June 19, 2004 – The Insight Race Across America (RAAM) is set to commence
its 23rd edition on June 20th, 2004. Starting in San Diego, Calif. and
finishing in Atlantic City, NJ, the 2,959-mile route used for this pro-am
cycling race is 40% longer than the Tour de France, includes 103,000 feet
of climbing, and features riders from all over the world.

Sometimes referred to as “The Tour de France done the American way,” the
spirit of RAAM harks back to the hardy pioneers who first crossed North
America in wagon trains. In other words, it’s real tough!

Categories of racing include Solo, 2-Person Team, 4-Person Team, and
Corporate Team (eight riders). Both men and women can compete in the race,
and it is open to anybody who qualifies, be they professional or amateur
riders.

The fastest solo riders in this year’s race are expected to be Austria’s
Wolfgang Fasching, Slovenia’s Jure Robic, and RAAM record-holder Rob Kish
of the USA, who this year competes in his 19th RAAM. Kish’s solo record
for the crossing is 8 days, 3 hours.

The Four-Person Teams battle is also an international struggle. An elite
cycling outfit from the British Royal Air Force has won the event twice
and this year returns looking for a third victory. Stiff challenge is
expected from America’s Team Vail-GoFast, which includes professional
mountain bike racers, and Team Action Sports, which is composed of pro
road cycle racers. Finally, the Brazilian Extra Distance Team is thought
to be a dark-horse contender.

Among the women in RAAM are German auto-racing celebrity, Jutta
Kleinschmidt, who competes in a 2-person mixed team, and two all-woman
teams: Vail B2B Divas and Team Frauleins, representing Germany and Austria.