December 17, 2004 – The Sea Otter Classic is the most celebrated cycling festival in North America. Known throughout the cycling world as the grand season opener, the 15th annual Sea Otter Classic will be held April 14-17, 2005 at the Laguna Seca Recreation Area, Monterey, California. Part racing, part trade show, part festival and all fun, the Sea Otter Classic is, according to 2003 National Champion Marla Streb, “the best event of the year!”

Nearly 10,000 professional and amateur athletes and over 50,000 spectators will attend the four-day festival. The outdoor cycling trade show will host over 250 vendors showcasing the latest in cycling and recreational equipment and technology. Over 200 international media representatives will report on the competitive action and technical innovations. Over 500 international pro athletes and 9,000 amateur athletes will compete in road racing, mountain biking, and gravity racing. Sea Otter Classic racing events are sanctioned by the International Cycling Union (UCI) and USA Cycling. They are listed on the UCI American Tour calendar, the USCF National Racing Calendar, and the UCI International Mountain Bike Calendar. Amateur racers can qualify for USA Cycling’s Mountain Bike National Championships and participate in the NCNCA Best All-Around Road Rider Series (BAR).

The 2005 Sea Otter Classic kicks-off on Thursday, April 14 with the 50-mile Mountain Bike Epic Ride. Held on the vast, challenging trail system of the Fort Ord Bureau of Land Management property, the Epic promises to be a significant addition to nearly 20 road and mountain bike events hosted by the Sea Otter Classic.

Other competitive mountain bike events include downhill, dual slalom, mountain cross, short track, and cross country. Road cyclists can compete in a road race and a circuit race. Non-competitive events include a Road Tour (75-mile and 100-mile options) and a Mountain Bike Tour (10-mile and 20-mile options).

Visit www.seaotterclassic.com today to register for an event or reserve a room or campsite.

– Who: Cyclists in all age groups; wide range of professional and amateur categories
– What: Sea Otter Classic
– Where: Laguna Seca Recreation Area, Monterey, California, USA
– When: April 14-17, 2005
– Individual Event Entry Fees: Range from $25 – $85
– Individual Spectator Fees: $10 per day or $30 for a four-day pass; free admission for children ages 12 and under
– Information: www.seaotterclassic.com or (650) 364-7612
Media contact: Paul Skilbeck (415) 346-8422 <media@seaotterclassic.com>