for Habitat for Humanity, the "World's Largest Bike Parade sponsored by Chase, exhibitions by BMX bicycle stunt team, relay races between four-person corporate teams, and a street festival featuring a sidewalk sale and live music.

"Wilmington is a great city, and hosting this event is an opportunity to show it off to a lot of people who might never know about it," explains Dan Butler, owner of Wilmington restaurants Deep Blue and Toscana and an organizer of the Grand Prix. "Our goal is to present the kind of cycling event that's helped spark revitalization in scores of other communities like Manayunk and West Chester."

Some 200 racers will compete for more than $25,000 in prize money. The course is a .9-mile rectangle in the heart of the city, encompassing Market, 11th Street, King Street, and Fifth Street.

"This race will be a little different from the professional races that have been through Wilmington in the past," Butler says. "We've designed a course that's really fun to watch but also allows the spectator to explore and enjoy the city and all the activities of the street festival as well."

The Wilmington Grand Prix will open with a kick-off block party on Friday, May 16 (5-9pm) that will take place simultaneously with the Time Trial Races. The competitive racing, corporate relays, and family bike parade will run from noon. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. An awards ceremony follows the men's professional race.

"While the Tour DuPont left a void in elite professional racing, it had a lasting effect on the growth of the sport in the Mid-Atlantic area," says Randy Inglis, president of the Mid-Atlantic Bicycle Racing Association and race director for the Grand Prix. "I'm thrilled to see a top level event back where it belongs, in the great city of Wilmington."

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