September 21, 2005 – The 2nd annual Women’s Prestige Cycling Series will wrap up this weekend with its fourth event: the CD&P Bermuda Grand Prix. The Series began at the Redland Bicycle Classic in March before visiting the Nature Valley Grand Prix in June and the International Tour de “˜Toona in July. Bermuda is the “brass ring” of this year-long series, with the top Series teams receiving generous travel grants to visit one of the world’s most popular vacation destinations.

Despite the idyllic surrounding, the racing is expected to be intense. Lauren Franges (Victory Brewing) will be back to defend her 2004 race title. Franges and her team will have their work cut out for them, with challenges coming from the other Series teams in attendance: Webcor Builders, Quark, Ford — Basis, Colavita / Cooking Light, Lipton, Diet Cheerwine, Velo Girls, Velo Bella and Subway.

Franges’ top challenger may be Karen Brems of the Series-leading Webcor Builders team. Brems, the 1994 World Time Trial Champion, won the first stage of the CD&P Bermuda Grand Prix in 2004. She has also won five-stages of the fabled International Women’s Challenge stage race.

Lyne Bessette, riding for RMS/FitTech, will also be a rider to watch at this year’s race. Bessette, who has devoted much of this year to the mountain bike racing, was the Series winner in 2004 and is always a threat in a stage race.