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  6/06/08
  CYCLING CLASSIC RETURNS TO NASHVILLE
   
 

Third Annual Edgar Soto Memorial Cycling Classic Set For June 2008

NASHVILLE – More than 500 professional and amateur bicycle racers will pedal into Nashville June 13-15 for the third annual Edgar Soto Memorial Cycling Classic (ESMCC), presented by TriStar Cycling and Gran Fondo Cycles of Nashville.

This year's classic will feature three criterium events – one in downtown Nashville , one at the Music City Motorplex speedway and one at Maryland Farms in Brentwood .

Known among racers as the “NASCAR of bicycle racing,” the criterium race has cyclists riding on a closed course. The criterium is perhaps the most spectator-friendly event in cycling, and race sponsors expect high turnout for the events.

The size of each race varies from 20 to 100 racers. Beginner races last from 20 to 30 minutes, while veteran races may last up to 75 minutes. Since the classic began in 2006, the event has grown to include almost 500 cyclists, and this year's event is expected to have even more.

“We have increased the total purse to $19,000, which has attracted several top professional riders and teams in the Southeast,” said James Soto, one of the race organizers and son of the late Edgar Soto.

Professional teams committed to this year's race include Jittery Joe's Professional Cycling Team from Athens , Ga. , Health Net Professional Cycling Team from Oakland , Calif. , and DLP Texas Instruments Professional Cycling Team from Raleigh , N.C.

The classic begins with trial and sprint competitions at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., respectively, on Friday, June 13, at the Music City Motorplex at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds. Racing action

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will continue on Saturday, June 14, with a professional race through downtown Nashville beginning at noon and ending at the finish line at 8:45 p.m. Saturday's race will mirror cycling events in major cities such as Chicago , Charlotte , St. Louis and Birmingham . The race moves to Brentwood 's Maryland Farms area on Sunday, June 15, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and concludes with trophy presentations.

The classic also offers an opportunity for children ages 10 and younger to participate in the “Kiddie” criterium on Saturday. Registration for this event is free. Ages 10 and older are eligible to race in the “Junior” category. This race begins at 3:40 p.m. and includes three wave starts (5 years old and younger; 6 and 7 years old; 8 to 11 years old). Children are welcome to use their training wheels. This race focuses on fun; not on winning. Parents are welcome to follow their small child on the course during the race to ensure safety. Bike helmets are mandatory. All participants in the Kiddie criterium will receive a goodie bag. In addition, USA Cycling will award every child a medal. There are no race entry fees for any junior category registration.

The classic is named in honor of Edgar Soto, a cyclist who was killed while riding his bike in the Nashville area in 2003. The event is dedicated to promoting greater awareness about sharing the road and making it safer for cyclists and pedestrians.

The Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center is the official race hotel and is offering a special promotion rate to racers and their families. Gaylord Entertainment is one of the event's premier sponsors and is hosting professional cycling teams at the Radisson Hotel at Opryland.

The Edgar Soto Memorial Cycling Classic, a three-day event held in Middle Tennessee, is designed to be one of the most challenging and fun amateur criterium racing experiences in the country. The event aims to promote Share the Road initiatives to promote safe cycling.  Sponsorship and volunteer opportunities are still available, and organizers are now accepting prize donations. For more information, please e-mail event organizers at mailto:info@sotomemorial.orgor visit http://www.sotomemorial.orgfor the latest information.

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EDITOR'S NOTE

Photography from last year's event is available at http://www.jaylevyphotography.com/soto07.

Photographs are courtesy of Jay Levy and should be credited to him. A high-resolution logo, designed by local artist Bryce McCloud, is available upon request.

Local racers participating in this year's classic and James Soto, race organizer and son of the late Edgar Soto, are available for interviews.

 

   
6/15/08
Gaylord Opryland Named Official Hotel Of Cycling Classic
 
NASHVILLE , Tenn. – The Gaylord Opryland Resort Hotel and Convention Center has been named the official race hotel for the third annual Edgar Soto Memorial Cycling Classic, being held June 13-15 in Nashville .

