Media Releases

PR and Media Contact- Jennifer Beidle, Jennifer@beidlepr.com Contact 314/607-9459

For additional media information, contact Event Director, Mike Weiss at mike@bigshark.com or 314-920-9606.

See the Online Press Room page for Media Information.

Please check here for exciting news and updates on the Tour de Grove.

Press Release #1, April 2013

Announcing the 2013 Missouri Professional Cycling Series

Press Release #1, April 2012

Announcing the Missouri Professional Cycling Series- MO PRO

Press Release #6 April 25, 2011

National and International Professional Cycling return to Missouri with the Tour de Grove.

Press Release #5, January 26th, 2011

USA CRITS Championship Series Announces the 2011 Schedule

Press Release #4, June 14th 2010

Kelly Benefits Strategy team controls the Tour de Grove

ST. LOUIS, Missouri (June 13, 2010) – The NRC level Tour de Grove professional bicycle race was initially controlled by the high heat and humidity which took its toll on the 46 professional and top amateur racers who started the race. However, after nearly 20 miles into the 79 mile race on closed roads in The Grove neighborhood of St. Louis, the field was controlled by two of the top cycling teams in the United States, Kelly Benefits Strategies and Jelly Belly presented by Kenda. Scott Zwizanski, from Mill Valley, California and David Veilleux of Montreal, Quebec, both on the Kelly Benefits team pulled away from the field, which was being led in its chase by the Jelly Belly team. Zwizanski and Veilleux held a gap of about thirty seconds for several laps, gradually increasing their lead to nearly fifty seconds. With about eight laps remaining in the race, or 24 miles, heavy rain and winds moved into the area. The pair held onto their lead as the chase pack, first decimated by the heat and fast race pace, struggled in the rainy and windy conditions. Ultimately the high winds and nearby lightning caused race officials to shorten the race by about four laps. In the end, Zwizanski and Veilleux crossed the line together with Zwizanski’s front wheel just crossing the line first as had been agreed to by the two teammates as they approached the finish. Twenty seconds later, the chasing field was led home in a sprint by Mike Sherer of the Verizon U23 presented by ABD team. By the end of the day over half of the starting field failed to finish due to the oppressive heat and humidity and difficult race speeds.

In the Women’s Professional NRC Race- Laura Van Gilder (Mellow Mushroom) soloed away with a mid-race attach- and was able to hold off the hard charging duo of Carrie Cash, Team Vera Bradley Foundation (and Midtown Rally Grand Prix winner), and Nicole Wamsgard. Carrie Cash, winner of the previous evenings street sprint competition, was able to beat Nicole to the line for her first ever NRC podium finish.

Alan Christanell

Tour de Grove

Public Relations/Media

Press Release #3, For Immediate Release, June 4th, 2010

PRESS RELEASE

FROM TOUR OF CALIFORNIA TO ST. LOUIS AND THE TOUR DE GROVE

Elite Professional Teams Kelly Benefits Strategies and Jelly Belly presented by Kenda Announce International Caliber Racers for Tour de Grove. Tour de Winghaven champion Andrew Bajadali to defend his title.

ST. LOUIS, MO (June 4, 2010) – Having just competed in the Tour of California two weeks ago, the Kelly Benefits Strategies and Jelly Belly presented by Kenda pro cycling teams will bring elite, international caliber riders to compete in the USA Cycling NRC Tour de Grove professional bike race on June 13. Prior to competing in California, each team has also competed overseas in the Tour of Thailand and Tour of Korea as well as a full slate of domestic NRC races.

Headlining the Kelly Benefits Strategies team will be Andrew Bajadali, champion of last year’s NRC Tour de WingHaven. Following upon his success in St. Louis last year, Bajadali placed second in the US Professional Road Race Championship to winner George Hincapie. The Kelly Benefits Strategies team will include seven members who competed in this year’s Tour of California as well as others who competed in the Tour of Missouri last year. Ryan Anderson was a holder of the King of the Mountains jersey for a time during the Tour of California and Scott Zwizanski finished 26^th overall, one of the top non-ProTour level riders. Alex Candelario had three top ten finishes in last year’s Tour of Missouri.

The Jelly Belly presented by Kenda team currently sits fifth in the overall NRC team standings. Their team will feature former ProTour racer with Garmin-Slipstream Mike Friedman who has competed in cycling classics Paris Roubaix and Tour of Flanders. Friedman recently won the 2010 edition of the Tour of Korea. He will be joined in St. Louis by 2010 Tour of Thailand winner Kiel Reinjnen. In Thailand, Jelly Belly p/b Kenda also captured the overall team title. Springfield, Missouri resident Brad Huff will also compete in the Tour de Grove for Jelly Belly. All of the Jelly Belly p/b Kenda riders at the Tour de Grove competed in the Tour of California.

The NRC Tour de Grove race on June 13 will highlight a full weekend of bike racing in St. Louis on June 12-13. Both amateur and professional racers will compete on June 12 at the Midtown Rally Grand Prix criterium race near Grand Center in the Mid Town neighborhood of St. Louis. Manchester Avenue through The Grove neighborhood will host street sprints later in the evening on June 12. On June 13 The Grove neighborhood will be the setting for the Tour de Grove circuit race. Racers will compte on a closed to traffic three mile loop for multiple laps depending on race classification. Professional women will race 14 laps for a total of 40 miles starting at 1:00 p.m. Professional men will complete 28 laps for 79 miles starting at 3:00 p.m. Compete details for all events over the weekend, including the ARTCRANK Poster Show, 5k run, expo and street festival, and kids races can be found at www.tourdegrove.com.

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About the USA Cycling National Racing Calendar

Recognized by the United States Olympic Committee and the Union Cycliste Internationale, USA Cycling is the official governing body for all disciplines of competitive cycling in the United States, including road, track, mountain bike, BMX, and cyclo-cross. Currently in its 14th season, the National Racing Calendar (NRC) is the premier season-long domestic road cycling series sanctioned and owned by USA Cycling. With an overall ranking system that determines the best individual male and female cyclists, as well as the best teams in the U.S., the NRC features the nation’s top Pro-Am events and boasts a total prize purse of nearly one million dollars. The 25-race calendar is open to both professional and amateur cyclists. For more information on the NRC, visit www.usacycling.org/nrc.

Press Release #2, For Immediate Release, May 25th, 2010

CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR RACE WEEKEND:

NRC Tour de Grove Professional Cycling Race

VIP TICKETS NOW ON SALE

St. Louis (May 10th, 2010) – Elite professional cyclists from across the United States will travel to St. Louis on Sunday, June 13th, 2010 for the National Racing Calendar Tour de Grove – Missouri’s biggest single day race. This year’s event will mark the 1st running of the only NRC USA Cycling sanctioned professional men’s and women’s race our region. In addition to the NRC Tour de Grove Circuit Race, the event’s companion race, the Midtown Rally Grand Prix, will initiate a new racing venue and will also feature the county’s top men’s and women’s teams. A full weekend of activities surrounds these national-class races, with fun for the whole family.

National Racing Calendar (NRC) Tour de Grove – Race Weekend Schedule:

Saturday, June 12, 2010: The Midtown Rally Grand Prix ,10am – 5pm
The weekend begins with the $5000 cash purse Midtown Rally Grand Prix. Fan friendly races will be held for all amateur categories, kid’s races at 2:45 am for children ages Big Wheel to 12 and professional men’s and women’s events beginning at 3:00 pm. Neighborhood events and a race day Expo will add to the festive atmosphere. Details on www.tourdegrove.com

Saturday Night, June 12, 2010: Tour de Grove Street Sprints/Drag Races. 7pm – 11 pm

Beginning at dusk, we will light up Manchester with a 200 meter sprint competition. Between 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm you will find the fastest finishers with a series of round robin, elimination heats for 100 of the quickest men and women on wheels. Beginning at 10:00 pm we will turn up the volume and showcase the pageantry and showmanship of the fastest Drag show on the planet- the Tour de Grove Drag Race.

