Media Releases
For additional media information, contact Alan Christanell at achristanell@att.net or 314-302-3845.
See the Online Press Room Page for Media Information.
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 2nd 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 3rd 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 2nd 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.tourdewinghaven.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.tourdewinghaven.com for more information.
Volunteers are also needed for the race. Interested people should check the Volunteer page of www.tourdewinghaven.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.tourdewinghaven.com for more information.
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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.tourdewinghaven.com.
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 8th in 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.tourdewinghaven.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.tourdewinghaven.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.tourdewinghaven.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.tourdewinghaven.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.tourdewinghaven.com.
END
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.tourdewinghaven.com.
