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Greetings!
The hits just keep on comin' in August! It's hard to believe that we're in the last months of road racing for 2013, but what a finish we have in store for you.
We've got classic Colorado events like the Lookout Hill Climb, the Mike Nields Bannock Criterium, Racing for Hope, the new Littleton Criterium, the Best on Hess TT, the State RR Champs for Seniors and Juniors, the Bear Creek Lake TT Series, and you'd be crazy to miss the beautiful and fantastic Steamboat Springs Stage Race at the end of the month.
In August we also have the Big Race - the biggest, best bicycle race in the whole country - the USA Pro Challenge - which will treat world-class racers to a great route through Colorado. Check out their site for all the details, and don't forget the brand new Fort Follies Women's Grand Prix in conjunction with the Pro Challenge stage in Fort Collins. We wholeheartedly support this effort to connect the Big Race with other racing cyclists, and are excited to see the reception given to women racers on this very visible stage. If you're at the Pro Challenge, look for our local all-star officials Lynn Taylor, Tim Madden and Andy McChord, who are officiating again in 2013.
Many racers in Colorado are looking forward to the 2013 cyclo-cross racing season. Cross this year runs from the Kick-It Cross Festival and Time Trial on September 7 to the final day of the USA Cycling National Championships in Boulder on January 12, 2014. That's four freakishly awesome months of cross - complete with cowbells, costumes, tailgate parties, Pre-J events, and insanely rad racing. A huge thanks to all our event directors who have been working for months to make our cross racing a reality.
Please note: the opening weekend of cyclo-cross in Colorado features three events: the Kick-It Cross Festival and TT, the Women's Cross Camp, and Cross of the North. All events will be at the same venue: the old USGP course in Fort Collins.
Watch the website for complete info on all BRAC programs, including Cross Camps for women and juniors, the 2013 Cross Cup, cross call-ups, Pre-J events for kids 6, 7 and 8, Cup awards parties, the 2013 Women's Summit, and more. We stay busy to keep your racing as awesome as humanly possible. Enjoy!
Chris
execdir@coloradocycling.org
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Introducing Nationwide Insurance
The Presenting Sponsor of the
2013 Colorado Cross Cup!
We are incredibly proud to announce that Nationwide Insurance is the new Presenting Sponsor of the 2013 Colorado Cross Cup. This sponsorship was made possible by Garrett White, a former professional road racer who now rides with Primal Racing, and is a manager and one of the leading agents at Nationwide. "We are very excited to support local athletes and to be part of the burgeoning Colorado cyclo-cross racing community," said Garrett.
Our events and athletes will see an immediate impact from this sponsorship, with course tape, course fencing, and, for the first time, cash prizes for the Senior Men Open and Senior Women Open for the overall Colorado Cross Cup competition. We are proud to announce that the 2013 Colorado Cross Cup will feature EQUAL PRIZE MONEY for our men and women (1st -$500, 2nd - $300, 3rd - $200). This sponsorship allows us to support our event directors, our athletes, and our younger Pre-J (age 6, 7 & 8) riders. "This is truly a great situation for Colorado racing," said BRAC Board President Clint Bickmore. "This sponsorship goes directly into elevating our Cross Cup and Colorado cross racing yet another level. Thank you Garrett and Nationwide for being part of the 2013 Colorado Cross Cup!"
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Opening Weekend of 2013 Cross Season
Three Events!
September 7 & 8 in Fort Collins
 Cross Racing by Mountain Moon Photography.
We are very fortunate to work with great clubs and individuals who can work together to create great things. One such great thing is the opening weekend of the 2013 Cross Season. This weekend will feature three events at the same venue - the old USGP course in Fort Collins.
Kick-It Cross Festival & Time Trial - Sat morning
BRAC Women's Cross Camp - Sat afternoon
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What is the Kick-It Cross Festival & Time Trial?
The Kick-It Cross Festival & Time Trial is a celebration of the Colorado Cyclo-cross Community. The Time Trial consists of a cyclo-cross time trial to determine call-up positions for one race: the first cross race on the 2013 Cross calendar, which is Cross of the North on September 8. The Kick-It Time Trial will take approximately 16 minutes for the fastest racers to complete. See you there for fun racing, prize drawings, and the chance to put your cross bike onto a sweet race course for the first BRAC cross event in 2013!
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New Category: Senior Women 3 in Cross!
 SW4 Crossers in 2012. That's a lot of cycling ladies!
For the first time ever, we are adding Senior Women 3 to the 2013 Colorado Cross Cup points competition and race day schedule. SW 4 has grown substantially in the last 18 months, which is fantastic, and we need to move our faster ladies up to the 3s to provide both continued development for these athletes, and an appropriate racing environment for beginners.
As you know, our cross racing days are already jam-packed, and we are not creating more categories for our race day. We are eliminating the SW 35+ in cyclo-cross to make room for the new SW 3. All SW 35+ athletes who hold a category 1, 2 or 3 license were sent an email outlining this change earlier this week.
Any decision to change our racing categories is not taken lightly. This decision was based on feedback from the 2012 BRAC Women's Summit, race participation rates from 2012 and 2013, the new USAC guidelines for mandatory cyclo-cross upgrading, and input from women racers.
We are confident that ALL our women athletes can find a positive racing experience in this new category alignment, and for those who have big goals in January, effectively hone their skills in the senior categories in preparation for the 2014 Cyclo-Cross Nationals at Valmont.