Saturday Night, June 12, 2010: ARTCRANK Poster Show, 7pm – Midnight

Also, from 7:00 to Midnight, the nationally acclaimed ARTCRANK Poster Show will be adorning the walls of the Atomic Cowboy, 4140 Manchester Ave, in the heart of The Grove. ARTCRANK is a showcase of bicycle-inspired original poster artwork that people can enjoy looking at and afford to take home. Every show features posters created by local artists from the host city. Admission is always free, and posters are priced to let everybody take home at least one. ARTCRANK began in Minneapolis in 2007, and has expanded to Denver, Des Moines Portland, San Francisco and St. Louis.

Sunday Morning, June 13th, 2010: The Tour de Grove 5K, 7:30 am

Starting at 7:30 am Sunday morning, athletes will be able to race on foot the Tour de Grove race course. $1700 will be up for grabs to the fastest athletes in the men’s and women’s fields.

All racers will be chip timed and have the opportunity to test themselves on a unique and windy course. Race entry is $30.

Sunday, June 13^th: The Tour de Grove Expo and Street Festival, 8 am- 6 pm

Check out everything you need to know about cycling AND entertainment on site at the Tour de Grove. Ride your bike down after the St. Louis City Open Streets event or the Trailnet City Bicycle Tour and take advantage of our onsite Bicycle Valet Parking. Feature exhibitors will include the St. Louis Science Center, Verizon Wireless and Official Merchandise along with a line-up of cycling advocacy groups and cycling-related entertainment, such as BMX Stunt Shows and an outdoor music stage.

THE MAIN EVENT Sunday, June 13th, 2010: The NRC Tour de Grove

VIP tickets available

Catch all the pageantry and race action of Missouri’s biggest national cycling classic from The Tour de Grove VIP Tent, the limited access, fully catered VIP tents, curbside and right at the start/finish line. The county’s elite pro men’s and women’s cyclists will attack the 2.8-mile circuit from the Manchester Ave across I-64 and back for the inaugural running of this event. Visit www.tourdegrove.com for more information, and to purchase VIP tickets for access The Tour de Grove VIP from 7:00 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sunday, June 13th, 2010: Amateur Racing from 8 am – Noon

Open to all categories of USAC licensed riders $2500 in prize money will be on the line. Go to www.tourdegrove.com for details. Check out the tomorrows stars today and cheer on local talent as the lay it down on the same course the Pro’s will use later in the day.

Sunday, June 13th, 2010: Kids Races at 12:40 pm

Five different age groups will race across the same finish line as the pros. Categories: Big Wheel, 3/4, 5/6, 7/8, 9/10 and 11/12. Cost is $5. All racers will receive an official Tour de Grove Kids Race T-Shirt, Race Number, Ribbon AND fabulous goodies from the St. Louis City Museum, the St. Louis Science Center and Jelly Belly. Top 3 in each age group will receive Tour de Grove Build-a-Bears! Donations to this event will benefit Herbert Hoover Boys and Girls Club.

Sunday, June 13th, 2010: Pro Women at 1:00 pm, Pro Men at 3:00 pm

Cost: Free to the Family. The fastest men and women in the US will compete for a combined purse of $22,500. With eleven turns and a very technical finishing stretch, be sure to pick your spot and line the course. Fans are invited to cheer on the local elite racers as they take on America’s top professionals.

Volunteer Now

Want to be part of the action? Sign up now to be a Tour de Grove bike race volunteer. Hundreds of volunteers are needed for race day in the following areas: course marshals, stage crew, and hospitality. Visit www.tourdegrove.com for more information.

For further information on the Tour de Grove race weekend, visit www.tourdegrove.com.

Press Release #1, For Immediate Release, March 23^th, 2010

Sunday June 13^th, 2010, The Grove neighborhood in the City of St. Louis will host the inaugural Tour de Grove, a USA Cycling National Racing Calendar (NRC) professional cycling race. The NRC series represents the most prestigious professional cycling races in the United States and attracts the top professional cyclists and teams to compete from across the country. As one of only 27 NRC races this year, the Tour de Grove will be the highest profile single day cycling event in the Midwest. The event will feature for the first time professional men’s and women’s races in addition to a full schedule of amateur racing on both Saturday June 12^th and Sunday June 13th. Building upon the success of four years of racing as the Tour of WingHaven, the Tour de Grove begins its fifth year as the most competitive race in the Midwest. Previous winners have come from the highest ranked professional cycling teams in the United States.

