"Rookie" Looks to Upset Favorites at 'Cross Nationals Chris Horner to Line Up in Providence
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Dec. 1, 2005) - A newcomer to cyclo-cross, Tour de France star Chris Horner, will line up to race at the Liberty Mutual U.S. National Cyclo-cross Championships.Horner recently made his cyclo-cross debut at the final two races in the Crank Brothers U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross in California. Starting from the middle of the pack, Horner made up for a lack of prowess with pure power. He placed 13th and 11th respectively and earned crucial UCI points to secure a good start position in Providence.
"I had a blast," Horner told the crowd after the final race, the Grand Prix Clark Natwick in San Francisco. "I think this suits me."
(photo credit: roadcycling.com)
Horner has dominated American road racing for nearly a decade before making his Tour de France debut in 2005. Despite breaking a leg early in the season, Horner won a stage in the Tour de Suisse and made two strong breakaways in the Tour de France nearly stick for stage wins. Horner also placed second at the Wachovia U.S. Pro Road Championships.
Horner will step to the start of the elite race on December 10 to match skills with the lauded likes of Jonathan Page, Tim Johnson, Ryan Trebon, Adam Craig, Todd Wells, and Mark McCormack. The men's elite race is set to begin promptly at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10.
For the complete race schedule and information about the Liberty Mutual U.S. National Cyclo-cross Championships, visit www.cyclocrossnationals.com
About Liberty Mutual:
Boston-based Liberty Mutual Group is a leading global insurer and sixth largest property and casualty insurer in the U.S. whose largest line of business is personal auto based on 2004 direct written premium. As of Dec. 31, 2004, LMG had $72.4 billion in consolidated assets and $19.6 billion in annual consolidated revenue. The Company ranks 111th on the Fortune 500 list of largest corporations in the United States based on 2004 revenue.
Liberty Mutual Group offers a wide range of insurance products and services, including personal automobile, homeowners, workers compensation, commercial multiple peril, commercial automobile, general liability, global specialty, group disability, assumed reinsurance, fire and surety.
Liberty Mutual Group (www.libertymutual.com) employs more than 38,000 people in nearly 900 offices throughout the world.
About Roger Williams Park:
Known as the 'Jewel of Providence,' the award-winning Roger Williams Park attracts more than 2 million visitors per year. Cited by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of America's premier urban parks, Roger Williams Park was designed by Horace Cleveland. Roger Williams Park is located just south of downtown Providence, the capital of Rhode Island.
About USA Cycling:
USA Cycling is the official cycling organization recognized by the USOC and is responsible for identifying, training and selecting cyclists to represent the United States in international competitions. USA Cycling, doing business as the USCF, NORBA, and USPRO, controls nearly two dozen major events each year and issues permits for up to 3,000 more.
About the New England Cyclo-cross Association:
The New England Cyclo-cross Association is the committee formed specifically to promote the 2005 and 2006 Liberty Mutual U.S. National Cyclo-cross Championships. Headquartered in Arlington, Mass., the core members of this committee have experience promoting four national championships and dozens of national caliber events.
"I had a blast," Horner told the crowd after the final race, the Grand Prix Clark Natwick in San Francisco. "I think this suits me."
Horner has dominated American road racing for nearly a decade before making his Tour de France debut in 2005. Despite breaking a leg early in the season, Horner won a stage in the Tour de Suisse and made two strong breakaways in the Tour de France nearly stick for stage wins. Horner also placed second at the Wachovia U.S. Pro Road Championships.
Horner will step to the start of the elite race on December 10 to match skills with the lauded likes of Jonathan Page, Tim Johnson, Ryan Trebon, Adam Craig, Todd Wells, and Mark McCormack. The men's elite race is set to begin promptly at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10.
For the complete race schedule and information about the Liberty Mutual U.S. National Cyclo-cross Championships, visit www.cyclocrossnationals.com
About Liberty Mutual:
Boston-based Liberty Mutual Group is a leading global insurer and sixth largest property and casualty insurer in the U.S. whose largest line of business is personal auto based on 2004 direct written premium. As of Dec. 31, 2004, LMG had $72.4 billion in consolidated assets and $19.6 billion in annual consolidated revenue. The Company ranks 111th on the Fortune 500 list of largest corporations in the United States based on 2004 revenue.
Liberty Mutual Group offers a wide range of insurance products and services, including personal automobile, homeowners, workers compensation, commercial multiple peril, commercial automobile, general liability, global specialty, group disability, assumed reinsurance, fire and surety.
Liberty Mutual Group (www.libertymutual.com) employs more than 38,000 people in nearly 900 offices throughout the world.
About Roger Williams Park:
Known as the 'Jewel of Providence,' the award-winning Roger Williams Park attracts more than 2 million visitors per year. Cited by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of America's premier urban parks, Roger Williams Park was designed by Horace Cleveland. Roger Williams Park is located just south of downtown Providence, the capital of Rhode Island.
About USA Cycling:
USA Cycling is the official cycling organization recognized by the USOC and is responsible for identifying, training and selecting cyclists to represent the United States in international competitions. USA Cycling, doing business as the USCF, NORBA, and USPRO, controls nearly two dozen major events each year and issues permits for up to 3,000 more.
About the New England Cyclo-cross Association:
The New England Cyclo-cross Association is the committee formed specifically to promote the 2005 and 2006 Liberty Mutual U.S. National Cyclo-cross Championships. Headquartered in Arlington, Mass., the core members of this committee have experience promoting four national championships and dozens of national caliber events.
posted by Ryan Amirault at Thursday, December 01, 2005
