June 2, 2006 – For the second year in a row, the International Cycling Union (ICU) has chosen the Crabtree BMX Club to host an International race on July 8 2006.

Notwithstanding the dreadful weather at last year’s event, it was a great success and the international commissar presents, highly praised the race and its organizers and the title of «Event of the year» awarded by both the Quebec Cycling Federation and the Canadian Cycling Association were most likely an important asset in this year’s decision.

The Lanaudière event will be part of the ten official races on the calendar of the UCI in North America with Las Vegas (NV) Colombus (OH) Pittsburgh (PA) Palm Beach (FL) and Prunedale (CA). The importance of the event this year will definitely have a very large impact on the local economy and will also provide unprecedented visibility for the Lanaudière region.

The Crabtree BMX Club has been a leader for many years now and its success is due to the unrelenting work of the Organizing Committee, the dedication of all the volunteers and the unconditional support of all our partners (corporations, cities and politicians). The involvement of all those who believed in this event has made it possible for the Crabtree BMX Club to fulfill all the obligations and restrictions of the Provincial, National and International Federations. This year’s International event, the fourth in the history of the sport in Canada and the second in Crabtree, permits us to move forward and to reach our ultimate goal: to host a pre-Olympic qualification race in 2007.

This summer, the event will be impressive because of the high level of skills of the athletes participating in the competition. This type of International event is open to men and women athletes qualified in the Junior and Elite categories. In 2005, the world champion from Australia, Warwick Stevenson, the American women’s champion Samantha Cools, and the World Cup champion, Robert Dewilde from Holland were all in Crabtree.

Fallowing the UCI event, the Canadian Cycling Association has mandated the Crabtree Club to hold a national competition. On July 9th, all amateur athletes (no age limit) will be able to compete against the best Canadian BMX cyclists and try to secure a position on the national team.

In the coming weeks, the Crabtree BMX Club will be looking for partners in order to complete the development of the national race track and ensure that all is in place to guarantee the success of this important International event and we must make major improvements to the site if we want to maintain our world-quality status. Scott Papers, the city of Crabtree, the Château Joliette Hotel, MNA’s Pierre Paquette and Jonathan Valois, Technicomm/Telus and Structure Lanaudière have already committed to be part of our Principal Sponsors

The sale of advertising panels around the race track his already under way and for those interested in using this advertising tool, the Coroplast panels of 3 x 4 ft and the 4 x 8 ft are available for $250 et $500.

The organizing committee will soon start the countdown to day one with a press conference open to the public at large that will take place in the context of the Casino Night on June 9 at the Château Joliette Hotel. This event will be a fundraiser and a promotional evening. Tickets are available at $25 individually and corporations can also make reservations for exclusive use of certain gaming tables.

For the first time this year, members of the Club and some participating sponsors will be selling a commemorative bracelet representing a bike tire for $5. This bracelet will give the bearer illimited access to all activities on site during the International competition week-end. Benefits will not only cover the costs of production of the event but will also give access to the site during the summer of 2006.

Join the team of volunteers that are already working non-stop to make sure this fabulous project is a success. For additional information or to join the ranks of the volunteers, do not hesitate to contact a member of our committee at the following numbers or on our web site.

1-514-933-6377
Please visit our Internet Site www.jaggerco.com Crabtree BMX Section