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Here are some important pieces of information that you’ll need for this weekend…
- Our ever-so-indulgent race and team sponsors, The Bike Surgeon and Specialized, have come up with a CRAZY GOOD promotion for our racers… They will be raffling off a brand-new Specialized Allez Evo Rival race bike. This is a lean, mean racing machine! They’re also throwing in one of their professional 2-D Specialized BG bike fits. The podium (1st-3rd) of each category, each race will have their names entered in to the drawing. So, the more races you enter (and podium in), the better your chances! The bike will be raffled off after the P/1/2/3 race on Sunday. You must be present to win! We have lots going on Sunday, so we guarantee that you won’t be sitting around bored waiting for the raffle!
- You’ll get an opportunity to lay eyes on an example of said bicycle (we’ll order the one for the winner in the proper size) at the after-party Saturday night at the Bike Surgeon. For those from out of the area, the Bike Surgeon not only has a reputation as a great shop, but those guys also know how to throw a party! Free food from Shooters and FREE BEER!!! The party will start around 5pm on Saturday and go on until we all decide to go home. Please bring your friends/families out!
- Time Trial Travel - Due to road construction on the west end of Lebanon (Belleville St.), all participants must get to McKendree University in Lebanon via Illinois Route 4, then traveling through the center of town on West St. Louis St, or straight thorough downtown Lebanon. Turn onto North Alton and parking will be on your right near the stadium.
- Time Trial Registration will open at 4:30pm and will take place inside the Gymnasium, just north of the Start/Finish on the campus of McKendree University. Registration will roll throughout the evening as we fill each starting wave and will close at 6:45pm.
- TT start times are posted on our website, www.ofallongrandprix.com
- Due to the “rolling” nature of start times, there will not be podium ceremonies on Friday night. After results are finalized they will be posted at the TT site for the official protest period and again on Saturday at the road race. Prizes will be awarded to TT podium placers at the road race. If you are not present at the road race, we will mail your prize to the address given on the registration form. But if you’re good enough to podium, you might as well race all three days!!!
- The Road Race instruction sheet is available on the race website, www.ofallongrandprix.com . Please take a look and familiarize yourself with the “rules of the road”.
- Road Race Number pick-up (and registration those of you who procrastinated) on Saturday morning will be located inside Fulton Jr. High and will be open at 7:00am. Registration will close 30 minutes prior to the start of each race. Please make sure that you have your current USAC license in hand, or a printed authorization to ride. We will be checking these!
- Chip timing will be provided by UltraMax, so you can count on the quick, accurate results that they consistently deliver to racers throughout the region. We've put quite a bit of time and effort into ensuring that we can score the race, announce results, and have podiums as quickly as possible. Please make sure that you pick up your timing chip after you get your race number and that you drop it off when you’re done racing.
- Road Race Podiums will take place immediately after the results are finalized by the officials. Please make sure and stick around so that you can represent your team/sponsors and get to fully experience the sweet taste of victory.
- If any of you have seen the forecast, it is going to be hot out there on Saturday. To counter-act this, we'll be placing a couple of tables in the feed zone so that riders without support personnel can set down bottles. So, please be mindful of this when you're passing through. 5 gallon containers of both water and Heed will be located near the start/finish area AND at the MEC volunteer registration tent. Feel free to fill up before/after the race. If by chance it's empty, grab a volunteer. We will also attempt to keep 2 large coolers full of ice for those of you who want to have super-chilled water or create a cooling ice-sock. I say attempt, because we can’t guarantee that the ice won’t melt, so first come, first served… We will be placing a self-service table at corner 16 (County line/Bowler) which is roughly mile 14 (or mile 6 for the 11 mile half loop). This table will be stocked with disposable water bottles (pre-opened). We hope to have someone here handing them out. There will be a bottle drop zone located at the next turn (please drop bottles here - we don't want to litter). We will be putting water at least the P/1/2 and Cat 3 wheel trucks. The fire department will have their spray fountain out (we’ve been told the whole day) PLUS we will have two additional misters. As you can tell, we’ve put a lot of effort into ensuring that everyone has a SAFE and fun race.
- There will be a plethora of family-type attractions going on during throughout the day on Saturday. Registration for our ever-popular kids race runs from 9:00am until 10:30am next to the staging area and the races begin at 11:00am. We will have inflatable bounce house and rock climbing wall (from 9:30am to 3:00pm) for the kids. Arch Helicopter will land at the race and provide tours of the helicopter. The O'Fallon Fire Department will also be providing tours of their fire trucks. So, bring out the family and make it a day at the races!
- The Memorial Hospital mobile health truck will be on-site offering free screenings on Saturday. They've been a great sponsor and at our request, they're also bringing along some of their sports medicine staff to answer any questions that our racers might have. Expect a long line for those guys after the Masters finish up...
- Criterium Number pick-up (and registration for those of you who procrastinated) on Sunday will be located in a tent near the start/finish and will be open at 7:00am. Registration will close 30 minutes prior to the start of each race. Please make sure that you have your current USAC license in hand, or a printed authorization to ride. We will be checking these!
- Criterium Podiums will take place immediately after the results are finalized by the officials. Please make sure and stick around so that you can represent your team/sponsors and get to fully experience the sweet taste of victory.
- It's also supposed to be hot on Sunday. Again, to counter-act this, we'll be placing a couple of 5 gallon containers of both water and Heed at the registration tent. Feel free to fill up before/after the race. If by chance it's empty - grab a volunteer. We will also attempt to keep 2 large coolers full of ice for those of you who want to have super-chilled water or create a cooling ice-sock. I say attempt, because we can’t guarantee that the ice won’t melt, so first come, first served… The O’Fallon fire department will have their spray fountain out again on Sunday (we’ve been told the whole day) PLUS we will have two additional misters.
- The Masons will be hosting a pancake breakfast Sunday morning from 7:00am to 11:00am. Think carbo-loading!!! MMmmm, bacon…
- There are also lots of family-type attractigoingons on during throughout the day on Sunday. For starters, we will have the Kiwanis Bike Rodeo going on from 12:00pm until 3:00pm offering safety inspections, an obstacle course, and free helmets for those who need them. Registration for our ever-popular kids’ race runs from 11:00am until 1:00pm at the registration tent and the races begin at 1:30pm. We will have inflatable bounce house and rock climbing wall for the kids. The O'Fallon Fire Department will also be providing tours of their fire trucks. So, bring out the family and make it a day at the races!
- Several of our local establishments in Downtown O’Fallon are hosting a “Wing Walk”. This is basically an opportunity for you to sample wings from local restaurants/bars and act as a judge to determine “Best in O’Fallon”. The participants will also be hosting some food/drink specials for our racers, families, and fans!
- We've secured the services of the one and only Aaro Froese for the entire weekend. Expect some off-color commentary, crowd pump, leopard clothing, and maybe some cowbell. Yes...
the race directors in black OGP polo's. That should be it for now! Safe travels, and we look forward to seeing you this weekend!
