Second Edition News for May 21, 1997

Rolf's Diary

Today I rode in a small race in Switzerland, the Grand Prix Winterthur, and got last! I already had some trouble with the speed and then 2km before the finish I also got a flat. I now know what I have to still train: hills and intensity. Hopefully, the nice weather will stay around a bit longer, then it'll be a very nice (but hard) training ride tomorrow in the Alps.

Chambery, 20 May 97

The training ride was hard, but nice? It rained very hard the whole day, and we went out for only 4 hours but climbed 2000m. But I was always last over the hills, not a good sign. So I can only get better! Tomorrow I will be at least second from the last, every day a little farther.

Translated by David Wear

Seattle To Host Fresca Invitational Cyclists Return to Alki Point July 13

West Seattle will host the Fresca Invitational professional bicycle race, July 13, announced Bob Walsh Enterprises, Inc. The Fresca Invitational, presented by Saturn, is the final event of the 1997 Tour of America, and will crown the overall men's champion of the six-race professional cycling series.

The fast, four-corner, 1.1 mile circuit of the Fresca Invitational will showcase cyclists as they race along Alki Point, from Alki Avenue SW to 63rd Avenue SW and SW Beach Drive. The Fresca Invitational will feature three criteriums, highlighted by the men's PRO/1 invitational, and preceded by men's and women's amateur events. The PRO/1 men's race will be 60 miles, while the amateur men and women will compete in timed events of 60 and 45 minutes, respectively.

"The course of the Fresca Invitational encompasses Alki Point's unique atmosphere and creates a perfect setting for national-caliber bicycle racing," said Steve Penny, Vice President of Bob Walsh Enterprises. Alki Point has hosted several cycling events in the past, including the 1995 Fresca National Criterium Championships.

The Fresca Invitational culminates the 1997 Tour of America series, currently in its fifth year. Other events of the Tour of America include the First Union Grand Prix, April 27, in Atlanta, GA; the Thrift Drug Classic, June 8, in Pittsburgh, PA; the CoreStates Invitational, June 10, in Lancaster, PA; the CoreStates Classic, June 12, in Trenton, NJ; and the CoreStates USPRO Championship, June 15, in Philadelphia, PA.