3-stage pro men's competition introduced
The number of professional riders (those who are certified by cycling sanctioning organizations) has more than doubled for the second annual Alexian Brothers Tour of Elk Grove international cycling event to be held on Saturday and Sunday, August 11 and 12, in Elk Grove Village.

In 2006, its inaugural year, there were 68 professional riders. In 2007 this number has more than doubled to nearly 150 out of an expected field of more than 1,000 riders.

"The quality of participating riders is a testimony to the growing reputation of Tour of Elk Grove in the world cycling community. With 13 races and $200,000 in total prize money it's also the richest pro-am cycling event in the U.S.," says Elk Grove Mayor Craig Johnson, who also serves as Director of Tour of Elk Grove.

Among the pro riders scheduled to participate is Chris Horner, who was the second-fastest American at this year's Tour de France. Horner placed 15th overall. Also racing again in 2007 is Australian Hilton Clarke who was the overall winner at last year's Tour of Elk Grove.

Also scheduled to participate are professional riders from more than 20 countries including Denmark, France, Spain, Belgium, Switzerland, Chile, Haiti and Germany, to name a few.

Highlights in 2007 include a NEW 3-stage professional men's competition, the last leg of which will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, featuring a total of $152,500 in prize money. Individual cash prizes will be awarded for each stage as well as overall winners of the 3-stage competition. The three competitive stage legs are:
*A 4.5-mile Time Trial (Saturday) with $15,000 in total prize money
*An 80K Criterium Race (Saturday) with $30,000 in total prize money (2.3-mile loop)
*Overall stage leader after Stage 2 with $2,500 in bonus prize money
*A grand finale 100K Criterium Race (Sunday) with a total $45,000 in total prize money (1.7-mile loop)
Overall there is $60,000 in total prize money for the top 25 places.

The grand champion of the 3-stage competition will receive the event's biggest single cash prize of $26,000.

Tour of Elk Grove will be held at Ridge and Elk Grove Boulevard (Audubon Park). Admission is free for spectators. Races start at 9 a.m. each day.

For more information and a complete schedule please visit www.tourofelkgrove.com or call (773) 868-3010.

Tour of Elk Grove is presented by Alexian Brothers Medical Center, a nationally acclaimed health care facility in Elk Grove Village.