The NRC Tour de Grove circuit race will be held Sunday June 13. The course will be a 3 mile spectator friendly, winding circuit through the Grove neighborhood with a sprint finish along Manchester Avenue in the area’s restaurant and bar district. The professional men will compete 28 laps of this circuit for a 79 mile race. The professional women will complete 14 laps for a 40 mile race. The day will start with a series of amateur races divided amongst competitive ability along with a kid’s race all leading to the marquee races of the day. A community Expo area will be set up for local merchants and spectators. Saturday’s events will feature a Pro/Am criterium in the Midtown Rally Neighborhood and Street Sprints Saturday night in The Grove alongside a cycling poster show at the Atomic Cowboy restaurant and bar.

Professional bicycle racing along the closed streets of The Grove is an exhilarating spectator and family friendly event. The racers maneuver their bikes shoulder to shoulder through fast straightaways and technical corners at speeds approaching 40 mph. In addition to the race’s $25,000 purse, the professional men and women will compete for the King and Queen of the Grove titles based upon leading the most laps throughout the race. Riders and teams committing to compete in the Tour de Grove will be announced as the event draws near. All events are free for spectators. For more information, visit www.tourdegrove.com.

The Tour de Grove’s featured warm-up race on Saturday June 12^th, the Midtown Rally Grand Prix will be a professional/amateur criterium race held in the Grand Center area of St. Louis.

The Grove neighborhood is in the Mid City area and the Forest Park Southeast neighborhood of St. Louis. Five blocks of Manchester Avenue cut through the heart of The Grove between Kingshighway and Vandeventer. Highway 40 provides the border to the north. The Grove is the new-old neighborhood along Manchester for eating, drinking, living, partying, primping, and shopping. For more information visit www.inTheGroveSTL.com.

Contacts: Mike Weiss, mike@bigshark.com, Alan Christanell, christanellae@bv.com

Below are the press releases for the 2009 Tour de Winghaven, for those interested in the previous editions of this event at it’s former location.

Press Release #4

TEAM HOTEL SAN JOSE WITH 2005 US PRO CHAMPION CHRIS WHERRY ANNOUNCED ALONG WITH ELITE MIDWEST ATHLETES

Team Hotel San Jose, including 2005 US Professional Champion Chris Wherry joins the field for the Tour de WingHaven. Top Midwest regional athletes will also compete.

O’FALLON, MO (June 16, 2009) – Team Hotel San Jose has joined the list of registered teams for this year’s edition of the Tour de WingHaven on June 21 within the WingHaven community of O’Fallon, Missouri. Team Hotel San Jose will bring 2005 US professional champion Chris Wherry as well as the 2^nd place finisher in last year’s race Carlos Vargas to WingHaven. Team Hotel San Jose joins the other professional teams registered to date including UCI Continental teams Jelly Belly, Team Type 1, and Colavita – Sutter Home presented by Cooking Light.

Competing against these professional athletes from across the country will be many of the Midwest’s top racers. This list includes last year’s 3^rd place finisher Chad Cagle (Texas Tough), the 2006 champion Matt Ankney (Texas Tough), the 2008 Missouri Best All Around Rider Brian Jensen (TradeWind Energy / Trek Stores), and the recently crowned Missouri state road race champion Austin Allison (Dogfish Racing Team). 2007 USCF National Amateur Criterium Championship 2^nd place finisher Josh Carter (ABD Cycling Team) will also compete and the top three in the 2009 standing for the Missouri Best All Around Rider will compete, Justin Maciekowicz (Gateway Cycling / The Orthopedic Center), David Henderson (Columbia Bike Club Race Team), and Zach Reed (Dogfish Racing Team).

Locally, the Michelob Ultra / Big Shark Racing Team will field a team including veteran racer and 2-time NRC champion Scott Moninger, current US national track champion Colby Pearce, and St. Louis native and veteran professional Dan Schmatz.

