Pro Men Stage Tour Featuring $152,500 Race Purse

Arguably the most unique cycling race (or, technically, "races") at Tour of Elk Grove -- and also the one with the biggest total cash prize purse for an event of its kind in the world (a whopping $152,500) -- is the Men's Pro 3-day, 3-stage tour. Each stage is a different type of bike race. The Stage 1 "Time Trial" on Friday is a test of an individual's personal strength and speed. Individual riders race to best the other riders on a 4.5 mile circular course. One rider starts then, 60 seconds later, another starts. It's very straightforward. And the rider with the fastest individual time is the top winner of this stage. The Stage 2 "Road Race" on Saturday is much more group-competitive. Teams comprised of 6-8 riders race against the other competing teams at one time. Skill, riding agility and team spirit are critical. The length of the Road Race is a total of 95 miles. In actuality, it's 10 laps around a 9.5 mile course route through Elk Grove Village. Stage 3 is the "Criterium" on Sunday. A "crit" is the most popular type of competitive cycling in the U.S. It's a race held in a closed-circuit loop of approximately 1.1 miles. Like the Road Race, riders in this final stage also compete as members of a team. And because it's a short loop, agility and the ability to make sharp curves around the course route are critical riding skills. The Elk Grove Stage 3 Criterium length is 110K (approximately 68 miles) and, given the 1.2 mile loop length, is approximately 61 laps around that loop. Prize money is awarded to the top riders in each of the three stages. And the rider who cumulatively does the best in all three stages (both as an individual and as a team member) is crowned the overall Tour of Elk Grove Men's Pro champion. That rider receives the biggest single individual Tour of Elk Grove prize: $25,000!

Friday, July 31, 2009 Subject to Change TIME EVENT DISTANCE PRIZE PLACES ENTRY FEE FIELD LIMIT 5:30 PM MTI Construction Pro Men (Stage 1) Time-Trial 4.5 miles $13,500.00 20 $175.00 200 Saturday, August 1, 2009 Subject to Change TIME EVENT DISTANCE PRIZE ENTRY PLACES ENTRY FEE FIELD LIMIT 3:30 PM Chicago Blackhawks Men's Pro Stage 2* (Road Stage) 150K $40,000.00 25 3 Stage Fee 200 Sunday, August 2, 2009 Subject to Change TIME EVENT DISTANCE PRIZE PLACES ENTRY FEE FIELD LIMIT 2:45 PM Gullo International Pro Men Criterium (Stage 3) 110K $35,000.00 25 3 Stage Fee 200 Pro Men Overall Prize Money $59,000.00 25 Pro Men Team Awards $5,000.00 3

The Alexian Brothers Pro Men Stage Tour race is a team and individual racers. The event is open to the following Professional categories: Pro Tour, Professional Continental, and Continental athletes. To be eligible and on a team you must have a minimum of 3 riders with a maximum of 8 riders per team. Individuals are welcome to participate as we are encouraging an equal opportunity for everyone. A fee of $175 per rider will include all three stages.

Team Managers must complete and submit the Team Enrollment Form. Please note on the form there will be slots for alternative riders. The completed team enrollment form with corresponding Standard Release Form should be mailed to: