May 25, 2006 (Mesa, Ariz.) – The introduction of the new Solo Enduro division to the Race Across America has drawn a field of rare strength and depth to the world’s toughest sporting event (anointed by Outside magazine in 1992) with contenders coming from several different sports and from across the globe.

Early in the year riders in the Solo category were offered a choice between the Traditional division, where riders are permitted to take as many breaks as they want, and the new Enduro division, where there is an imposed 40 hours of mandatory rest/sleep stops taken at official, manned time stations spread across the country.

Race organizers introduced the new division to make the race more about on-bike speed, and less about resistance to sleep deprivation.

With an influx of new – and past – talent, race pundits have already begun placing bets on the category’s celebrity contenders in the up-tempo new division.

Built to run like a diesel engine, two-time RAAM winner, Jure Robic, has leveraged to great advantage his ability to ride with little sleep. He is the Ultra Marathon Cycling Association record holder in the 24-hour distance, with a mark of 521.9 miles. Nobody doubts his talent, and coming off two consecutive RAAM victories, Robic enters the 2006 race as the favorite. That said, unless Robic can pick up the pace this year, particularly in the punishing climbs of the Appalachians the Slovenian former national road cycling champion may have to be content with his two previous wins.

According to many surveyors of the Endurance division, the “pony to bet on” is Jonathan “Jock” Boyer. Boyer earned a place in cycling history by becoming the first U.S. cyclist to compete in the Tour de France, in which he has finished as high as 12th. He also has the distinction of being a past RAAM winner, from 1985. Back then Boyer’s win raised eyebrows due to its extreme efficiency and speed. Now at age 50 and still winning road cycling races against riders 20 years his junior, Boyer knows what it takes to win solo RAAM. That he has won tells us that he knows how to win. The question now is if he can win.

New to RAAM but a veteran to endurance racing, David “Tinker” Juarez seems to be the greatest mystery. Juarez possesses all the prowess of a mighty endurance racer yet his power-to-weight ratio could either help or hurt him. At 5’8″ and 140 lbs., Juarez may struggle to recover while off the bike. Yet if Juarez can remain in contact with the leaders across the plains of the Midwest, he will likely pose a serious threat in the reputedly harsh climbs of West Virginia and Pennsylvania.

A name nearly synonymous with ultra-endurance racing, Kenny Souza, narrowly beat Juarez in last year’s Furnace Creek 508, a punishing trek that passes through Death Valley. Souza claims to have been only partially prepared for that race, but enters RAAM in top condition. News of the new Enduro division prompted Souza to enter RAAM. An avid competitor, Souza can be counted on to stay with the pace of the fastest cyclists until somebody cracks.

After suffering from severe dehydration during the early days of the 2005 RAAM, Valentin Zeller recovered to claim fifth place. The winner of extreme European races such as the Glocknerman, and the Race Across the Alps, Zeller has the potential to improve on his 2005 RAAM result. At only 28 years old, Zeller has youth on his side and is the youngest Solo rider in the race. Having stated that winning RAAM is a personal goal for him, one gets the sense from this likable Austrian that it is only a matter of time before he reaches that goal.

While debate on the race blogs rages over which precise combination of skills and talent will prove the winning one, one thing they all agree on is that this year will be a truly riveting contest. To see how the race unfolds, follow RAAM online starting June 11 at www.raceacrossamerica.org.

About Race Across America

The Race Across America, celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year, starts its 3,043-mile route in Oceanside, California and finishes in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Annointed “the World’s Toughest Race” by Outside Magazine, the race adds the Solo-Enduro category as a new challenge this year. Now solo riders must include a minimum of 40 hours off their bike, all at specific control points along the way, as part of their race strategy. Top individual racers pedal roughly 350 miles per day, burning 9,000+ calories and braving heat, headwinds, altitude and severe fatigue. Two-person and four-person relays comprising men and women race non-stop, covering 400-500 miles per day. The race’s senior management and ownership is in the hands of Race Director Jim Pitre, current co-holder of the 2-person 55+ Team record, and Head Official Lon Haldeman, two-time solo winner in 1982 and 1983.

For further background and race history, please visit www.raceacrossamerica.org.