October 4, 2006 (Gloucester, Mass.) - The 2006 Crank Brothers U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross will kick off its national series on the legendary fields of Stage Fort Park in Gloucester, Mass. on October 7-8 with two days of world class racing at the Gran Prix of Gloucester presented by SemEquip.

A true New England cyclocross classic, the Gran Prix of Gloucester guarantees great courses and unpredictable weather, all in one of the country's true hot beds of cyclocross. These two days of intense racing are hosted at Gloucester's Stage Fort Park -- voted one of the top venues for its challenging course, dramatic waterfront location and event organization in a recent VeloNews poll. New for 2006 will be a kid's race held on Sunday sponsored by Essex County Velo.

"We're excited to once again host two stops of the U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross series," said Paul Boudreau, Race Director, Gran Prix of Gloucester. "Being a part of the series for the past two seasons has helped the Gloucester 'cross events meet and exceed its goals of bringing world-class racing to New England."

The Gran Prix of Gloucester races are part of the Crank Brothers US Gran Prix of Cyclocross --the premier cyclocross series in the United States. The six race series attracts the best racers from across North America who compete for the series overall championship and an automatic USA Cycling world championship berth.

US Gran Prix of Cyclocross series sponsors include Crank Brothers, Clif Bar, SRAM, Ridley Bikes, Selle Italia, VeloNews, Challenge Tires, Yakima, Cyclocrossworld.com, Mavic, Verge Sport, BikeReg.com and AbbiOrca.com Photography.

Barry Wicks (Kona)-Wicks is the defending USGP champion. Continuing his winning ways, he won the National STXC this summer and will be eager to defend his USGP title.

Tim Johnson (Cannondale/cyclocrossworld.com) -- After a full road season, Johnson is in excellent form for USGP 'cross. Three time winner at the Gran Prix of Gloucester, Johnson should be a major threat. Holds the best ever US finish at Worlds with a bronze in Poprad 1999.

Todd Wells (GT) - Wearing the stars and stripes as the current national champ, Wells will be a marked man and should have a strong showing in the series. Wells also won a USGP race in San Francisco in 2005.

Ryan Trebon (Kona)- Trebon really raised his game in Europe last year finishing very strong in some big races. Current MTB National champion, Trebon took the USGP crown in 2004 and had USGP race wins at Portland and Gloucester in 2005.

Adam Craig (Giant) - Craig proved that he can come out on top with a win in Tacoma at the USGP in 2004 and second place finishes at both USGP Gloucester races in 2005.

Mark McCormack (Clif Bar) - McCormack, the New England stalwart of US 'cross, is a very good tactician and seems to seamlessly go from road to 'cross. The former U.S. Pro road champion, McCormack took a win at Tacoma and a third place overall finish in the USGP in 2005.

Jeremy Powers (Jelly Belly) -- Powers has spent the past 2 seasons racing most of the 'cross season in Europe. A young gun who already has a few worlds under his belt, he is staying stateside to focus on doing well domestically before heading back to Europe.

Jesse Anthony (Clif Bar) -- Until last year, Anthony had won 6 straight national cross titles as junior and espoir. Had a very good season on the road and has shown he can ride with the elite men (last year in Gloucester day 2) and even this past weekend in NY.

Lyne Bessette (CyclocrossWorld.com/SRAM) - Bessette is the defending USGP champion winning all but one race in the series in 2005. Retired from the road and focusing solely on 'cross, Bessette should be hungry to defend her USGP crown.

Katie Compton (Spike Professional)-A two-time defending US National Champ, Compton is now embarking on her first USGP season. She is certainly one of the strongest women in the 2006 field.

Wendy Simms (Kona)-- Finishing second overall to Bessette in the USGP in 2005, Simms took one race win in 2005 at San Francisco and is always a threat to win any North American cross race.

Georgia Gould (Luna)-Gould has proven her capabilities as the 2006 US MTB National Champion and has a third place finish at the Watsonville USGP race in 2005.

Anne Knapp (Kona)-- The queen of American cyclocross had a strong showing in the USGP in 2005 finishing second in three of the races. Knapp holds best ever US Elite Women's result at worlds with a 4th in Tabor (Czech Republic) in 2001.

Rhonda Mazza (Team S&M/Vanilla Bicycles)-- With two world championships now under her belt, Rhonda continues to get stronger. A great runner thriving in heavier races, Rhonda is quietly proving to be one of the players in the elite women.

Maureen Bruno-Roy (Independent Fabrication/Wheelworks)- Bruno-Roy had a break through ride at Nationals last year finishing third and her worlds experience will give her an edge as she moves towards 2006.

2006 Gran Prix of Gloucester Race Schedule

Saturday - Gran Prix of Gloucester Race #1:
9:00am - C Men, B Women, B Masters 35+/45+, All Masters 55+; 40 minutes 10:00am - B Men; 45 minutes 11:00am - U19 Juniors, Juniors 15-16; 40 minutes; Juniors 10-14 10 Minutes 12:15pm - A Masters 35+/45+; 45 minutes 1:00pm - Elite warm-up period 2:00pm - Elite Women; 40 minutes 3:00pm - Elite Men/U23; 60 minutes

Sunday - Michelob ULTRA Gran Prix of Gloucester Race #2:
9:00am - C Men, B Women, B Masters 35+/45+, All Masters 55+; 40 minutes 10:00am - B Men; 45 minutes 11:00am - U19 Juniors, Juniors 15-16; 40 minutes; Juniors 10-14 10 Minutes 12:15pm - A Masters 35+/45+; 45 minutes 1:15pm - ECV Kids Race 1:00pm - Elite warm-up period 2:00pm - Elite Women; 40 minutes 3:00pm - Elite Men/U23; 60 minutes

For more information on the Crank Brother US Gran Prix of Cyclocross visit www.usgpcyclocross.com <http://www.usgpcyclocross.com/> .

About the U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross
Teaming with prominent promoters in strong cycling markets and working in conjunction with USA Cycling and the UCI, US Gran Prix of Cyclocross attracts the best riders in North America to the series. For more information visit www.usgpcyclocross.com.