Gaylord Entertainment is one of the premier sponsors of the event. The Opryland Resort Hotel and Convention Center is offering a special race promotion rate to racers and their families, and the Opryland Radisson will host members of professional cycling teams.

“We are proud to partner with Gaylord Entertainment this year,” said James Soto, an organizer of the race, and son of the late Edgar Soto. “We see this as a great opportunity for race participants to experience one of Nashville 's greatest tourist attractions during their stay.”

The Edgar Soto Memorial Cycling Classic, a three-day event held in Middle Tennessee, is named in honor of Edgar Soto, a cyclist who was killed while riding his bike in the Nashville area in 2003. The event aims to promote Share the Road initiatives to promote safe cycling and is designed to be one of the most challenging and fun amateur criterium racing experiences in the country.   Sponsorship and volunteer opportunities are still available, and organizers are now accepting prize donations. For more information, please e-mail event organizers at mailto:info@sotomemorial.orgor visit http://www.sotomemorial.orgfor the latest information.

 
 
News
 
4/18/08
Accomodation packages are now available for 2008 racers.
 

The Rennaissance Hotel in downtown Nashville will be providing a discounted rental rates for Soto Criterium racers. $99 per night, plus taxes, based on availability. ***Please try and make reservations before 5/30/08.***


Please visit the marriot website to register.

 

 
News
 
3/03/ 08
TriStar Cycling is proud to present the 3rd Annual Edgar Soto Memorial Cycling Classic (ESMCC) on June 13, 14 and 15, 2008.
 
This event honors the memory of Edgar Soto; a cyclist, a father and a grandfather who was killed while riding his bike in the greater Nashville area. In his honor, we strive to increase awareness of “Share the Road” initiatives for and across the country as part of our event. The ESMCC has grown tremendously in its two year history with a participation level near 600 in 2007. We expect great things again in 2008! This year, we will stage three criterium (crit) races throughout the greater Nashville area. Criterium racing is the most exciting format, pitting racers against one another for an intense contest on a closed course. Field sizes can vary anywhere from 20 up to over 100 racers on the course for a set period of time. Beginner categories race for 20-30 minutes while veterans race up to 75 minutes. The event will kick-off on Friday with a timed trial and sprint competitions at the Music City Motorplex. This will be an exciting venue for racers and spectators alike. Saturday will see high-speed excitement in the heart of downtown all afternoon and into the evening, with professional racers finishing under the lights around 8:00pm - taking advantage of the night-time crowds. This event is intended to mirror similar long-standing events held in cities such as Chicago, Charlotte, St. Louis, Athens, and Birmingham. On Sunday, our event moves south to Maryland Farms in Brentwood – a successful venue for many years. On this day, we will crown the overall champions at the conclusion of each event. The substantial purse is $15,000 for the winner of the criterium! We are honored to partner with the Nashville Sports Council for promoting the ESMCC. There are many levels of sponsorship opportunities available. To discuss how you can become involved – from financial sponsorship to donation of merchandise to be awarded as prizes, or even to offer your support as a volunteer - please reach out to us at info@sotomemorial.org. Keep checking back with us for more information as the event draws closer!
 
News
 
3/28 06
SRAM Neutral Race Support secured for Edgar Soto Memorial Stage Race
 

For Immediate Release – TriStar Cycling, Gran Fondo Cycles and MOAB Bike Shop are pleased to announce that SRAM Neutral Support will be providing race support for the inaugural Edgar Soto Memorial Stage Race to be held Memorial Day Weekend May 26th to May 29th.  “We are very excited to have this level of professionalism present at our stage race and I know that the competitors will appreciate the support as well” said Lynn Greer, co-race promoter and owner of Gran Fondo Cycles in Nashville, TN.

