Super Week Coming to Ripon, July 18

Ripon College will host Stage 9 of the Point Premium Root Beer International Cycling Classic bicycle race Friday, July 18. Commonly known as Wisconsin Super Week, this year’s race — the 40th annual — promises the best in professional and elite amateur cycling with men and women competitors from across the United States and more than 20 foreign countries.

Racing on a 0.6-mile course that circumnavigates the historic college campus, participants will be challenged with four corners and two short climbs on each loop. The Ripon College Red Hawk Criterium is the ninth race in a series of 18 that begin Friday, July 11 and end Sunday, July 27.

Members of fashion mogul Michael Ball’s controversial Rock Racing team, as well as racers from Australia’s Virgin Blue squad and the Hong Kong Cycling Team, are anticipated to race, according to Michael Garrison, director of marketing for race promoter Breakaway Event Productions of Milwaukee. Garrison said several Olympic athletes from various countries will also be in attendance as they prepare for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games to be held in August.

Racing will begin at 10:30 a.m. with the Category 4 & 5 men and culminate with the top professional racers who will compete in a 100 K event at 4:45 p.m.

“Ripon College has a rich history in the sport of cycling dating back to the 1890s,” said Ric Damm, head coach of cycling at Ripon College. “The College, through its Velorution Project and the establishment of the new Red Hawk cycling team, hopes to create a renaissance of the bicycle culture on campus. This race is a part of that effort.”

Additional race sponsors include Tracy Porter Inc. and Alliance Laundry Systems.

Ripon’s Main Street Inc. encourages spectators and racers alike to remain after the final race to enjoy the sounds of the Beatles tribute band, The Britins, who take the stage at the Village Green from 7 to 10 p.m.

For more information, visit the International Cycling Classic Web site at www.iccsuperweek.com.