July 31, 2003 (New York, NY) – Tyler Hamilton, the second American overall in the recently concluded Tour de France despite suffering a broken collarbone in the race's first stage, will make his first public appearance in the United States at the New York City Cycling Championship presented by BMC Software this Sunday, August 3. There, Hamilton will serve as the official race starter.
The 32-year-old Hamilton, who finished fourth overall in the 100th running of the Tour de France, led his Team CSC to first in the overall team standings. The native of Marblehead, Mass., finished just 6:17 behind fellow American Lance Armstrong who captured his fifth consecutive Tour de France.
Hamilton will arrive in New York on Friday evening and attend the official race press conference on Saturday, August 2 at 11:00 AM at the Marriott Financial Center Hotel. On Sunday, August 3, he will be an official starter of the second annual New York City Cycling Championship presented by BMC Software, a 100-kilometer professional criterium with over seventy top international pro cyclists racing through Manhattan's financial district.
The Start/Finish Line is at the intersection of Wall Street and Water Street and the surrounding area will be transformed into a daylong festival of attractions. The Pro Cycling Tour (PCT) Expo featuring exposition booths, food and drink, free samples and other attractions will be centered in the parking lot of the South Street Seaport Museum, located at the corner of Front and John St. Music will be provided by Pipes & Drums of the New York City Police Department Emerald Society.
Nineteen national and international teams including US Postal Service, Navigators, ONCE Giant, 7UP Maxxis, Saturn and Formaggi Pinzolo Piave, will make up the world-class field. Over 100,000 fans lined the streets of Lower Manhattan last year to witness the first-year spectacle.
The New York City Cycling Championship presented by BMC Software is one of six official events on the five year-old Pro Cycling Tour (PCT), which includes other major markets such as Philadelphia and San Francisco. The New York City event will be televised live by WABC-TV from 12:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Coverage of the event will also air on the Outdoor Life Network as follows: August 21, 7 p.m. and 2 a.m. (broadcast day); August 23, 3 p.m.; and August 27, midnight.
The day of cycling will begin at 7:30 a.m. with the Junior PCT Grand Prix for riders 18 and under. The BMC Software Corporate Challenge will follow at 8:25 a.m. and the amateur team cycling event, the Mengoni Grand Prix, is scheduled for 9:20 a.m.
The BMC Software Bike Messenger Challenge, pitting Manhattan's best delivery cyclists against one another in a uniquely New York event, takes place at 10:40 a.m. The featured men's championship will start at 12:15 p.m. and end at approximately 3 p.m.
The event is sanctioned by USA Cycling with the support of the New York City Sports Commission. Event producer Threshold Sports is a sports marketing and event management company that organizes the Pro Cycling Tour (PCT). Visit www.procyclingtour.com for more information.
BMC Software, Inc. [NYSE:BMC], is the leader in enterprise management. The company focuses on Assuring Business Availability for its customers by helping them proactively improve service, reduce costs and increase value to their business. BMC Software solutions span enterprise systems, applications and databases. Founded in 1980, BMC Software has offices worldwide and is a member of the S&P 500, with fiscal year 2003 revenues of approximately $1.3 billion. Visit www.bmc.com to learn more.