November 15, 2005 – USA Cycling announced today that Greenville, S.C. will host The Cliffs USA Cycling Professional National Championships powered by Charter beginning in 2006.

The three-year agreement brings the highest level of one-day professional bike racing on American soil to Greenville as an all-American field will compete for the prestigious title of USPRO Champion.

For the first time, the field will be comprised solely of U.S. citizens and will be open to members of UCI-registered trade teams only.

The road race will be held on September 2, 2006 and will be complemented by the introduction of the first-ever USPRO Time Trial Championship two days earlier on August 31.

Co-organized by Medalist Sports and Southern Hospitality Group Event Management, major sponsors of the event include The Cliffs Communities, a group of gated residential communities in the heart of the Carolina Preserve, and regional cable provider Charter Communications.

“This event will truly showcase the best of the best American cycling talent,” said USA Cycling chief executive officer Gerard Bisceglia. “After a rich history in Philadelphia, the USPRO event has become the benchmark of one-day professional cycling in this country and with the support of The Cliffs and Charter Communications, as well as the unparalleled commitment of the folks at Medalist Sports and Southern Hospitality Group, we fully expect that the USPRO event will thrive in reenville.”

“The Cliffs Communities is extremely proud to be a key part of the initiative that was awarded this national championship of professional cycling,” said chief operating officer of the Cliffs Communities Ken Costanzo. “The Cliffs believes the professional cycling event reinforces the company’s commitment to its state-of-the-art wellness programs. Having the distinct honor of hosting the country’s best cyclists is truly a unique and dynamic opportunity. We welcome the decision and look forward to Labor Day Weekend 2006 when the national champion of professional cycling will be crowned.”

“Charter Communications is thrilled to help bring this exciting event to the Upstate and Western North Carolina. It is clear that there is already an enormous appetite for cycling in this area and it’s gaining momentum,” commented Charter Communications director of sales and marketing Amy Warren. “The fact that we at Charter can be part of supporting a sport that contributes to a healthy lifestyle and adds value to the quality of life in this area is important to us as a community partner.”

The shift to Greenville ends a remarkable 21-year history in Philadelphia where Wachovia and its predecessors supported the event since its inception in 1985 when Eric Heiden became the first-ever USPRO Champion.

“I believe the community will rally around this event and pledge the full backing of my office to help make that happen, said the honorable Knox White, Mayor of Greenville. “Therefore, it is with every confidence that I see this championship, once it is moved to Greenville, being restored to prominence as the highest level of professional cycling accomplishment. The rider that wears the stars and stripes jersey will have truly earned this country’s premier cycling award and we will be proud to say it took place in our community.”

The 2006 Cliffs USA Cycling Professional National Championships powered by Charter

Event Schedule

-Thursday, August 31: Time Trial

-Saturday, September 2: Road Race