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ABOUT THE TOUR DE WINGHAVEN

Started in 2006, the Tour de WingHaven has become the highest paying single day race in Missouri. The race was begun as a means of promoting WingHaven, a 1,200 acre community development that implements McEagle Properties’ LifeWorks philosophy. LifeWorks, gives residents the ability to Live, Learn, Work, Play, and Pray all within the community. The race now attracts hundreds of racers and spectators from throughout the Midwest. Primary sponsorship has been by McEagle Properties and significant support is provided by the City of O’Fallon. For sponsorship opportunities or other race information, contact Mike Weiss at mike@bigshark.com or Dan Brungard at dvb@brungardgroup.com. Visit the website at www.tourdegrove.com.

PRESS RELEASE #3

TEAMS REGISTERED, REGISTRATION CONTINUES, RACEDAY INFORMATION

Jelly Belly, Team Type 1, and Colavita-Sutter Home presented by Cooking Light to race. Registration continues for adult and kid races.

O’FALLON, MO (June 5, 2009) – Teams are registering for this year’s edition of the Tour de WingHaven on June 21 within the WingHaven community of O’Fallon, Missouri. Professional teams registered to date include UCI Continental teams Jelly Belly, Team Type 1, and Colavita – Sutter Home presented by Cooking Light.

Team Jelly Belly has been a long-standing member of the U.S. professional bicycle racing scene. Jelly Belly, maker of the Jelly Belly Jelly Beans and Sport Beans, is the longest running title sponsor in the U.S. pro peloton. This year, they are celebrating their 10th anniversary on the road. The team is led by Springfield, MO area native Brad Huff. Brad is coming off two wins in three races, and the overall victory, in last weekend’s Tulsa Tough NRC race in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Team Type 1 currently sits in 5th place in the NRC team standings. The team was founded in 2004 by two racers with Type 1 diabetes and now includes both a men’s and women’s professional race team. Team Type 1 strives to instill hope and inspiration for people around the world affected by diabetes. The team encourages control of diabetes through diet, exercise and the use of the best treatment and technology available today. The team competing at the Tour de WingHaven will feature two racers with Type 1 diabetes, Joe Eldridge and Fabio Calabria.

The Colavita – Sutter Home presented by Cooking Light currently sits in 2nd place in the NRC team standings. The riders Team Colavita brings to the Tour de WingHaven includes Luis Amaran and Kyle Wamsley, who both finished in the Top 10 of the overall NRC rankings last season.

Looking to Participate or Help?

Registration is open for all races as part of the Tour de WingHaven event, including amateur adult races at various competitive levels and kid’s races. Races start in the 8:00 a.m. and end with the feature NRC professional race at 2:00 p.m. The kid’s races start at 1:00 p.m. Please refer to www.tourdegrove.com for more information.

Volunteers are also needed for the race. Interested people should check the Volunteer page of www.tourdegrove.com.

Other Opportunities

The Tour de WingHaven website gives information about the race and race day information for residents of the WingHaven community along with spectators including parking information, road closures, and maps.

Sponsorship and Expo area opportunities are still available. Please refer to www.tourdegrove.com for more information.

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ABOUT THE TOUR DE WINGHAVEN

PRESS RELEASE #2

FRANKIE ANDREU TO ANNOUNCE.PARTICIPANT AND VOLUNTEER REGISTRATIONS ARE OPEN.

The Tour de WingHaven has secured former professional cyclist Frankie Andreu as its announcer.Kid’s Race, Racer, and Volunteer registrations are now open.

O’FALLON, MO (May 8, 2009) – This year’s edition of the Tour de WingHaven is drawing closer.As a National Calendar Racing (NRC) event, the June 21 race will attract the top U.S. professional cyclists and their teams to O’Fallon and the WingHaven community.

Frankie Andreu will be race day announcer.

Frankie Andreu is one of the most popular and well-respected names in American professional cycling. He retired from racing at the end of 2000 after a 12-year professional career and was the captain of the 1999 and 2000 winning Tour de France teams. During his racing career he competed in the Tour de France nine times. He was one of the team’s most selfless performers and most depended on workers.In addition, he competed in three Tours of Spain and one Giro d’ Italia.His racing experience not only encompassed Grand Tours but also included high placed finishes in World Cup events, World Championships, Spring Classics, as well as two Olympic Games: 1988 placing 8^thin Seoul, Korea and 1996 placing fourth in Atlanta.

