(Northbrook, Ill., Aug. 15) - Olympic Gold Medalist Marty Nothstein joined 2002 Russian National Champion Oleg Grichkine and other regional and national stars in a benefit race to help the effort to save the Northbrook Park District Ed Rudolph Velodrome on Thursday, August 14.

Nothstein and Grichkine delivered a one-two punch for their Navigators Professional Cycling Team in the 10-mile Alberto1s Invitational, before retiring from the race during a brief rain delay. A standing-room-only crowd of more than 500 watched as Northbrook regular Shannon Malmquist (RPM/Hayes Brakes), 2002 Illinois State Points Race Champion, edged out a hard-charging Kenny Labbe of the U.S. Postal Service Presented by Berry Floor Team for the win. Redline Racing sponsored a full night of amateur racing that also thrilled spectators.

Preliminary estimates indicate that almost $5,000 was contributed to help save the Velodrome. Nearly $150 of that was raised by 10-year-old Pete Wright of Northbrook, a local resident who has now donated more than $200 brought in through a lemonade stand set up near his home and at the track. Wright and others were treated to a star-studded night at the facility, as Nothstein and Grichkine joined USPS racer and Lemont, Illinois, native Christian Vande Velde in an extended autograph session after the race.

"This was an incredible momentum builder," said Pete Janunas, Northbrook Cycle Committee President. "Having this many people come out to show their support for the track really has an impact on our effort to save the Velodrome. Our thanks go out to the Navigators Team and Trialtir USA for their help in bringing this together." Trialtir is the exclusive U.S. distributor for Colnago, Biemme, Biotex, Limar, and Northwave, and is an official supplier for the Navigators Team.

The Northbrook Park District Ed Rudolph Velodrome has endured 14 years of harsh weather since it was last resurfaced, and is in danger of closing after the 2004 season unless improvements are made. The Northbrook Park District, which owns the facility, has offered to fund half the project, charging the Northbrook Cycle Committee (NCC) with raising approximately $150,000 to close the funding gap. The NCC has created a reserve fund for the effort, and CPA Doug Pence has donated his time to overseeing its accounting. More information is available at www.northbrookvelodrome.com