Souderton, Pa. – Some of the best young cyclists in  North American are coming to the Univest Grand Prix on Sept 11-12 to face a strong contingent of rising international stars and a tough and technical new race course that will test them all in North America’s most prestigious Pro-Am cycling competition.

Ukranians Volodymyr Starchyk and Yuri Metlushenko – winners of the 2009 Souderton and Doylestown races, respectively – and Sweden’s Lucas Euser, the 2008 winner in Souderton are among the top international cyclists returning to challenge a roster of American riders that includes many now in the Top 15 of the USA Cycling National Racing Calendar series.

See tomorrow's Tour de France stars this Saturday at the Univest Grand Prix. Photo by Anthony Schorochod/www.Cycling Captured.com

The weekend kicks off with the redesigned UCI 1.2 class (International Pro-Am) Univest Grand Prix race course in Souderton that includes 11 laps on a 5.8-mile loop over the roller-coaster roads of Souderton, Franconia and Telford followed by five finishing laps on a 3.8-mile course in Souderton. Spectator appeal was at the heart of the course redesign and with its many turns, long straight-away and hilly stretches and the new racing format promises excitement, constant action and a strong winner.

“We are delighted to have Dutch amateur champion Peter van Agtmaal, Swedish amateur champion Tobias Ludvigsson and a very talented and accomplished field led by Australian Rory Sutherland of United Healthcare, and Americans Ben Jacques-Maynes of Bissell Pro Cycling and Scott Zwizanski of Kelly Benefits Strategies – who are all ranked in the top 10 on the National Racing Calendar series,” said race promoter John Eustice, president of Sparta Cycling Inc. “It’s the type of field that will really entertain the fans and demonstrate that the Univest Grand Prix continues to one of the most hard fought and exciting races of the year.”

With 16 laps to choose from, fans will have more opportunities to experience the course from various vantage points, such as the Wile Avenue hill or the Family Fun Zone area at Univest Plaza with its twice-a-lap views of the competition. Spectators will have the opportunity to take shuttles to various points along the course, before returning to the finish line for the dramatic conclusion.
 
This year marks the seventh anniversary of the Doylestown criterium, which offers 50 miles of fast-paced, circuit-style racing on a 1.4-mile course. In addition to the professional race, the Doylestown Business and Community Alliance will once again hold the Doylestown Arts Festival. The race route will showcase the festival by providing spectators and attendees an opportunity to watch the race while enjoying the work of local artists.

Saturday’s road race will be broadcast live on WNPV-1440 AM and on WFMZ-69 television.

For more information, go to www.univestgrandprix.com.