Cyclists gear up for Chevron Manhattan Beach Grand Prix
Sounding like a swarm of hornets and flashing a rainbow of colors, cyclists navigate the corner at 15th Street during competition at the Chevron Manhattan Beach Grand Prix. Photo
The growing participation of women in the sport of cycling will be evident Sunday when competition in the 52nd edition of the Chevron Manhattan Beach Grand Prix begins at 7 a.m.
Nearly 1,000 racers and approximately 7,500 spectators will converge near Live Oak Park as men and women compete in eight categories before the kids take to the street in the popular community races
The Manhattan Beach Grand Prix (MBGP) is co-sponsored by the South Bay Wheelmen and the South Bay Wheelmen Foundation and provides racing for all levels of men and women USAC racers as well as a wide age range of community racers.
Adult cyclists will take on the challenging course in an effort to win a portion of the $26,500 in prize money and one of the coveted Grand Prix winners’ jerseys.
After a many-year absence, the Women’s Category 3-4 race has been added to this year’s schedule and the Women’s 1-2 race will pay the same podium money as the Men’s Pro 1 race.
Concluding the festivities of the day are the popular kid’s races where the next generation of cyclists showcase their talents. Photo
“It’s really exciting that there will be a Women’s 3/4 field at the MBGP this year,” said cyclist Julie Riccardi Liubicic, who joined the South Bay Wheelmen n 2010 after moving to the South Bay from New York. “There have been a lot of cuts to women’s racing in Southern California this season, so I think it’s particularly important that SBW has invested in women’s racing this year. The Women’s 3/4 field is important because that’s where women get their start racing; the more opportunities there are to race, the more the sport will grow for women.”
“By not only by adding a Women’s 3/4 field, but by investing more money into the Pro Women’s field to make it an NCC pro race (on par with the men’s race), there will be professional women’s teams racing from around the country. competing this year. This gives the local Cat 1/2 women the opportunity to race in a top-notch pro level race.”
The MBGP has grown to become not only one of the oldest single-day cycling events in the nation, but one of the premiere competitions on the United States Cycling Federation (USCF) circuit. It is also one of the more “technical” courses on the USA Cycling National Criterium Challenge (NCC) calendar.
The 1.4-mile course has been described as a “bent paperclip.” It circles clockwise past Live Oak Park, up Valley Drive and down Ardmore, from 15th Street to Pacific Avenue. It features two long straight-aways, two sweeping 180 degree turns, and 50 feet of climbing per lap. A headwind on the downward leg makes a breakaway difficult and stresses the importance of team tactics going into the final turn.
Founded in 1962 by local cycling legend Ted Ernst, the MBGP also includes food, nutrition and cycling and fitness exhibits. A Vintage Bicycle Show presented by FarWest Milano Cycling Club features bicycles, equipment and historic displays.
Chevron celebrates its 23rd year as title sponsor of the event and is also the sponsor for the Men’s Pro 1 and Women’s Cat 1-2 races.
“For over 50 years, the historic Chevron Manhattan Beach Grand Prix has been providing world-class racing in a hometown atmosphere,” said Rod Spackman, Chevron’s Manager of Policy, Government and Public Affairs. “The event continues to cultivate a new generation of cycling enthusiasts in Southern California and we are honored that Chevron and the South Bay serves as its base of support.”
Santa Barbara’s Ken Hanson and Shelby Reynolds, of Cypress, are defending champions in the top men’s and women’s races.
Racing begins with the Cat 4 division (7 a.m. – 40 minutes) followed by the Cat 3 race (7:45 a.m. – 55 mins.) sponsored by Helen’s Cycles.
The women hit the course at 8:45 a.m. for a 35-minute race in the Womens Cat 3-4 division sponsored by State Farm/Cynthia Snyder office in Manhattan Beach.
Acura, the official pace car of the event, also sponsors the Master’s 45+ 1-4 race (9:25 a.m. – 45 mins.) which is followed by the Master’s 35+ 1-4 (10:15 a.m. – 50 mins.) sponsored by Shimano which also provides technical support all races.
The top women’s race of the day ensues with the NCC Women’s 1-2 (11:10 a.m. – 55 mins.)
Hyatt Place, the official hotel of the MBGP, sponsors the Cat 2 competition (12:10 p.m. – 50 mins.) which is followed by the marquee race of the day, the NCC Men’s 1 (1:10 p.m. – 80 mins.).
Kids races, sponsored by Dr. Janelle Holden, culminate the day’s activities at 2:40 p.m.
Walk-up registration will be available Saturday, July 6 at Live Oak Park from 3-5 p.m. Add $10 for day-of-race registration. For more information, visit mbgp.com.