Since retirement from the professional peloton Frankie has been team director for some of the most powerful American and international teams. He is also a gifted writer and his Tour de France commentaries have been published on many different websites. Frankie’s face can be seen on the cable channel Versus every July during coverage of the Tour de France.

Looking to help?

If you have an interest in assisting with this year’s race, volunteer registration is open.Course marshals are needed.Volunteers receive training, a t-shirt, drinks, snacks, and lunch or dinner.Check the Volunteer menu on www.tourdegrove.com.

Participants of all ages.

Kids are invited to participate in the Tour de WingHaven.The Kid’s Race is open for children ages 4 – 11 and age classes will be divided into four categories making for fair and fun competition.Pre-registration is suggested.The $5 fee includes a t-shirt, award ribbon, and goodie bag.Race day registration is available for $7 but does not guarantee prizes.Visit www.tourdegrove.com.

Registration for the adult races is also open.Entry level and licensed amateur races occur in the morning and the professional race starts at 2:00 p.m.Visit www.tourdegrove.com to register to test yourself on the same course used by the pros.

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ABOUT THE TOUR DE WINGHAVEN

Started in 2006, the Tour de WingHaven has become the highest paying single day race in Missouri.Begun as a means of promoting WingHaven, a 1,200 acre community development with homes, schools, employers, business and commercial development, and churches, the race now attract hundreds of racers and spectators from throughout the Midwest.Primary sponsorship has been by McEagle Properties and significant support is provided by the City of O’Fallon.For sponsorship opportunities or other race information, contact Mike Weiss at mike@bigshark.com or Dan Brungard at dvb@brungardgroup.com.Visit the website at www.tourdegrove.com.

PRESS RELEASE #1

TOUR DE WINGHAVEN BRINGS USA’S TOP PROFESSIONAL CYCLISTS TO O’FALLON, MISSOURI ON JUNE 21, 2009.

The Tour de WingHaven becomes a National Racing Calendar (NRC) event, USA Cycling’s most prestigious level professional bicycle racing series in the United States.

O’FALLON, MO (April 20, 2009) – This year the Tour de WingHaven joins the ranks of the National Racing Calendar (NRC) series as one of 34 officially sanctioned USA Cycling professional bike races.The NRC series represents the most prestigious national level professional bicycle races in the United States and attracts the top professional cyclists and their teams to compete.Over the past three years, since its inception, the Tour de WingHaven has gained a reputation as one of the top single day amateur racing events in the Midwest.Last year’s winner, Daniel Holloway, now races for the professional Garmin/Chipotle cycling team, one of the top international teams and a Tour de France participant.This year, the Tour de WingHaven moves up a notch by becoming a part of the NRC professional bicycle racing series and solidifies itself as a premier cycling event not only in the Midwest but also in the United States.

Along with the City of O’Fallon, Missouri and the community of WingHaven, McEagle Properties is proud to be the Presenting Sponsor of the Tour de WingHaven.Chris McKee, President of McEagle, is proud to bring the thrills and excitement of professional bicycling to WingHaven.”As the developer of the WingHaven community, McEagle is excited to have the opportunity to bring a top level, national caliber, professional sporting event to the community.This event will not only showcase our developing community along with promoting an active and healthy lifestyle, but will also provide a family friendly and free to the public European style event to WingHaven, the City of O’Fallon, and surrounding areas.What a great way to spend Father’s Day with your family!”

Being held on June 21, 2009, the Tour de WingHaven is an all day series of bicycle races culminating with the 84 mile professional race beginning at 2:00 p.m.Leading into the marquee race, a series of amateur races divided amongst competitive ability will begin at 8:00 a.m.There will also be a kid’s race as well as an expo area for local merchants.The course is a closed 3 mile loop through the streets of WingHaven and features hills, sweeping corners, and European-styled roundabouts.The racers will ride shoulder to shoulder at speeds exceeding 40 mph as they complete laps around the course.Riders and teams committing to race at the Tour de WingHaven will be announced as the event draws near.Registration is now open for adult and kid’s races.For more information visit www.tourdegrove.com.

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ABOUT THE TOUR DE WINGHAVEN