2011 MERCO Cycling Classic

Topsport Cycling — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 02:01:15 +0000

The 2011 MERCO Cycling Classic will be held on Thursday, March 3rd through Sunday, March 6th in Merced, CA. Topsport is working on changing the Men’s Pro 1/2 and Women’s Pro 1/2/3 fields into a 4 day stage race format. The Classic will consist of the Lake McClure Road Race, an Individual Time Trial, the Downtown Grand Prix, and the Almond Blossom Road Race. Details on each of these stages can be found below.

Visit the MERCO Cycling Classic page for more information.

TopSport acquires management rights to MERCO Cycling Classic

Topsport Cycling — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 05:07:13 +0000

TopSport of Sonora, California has acquired all operational and management rights of the MERCO Credit Union Cycling Classic presented by McLane Pacific. A staple event on the US racing calendar for the past 19 years, the spring time MERCO-McLane has seen years both on and off of the USA Cycling National Racing Calendar. The TopSport operational and management agreement allows the event to expand to a four day stage race for the pro menand womens fields.

“With the expansion to a four day stage race in 2011, it is critical that the event has a top level management team behind it to allow for current success as well as future expansion both in terms of sponsorship agreements and event growth.

I am confident that Lee Shuemake and his TopSport team will allow for all of this to occur” commented Doug Fluetsch, race founder and previous event director.

The operational and management agreement allows for TopSport to handle all aspects of the race management and operation of the event including all permitting, race schedule development, prize list allocation, website design, awards development, official relations and future course development. The committee that has traditionally been headed by Fluetsch will continue to handle the community relations aspect as well as the festivities that surround the race. The financial terms of the agreement have not been disclosed.

“We are honored to be associated with such a prestigious event” said Lee Shuemake, TopSport’s Director. “I’ve raced this event in the past and to now have the opportunity to manage it is quite a thrill.”

2011 Stage Race Format

The 2011 event to be held March 3-6 in Merced, California will continue to feature two full days of racing for all categories punctuated by the traditional Downtown Grand Prix on March 5 and the 120 mile Foothills Road Race on March 6.

Proceeding these two days for the pro menand womens fields will be a hillier road race with a hill top (1364 meter/4km) finish on top of Exchequer Dam at Lake McClure on March 3rd and an 16K flat individual time trial on March 4th.