Courtesy Saturn Cycling Classic

July 4, 2002(BOULDER, CO) – Greg LeMond, America’s first international cycling
star, announced today that he will be the official starter for the 2002
Saturn Cycling Classic presented by the Saturn VUET. The Saturn Cycling
Classic is considered by many to be “the toughest one-day race on Earth.”
LeMond, who was the first American to win the Tour de France and the World
Cycling Championships, will lead the peloton on August 10 from the starting
line in Boulder at 9:20 a.m. to the finish line in Breckenridge, Colorado at
approximately 4:00 p.m.

The Saturn Cycling Classic is an intense 140-mile race on a route that
climbs over seven mountain passes and descends over steep paved and dirt
roads as it crosses the Continental Divide before dropping to the finish in
the ski resort town of Breckenridge. Reaching altitudes over 11,500 feet, no
race in the world equals the distance, number of climbs, elevation, wind and
varied environmental conditions of the Saturn Cycling Classic, which also
uniquely combines the world’s finest male elite road and mountain bike
racers.

“The Saturn Cycling Classic is exactly the kind of event the U.S. needs to
develop future stars at the highest pinnacle of racing in the world. This is
epic stuff, the kind of race I would have loved,” states LeMond, who will
ride in the pace car for the entire race. The steep gravel and dirt descents
introduce a unique challenge for the racers as they switch from lightweight
road bikes to fat-tired, full suspension mountain bikes for the most
difficult parts of the race.
LeMond, winner of the Tour de France in 1986, 1989 and 1990, is familiar
with the challenges of the Saturn Cycling Classic. In prior years, LeMond
won races on some of the same terrain: in 1979 he won the Red Zinger Classic
when he bested the world’s top ranked Russian National Team in a memorable
Colorado victory. LeMond also returned to Colorado in 1985 and 1986,
splitting Coors Classic victories with his teammate Bernard Hinault.
Now in its second year, the Saturn Cycling Classic’s cyclists compete for
$75,000 in prize money, with the first-place cyclist winning a 2003 Saturn
VUET sport utility vehicle.
Last year, Jonathan Vaughters of Denver, who had to drop out of the Tour de
France due to an allergic bee sting, was the first to cross the finish line
in Breckenridge. Out of the 127 cyclists who started the race, only
approximately 50 racers were able to finish.

“The Saturn Cycling Classic offers many opportunities for people to get
involved in cycling,” observes LeMond. In addition to the men’s elite race,
the Saturn Cycling Classic will feature the Nicole Reinhart Criterium races
in Breckenridge starting at 11:30 am and 12:30 p.m. for amateur men in
categories 3 and 4 respectively. Races for juniors with Olympic dreams start
at 1:45 p.m. and the women’s race starts at 2:45 p.m. Two recreational rides
will be available for amateur cyclists, starting in Breckenridge.
In addition to his race presence, Greg will share his unique cycling
perspective when he speaks on Friday, August 9, at the Boulder Theater at
6:30 p.m. — An Evening with Greg LeMond presented by the Saturn Cycling
Classic. LeMond will discuss and narrate a video presentation on his narrow
eight-second victory in the 1989 Tour de France. Known as one of the most
memorable finishes in the sport, LeMond’s victory will take cycling
enthusiasts and weekend warriors alike through the monumental ride and
pivotal points in the race. In addition, LeMond will review his remarkable
1979 Red Zinger Classic win over the Russian National Team.

Earlier in the evening, cycling enthusiasts are invited to try the Saturn
CyberBike – a virtual cycling racing simulator — from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. in
front of the Boulder Theater. The public will have the opportunity to join
the exciting cycling action by racing each other on the unique simulator.
Saturn has supported cycling for more than a decade. The Saturn Cycling
Team finished the 2001 season as the top-ranked men’s and women’s teams in
the United States, and the women’s team is ranked number one in the world.

Tickets for An Evening with Greg LeMond presented by the Saturn Cycling
Classic are available at the Boulder Theater (303/786-7030) or online at
www.bouldertheater.com. General admission seating including tax and service
charges is $13.

For more information about Saturn Cycling, visit www.saturncycling.com.
For information about the Saturn Cycling Classic, visit
www.saturncyclingclassic.com