May 31, 2012 (Barrie, ON) – Building upon the momentum and excitement generated from the 3,500 cyclists who participated in Subaru Centurion Canada (The Blue Mountains) last September, Centurion Cycling has added a mid-July event at Horseshoe Resort to its 2012 series calendar.

Subaru Centurion Ontario (Horseshoe Valley), presented by Cervelo, will take place July 14-15. The event weekend begins on Saturday morning with the Centurion 25K ride. On Saturday afternoon, the spotlight will shine on area elite riders who will showcase their skills and test their stamina in a high intensity hill climb criterium titled Hell in the Horseshoe. Tough to race yet exhilarating to watch, this spectator-friendly event will be broadcast on television later this fall.

Sunday morning brings the Centurion 50K and Centurion 100K.  Each event begins with a coordinated start employing pace corrals so racers can position themselves up front to get out and go, while those who prefer to rider can start further back. Both courses are designed to take advantage of Horseshoe Valley’s series of horseshoe-shaped hills as well as the amazingly quiet country roads tailor-made for cycling.

“What Centurion Cycling is about is having the Tour de France-type experience and also sharing a lot of laughs with your friends,” said CEO Graham Fraser, who is widely regarded as one of the best in the business of organizing endurance sporting events. Over that last 25 years, Fraser and his group started the Subaru Triathlon Series, built Subaru Ironman Canada and pioneered the growth of Ironman races throughout North America.  Now, Fraser’s focus is on developing a special brand of high quality cycling events.

Akin to the look and feel of a big city marathon, Centurion Cycling is about creating a cycling event environment whereby participants can compete against each other and also vie for a personal best, or simply ride to accomplish a feat they never thought they could. Cycling clubs and teams can race or just ride for fun and while doing so, raise money for charity. No matter whether the plan is to race or ride, everyone gets the pro treatment.

After two increasingly successful years at Centurion Canada, Fraser’s event standard seems to be creating quite a sensation among cyclists across Ontario. All Centurion Cycling events feature:

– Traffic control giving cyclists the right-of-way and traffic privileges throughout
– Coordinated start with pace corrals so cyclists can position themselves accordingly
– Scenic and challenging courses professionally designed on roads made for cycling
– Chip timing from start to finish
– Full technical and medical support on the course and at the venue
– Feed zones along the course stocked with fluids and nutrition, and staffed by volunteers ready to provide moral support
– Finish line festival complete with music playing, spectators cheering and an announcer calling out the name of each cyclist crossing the finish line
– Full expo introducing participants to the latest in bikes and cycling gear

Having recently moved back to the area, Fraser is eager to introduce others to the superior quality of cycling found in his backyard. “It’s one of those hidden gems of cycling,” Fraser said, adding, “When you come to this area and ride, you won’t have to go anywhere else, it’s that good.”

In addition, Centurion Ontario will serve as a platform for eight organizations that will field teams and use the event to raise funds for their efforts.  The Charity Partners are:

– Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre
– Canadian Diabetes Association
– Gilda’s Club Simcoe Muskoka
– Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario
– Right To Play
– Tei Wa Syana
– Children of Bukati
– CIBC United Way

For more information about Centurion Ontario, including course maps and profiles, please visit HERE.