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BRAC Membership Benefits
Many companies, both local and international, support our organization and our members with great discounts, and many provide cash returns for our Development Programs. Check out this link for 50% off cycling skin care products from BALM Co, 40% off the entire selection of Rudy Project, world-class bike fit from Retul and the Denver Fit Loft, and many others. Please see our Member Businesses & Benefits page for a complete list of companies and individuals who support our organization. Thanks all who contribute to our cycling community!
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1st Ever BRAC Women's Cyclo-cross Camp
Following up on the smashing success of our first-ever Women's Racing Camp in May, we are proud to host the first ever BRAC Women's Cross Camp on September 7, 2013 in Fort Collins. Olympian and super-awesome Head Coach Ann Trombley will be joined by Margell Abel and the Tough Girls Cycling Club. These great coaches will share their skills and love of the sport with our campers. Our goal is that campers will leave the Camp with the skills and confidence to really enjoy the cross experience. This event will be fun, supportive and definitely awesome, and will be complete with an after-camp gathering with snacks and drinks.
This event is pre-registration only and capped at 50 participants, so sign up now at www.madsync.com.
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Colorado Track Racing Update
 High on the velodrome. Photo by Pat McDonough.
It's been a beautiful year of racing the track in Colorado. Pat McDonough has done a tremendous job in balancing the needs of our racers with the new management at the CS Velodrome, and we have a great plan in place for Boulder Valley when it becomes operational. Watch for thrilling Friday night racing events at the CS track over the next month, and in September we welcome the nation's best collegiate racers at the 2013 Collegiate Track National Championships.
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Cycling and Racing Community Profile
ColoBikeLaw's Brad Tucker
Brad Tucker. Photo Courtesy of Colo Bike Law.
Brad Tucker, well known for both his support of bike racing and his bike law practice, continues to make advances for Colorado cyclists. He has worked closely with Bicycle Colorado for over a decade, making legislative strides that include the three feet to pass law and closing the hit and run loophole. He devotes much of his practice to bike law and making the roads safer for all cyclists. In addition to sponsoring a cycling team, he gives back countless hours to numerous bike organizations. His passion for the sport has no boundaries.
Brad sat down with BRAC correspondent Maggie M to talk about bikes and being a cycling advocate. For the complete interview with this incredible leader in the Colorado cycling community, please see this link.
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Welcome New Sponsor!
CTB Racing - Guanella Pass Hill Climb
 Leaving Georgetown the hard way. Photo by Dejan Smaic sportifimages.com
CTB Racing, the club that brings us the Guanella Pass Hill Climb, has joined BRAC as a sponsor of our Junior Development Program. This sponsorship will help offset the costs of the 2013 Junior Cross Camp.
A HUGE thank you to Scott Bilyeu and his crew for making such an amazing contribution to Colorado cycling!
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Boulder's Mara Abbott Just Won the Giro Rosa
The Premier Women's Bicycle Race in the World
 A happy Mara Abott. Photo by Velonews.
A huge congratulations to Boulder's Mara Abbott for bringing home the top spot in the 2013 Giro Rosa. This race is the Women's Giro d'Italia, and the world's premier stage race for women. Mara was ably supported by her USA National Teammates in this effort. Mara races in BRAC events to maintain and build fitness, including the Sunshine Hill Climb in June. Congrats on this great win!!
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BRAC has Joined USA Cycling's Race Clean Program
As part of our commitment to providing a safe, fun, and healthy racing environment for our athletes, in 2012 BRAC budgeted $5,000 to bring USADA services to local events for education and testing of performance enhancing drugs. In 2013, USA Cycling created the Race Clean Program, which provides both a partnership with USADA and substantial funding to support Local Associations (such as BRAC) in our efforts to create clean sport. "We are proud to be part of larger movement to bring education and testing to local events, and protect the health and efforts of our members," said Chris McGee, BRAC Executive Director. *** BRAC on Twitter  We have re-launched the BRAC twitter feed, and it is live! Please see @BRAC_ACA to follow us. *** State Championship Update 
The 2013 Colorado State Road Race Championship for Seniors and Juniors will be at the Rock the River Road Race on August 18, 2013. Please see this link for additional info. The flyer is posted on our website. Thank you for your patience as we ironed out issues with permits, municipalities, construction, and other unsavory changes. *** Junior Info  2012 BRAC Junior Cross Camp. Photo by BRAC.
The 2013 Junior Cross Camp will be held on September 27, 28 & 29 at the Easter Seals Camp in Empire. Campers will be treated to fun, interactive learning sessions that are both on- and off- the bike, and include nutrition, bike maintenance, dismounts, remounts, cornering, shifting, braking, and balance work. The goal of our junior camps is to provide kids with the cycling skills and confidence to succeed in the sport, and to take these lessons into their daily lives. The Junior Cross Camp is pre-registration only on www.Madsync.com. For complete info on the Camp, please see the junior pages on our website. Donations of cycling clothing that is in good shape are now being accepted at BRAC HQ in Golden. We will distribute this clothing at the Junior Cross Camp. Give an extra life to your old kits, and help a junior with their cycling clothing needs. Thanks in advance for your support! ***
Thanks for sharing this e-newsletter with your
friends and family. Enjoy a great day on your bike!
A HUGE Thank You to Amanda Cyr and Maggie Meisinger, who have been instrumental in the creation of this issue of the Colorado Racing News. | 
