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Fitchburg Longsjo Classic on a roll, expands spectator events

Contact: Bill White, Media Relations, 978.597.1766, Fax 978.383.5806, wwhite@planningconcepts.com

Fitchburg, MA - June 08, 2007 – Race volunteers for the Fitchburg Longsjo Classic have added a host of events for spectators which coincide with the four days of cycling racing that get underway June 28th in North Central Massachusetts.

“In addition to some incredible racing, we have added a multitude of activities designed specifically for families and children,” commented George Gantz, senior vice president of Unitil and president of Fitchburg Cycling Club.

A special opening ceremony and pasta buffet has been added. The Best Western Royal Plaza in Fitchburg, MA, the official race headquarters, will host an All You Can Eat Pasta Buffet from 5:30 to 8:00 PM Wednesday, June 27 in conjunction with the Opening Ceremony at 7:00 PM. Tickets for the dinner are $12.95 in advance or $15 at the door. The ceremony is free and includes a special exhibit of Art Longsjo’s prestigious cycling career, organized by the Fitchburg Historical Society.

Fitchburg State College is hosting a barbeque on Friday, June 29 during the Circuit Race, which is a 3.1-mile loop past the college on Pearl Street. According to Gantz, hot dogs and hamburgers will be served by Chartwell, which will set up at the intersection of Pearl Street and Highland Ave.

The First Congregational Church in Princeton Center is hosting a Food Fest on Saturday, June 30th that includes breakfast, a barbeque and all-you-can eat pasta dinner that is coordinated with the Wachusett Mountain Road Race, a grueling course that includes a 104 mile pro men’s race.

In addition, new this year, Wachusett Ski Area is opening up its ski area for the Saturday race. It includes a barbeque, music and the SkyRide, which will provide rides on the ski lift to the top of the mountain to see the finish of the race. Gantz noted that anyone who donates an old bike on Saturday, which will benefit the Boys and Girls Club and Worcester Earn-A-Bike, will receive a free SkyRide to the summit.

The MBTA has once again collaborated with the race to provide additional trains from Boston to Fitchburg on Sunday, July 1 for Workers’ Credit Union Downtown Criterium. Ride to the Races participants allow recreational cyclists to take the train to Fitchburg with their bike, ride self-guided routes from 16-70 miles, watch the race and have access to secure bike parking, hot showers, food coupons and discount train fare. The cost is $25.00.

A host of activities will be taking place at Putnam Place, Boulder Drive, Fitchburg, MA on Sunday. The Welcome Center, sponsored by Waste Management, will include: Mike Steidley Extreme Bike Stunt Show in the early afternoon, Frisbee shows with Todd Brodeur, face painting, games and other activities. In addition, Outback Steak House will be selling food, with all the proceeds benefiting the Boys & Girls Club of North Central Massachusetts.

It is anticipated that Sunday’s race will include handcycling. The U.S. Handcycling Federation in

Evergreen, CO and AbilityPlus in New Hampshire are organizing the race, which is scheduled for approximately 10:40 am.

Race volunteers also added, for the more adventurous, a Community Citizen’s Race on Sunday, July 1st. Riders will race three laps on the world-famous criterium course. The proceeds from the race registration will benefit fitness programs at the Boys and Girls Club, which will also be participating with its own ride around the course. The law office of O’Connor and Ryan, PC is sponsoring the race. The cost to participate is $25.

More information on most of these events can be found at www.longsjo.com. The race is made possible by The Ronald M. Ansin Foundation, Unitil, Best Western Royal Plaza, Fitchburg State College, Workers’ Credit Union and Bovenzi, Inc.

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About the Fitchburg Longsjo Classic

As the second oldest and largest pro/am cycling race in North America, it honors the memory of Arthur Longsjo, the nation’s first dual Olympian and Fitchburg, Massachusetts native, who is a member of the Cycling Hall of Fame and Speed Skating Hall of Fame. The oldest U.S. cycling race still in existence is the Tour of Somerville, which Art Longsjo won in 1958.