San Francisco Twilight Criterium
Pro Cycling Returns to the 'City by the Bay" September 13th. Inaugural twilight criterium brings the climb of Fillmore back into action in 'Cycling Crazy' San Francisco in this USA Crits race series event.

Fans Will Line Union and Fillmore Streets to Watch Unique Twilight Race
San Francisco’s notorious hills will once again be the highlight of a major professional bicycle race when the San Francisco Twilight Criterium takes place Saturday, Sept. 13. More than 400 of the best male and female cyclists in the country will line up as the sun sets over the Golden Gate Bridge.

“This is the race that San Francisco cycling fans have been waiting for - a world-class, high energy affair that showcases the beauty and thrill of the sport,” said race organizer Ryan Dawkins of Project Sport, LLC. “No city in America offers a more scenic course or a more animated crowd of cheering, cowbell-ringing fans and partygoers.”

The peloton on the Fillmore climb lined by spectators at the 2005 San Francisco Grand Prix. Photos c. Lily Trevisanut

The six-tenths-of-a-mile course around Cow Hollow provides the perfect setting for maximum drama and spectator entertainment. San Francisco’s Union Streets and Fillmore Streets will be transformed, as professional cyclists circle an eight-block course up to 60 times – almost once a minute. The race climbs Buchanan and does a fast plunge down Fillmore Street (a climb made famous, or infamous for its leg punishing steeps in the San Francisco Grand Prix.) technically tricky corners and a false flat around the final turn means fantastic viewing points on almost every corner.

The star cyclists in the peloton – Olympians, national champions, and USA Crit series leaders will be called to the line first and set the scene for an adrenalin laced evening. An athlete village will offer the opportunity for fans to walk up to the riders and get autographs minutes before the races - something virtually unheard of in other professional sports.

2002 SFGP -  Gerolsteiner riders leads on the Fillmore.
Photos c. Lily Trevisanut

“We are very pleased to host this exciting race after the incredible display of athleticism and sportsmanship at the Beijing Olympics,” said Mayor Gavin Newsom. “It is very important to support an event like this, which allows members of our local community to compete against the best professional racers in the country, and inspires our youngest to participate in sports and group activities.”

One of the evening’s highlights will be the kids race at 6 p.m. for ages three to 12.  Children are invited to sign up that night to race, either a short stretch of the course (ages three to six) or a few laps of the course (ages seven to 12).  The event is free and all children will earn a prize.

A rider suffers on the final 20 meters of the Fillmore.
Photos c. Lily Trevisanut

The San Francisco Twilight Criterium is the 10th race in an annual, national race series called USA CRITS, which has brought criterium racing into the national spotlight. With the last chance for overall contenders to make a move for the final podium in Las Vegas later this month, team strategy and risk-taking in San Francisco promises to be on display.

For more information on the San Francisco Twilight Criterium, visit www.sftwilight.com.

2002 San Francisco Grand Prix Report & Photos

USA CRITS 2008 Series (races remaining):
San Francisco Twilight Criterium - San Francisco, CA 9/13
USA CRITS Championship Final - Las Vegas, NV - 9/25

About the San Francisco Twilight Criterium - The San Francisco Twilight Criterium signals the return of professional cycling to San Francisco, Calif. with a criterium race circling an eight-block stretch of the popular neighborhood of Cow Hollow, a stone’s throw from the Golden Gate Bridge. Professional women race at 6:40 p.m. and men at 8 p.m. The event is free, and includes kids’ races and a pro athlete village where spectators can collect signatures of their favorite racers. The San Francisco Twilight Criterium is part of the USA CRITS series and owned by Project Sport, LLC, in San Francisco.

About Project Sport, LLC - Project Sport, based in San Francisco, is a specialized sports management and marketing firm focusing on the running and cycling community. They own and operate numerous events including the US Race Series, Carrera de San Rafael and the San Francisco Twilight Criterium, and over the last seven years, have produced events in Atlanta, Napa Valley, Colorado, San Francisco & Idaho. Project Sport also manages the McGuire Cycling Team.  For more information, visit www.projectsport.com.

About USA CRITS - USA CRITS National Criterium Series has been developed to feature a brand of cycling unique to the United States, the criterium. Criteriums are historically run on short laps through city streets. They offer spectators the opportunity to watch Olympians, world and national champions up-close as they ride at top speed. This has made the criterium format the most spectator-friendly form of cycling entertainment. Events on the USA CRITS series have the ideals that have made criterium racing an American legacy: Challenging courses that showcase arts and entertainment districts; a large and energized base of spectators; broad community support; and strong marketing opportunities for sponsors. For more information, visit www.usacrits.com.

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