SRAM Neutral Support will be available during the Criterium Stage through the final Road Race stage as well. Beyond their assistance with the Edgar Soto Memorial Stage Race, SRAM is making a huge effort to “simply further our commitment to the road segment,” said SRAM's Global Marketing Manager, David Zimberoff.  SRAM will be present providing neutral and mechanical support at over 80 national events this year.

The Edgar Soto Memorial Stage Race begins Friday afternoon, May 26thwith the Stage 1 time trial starting in Leiper's Fork with the awards ceremony that evening at Puckett's Grocery.   Stage 2 moves to the office park of Maryland Farms in Brentwood as racers tackle a fast and demanding criterium.  Stage 3 begins at the Williamson County Agricultural Center where racers must negotiate a circuit race with more than 1,000 feet of climbing per lap.  And the grand finale stage starts and finishes in the town of Spencer about 100 miles East of Brentwood.   Stage 4 covers 77 miles of undulating terrain with almost 7,000 feet of climbing culminating with a 3.5 mile climb up to the Cumberland Plateau.    The event expects to host nearly 500 competitors racing in eight different categories, including Women's Pro/1/2/3/4 and Men's Pro/1/2.   Racers in all categories are encouraged to register early to secure a spot. Visit for online registration information and event details.

If you're not racing, please come out and cheer on the competitors!

 
3/24/06
Stage Racing Comes to Middle Tennessee with the Inaugural Edgar Soto Memorial Stage Race
 

TriStar Cycling, Gran Fondo Cycles and MOAB Bike Shop are pleased to announce the inaugural Edgar Soto Memorial Stage Race to be held Memorial Day Weekend May 26th to May 29th. The four-day timed stage race will begin in Leiper's Fork and finish in the town of Spencer on top of the Cumberland Plateau. The event will offer a $17,100 cash purse, the largest purse for any Tennessee Bicycle Racing Association (TBRA) event, and racers will vie for the J. Alexander's general classification yellow jersey and the Hincapie Sports sprinter's green jersey. "We're very excited to bring true stage racing back to Tennessee, and with the support of our co-promoters, sponsors, host cities and spectators, we hope to elevate the Soto Memorial to a National Racing Calendar event in the next few years" said Brian Cote, president of TriStar Cycling Team.

Beyond the competition, the event is being held to increase motorist and cyclist awareness of the "Share the Road" initiative for safe cycling. Two years ago, Edgar Soto, the father of a local racer, died as a result of injuries sustained after being hit by a motorist. His son, James, tells the story. "My family and I encouraged him to take up the sport of cycling, so my father began a daily routine which encompassed road cycling approaching 20 miles a day. After 42 years of hard work for one company and less than 2 years of retirement he was fitter than ever having now ridden every day for 5 months. Tragically, despite a sunny day with the sun to his back on a straight as an arrow road, my father was struck by a motorist who "just didn't see him" and later died as a result of massive brain trauma. The helmet he diligently wore was not enough."

The Edgar Soto Memorial Stage Race begins Friday afternoon, May 26thwith the Stage 1 time trial starting in Leiper's Fork with the awards ceremony that evening at Puckett's Grocery. Stage 2 moves to the office park of Maryland Farms in Brentwood as racers tackle a fast and demanding criterium. Stage 3 begins at the Williamson County Agricultural Center where racers must negotiate a circuit race with more than 1,000 feet of climbing per lap. And the penultimate stage starts and finishes in the town of Spencer about 100 miles East of Brentwood. Stage 4 covers 77 miles of undulating terrain with almost 7,000 feet of climbing culminating with a 3 mile climb up to the Cumberland Plateau. The event expects to host nearly 500 competitors racing in eight different categories, including Women's Pro/1/2/3/4 and Men's Pro/1/2. Racers in all categories are encouraged to register early to secure a spot. Visit http://www.sotomemorial.orgfor online registration information and event details.

If you're not racing, please come out and cheer on the competitors!

In Loving Memory Of Edgar Soto
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