GREENVILLE, S.C. (August 20, 2009) – Race organizers confirmed today that three-time U.S. Pro Time Trial Champion David Zabriskie (Garmin-Slipstream), and two-time U.S. Pro Road Race Champion George Hincapie (Team Columbia-HTC) will be among the star-studded fields for the Greenville Hospital System USA Cycling Professional Championships, to be held August 29-30, 2009. Other top pro cyclists who have confirmed are Craig Lewis (Team Columbia-HTC), Christian Vande Velde (Garmin-Slipstream), Danny Pate (Garmin-Slipstream), Tom Danielson (Garmin-Slipstream), Tom Zirbel (Team Bissell), John Murphy (OUCH presented by Maxxis), Floyd Landis (OUCH presented by Maxxis) and Brent Bookwalter (BMC Racing Team).

More than 100 professional cyclists are expected in Greenville to compete for both the Individual Time Trial and Road Race Championships. And more than 30 elite handcyclists will compete in a Time Trial and Criterium, for the finale of the 2009 US Handcycling Series, presented by Paralyzed Veterans of America. Many of the top handcyclists are U.S. military veterans who were recently injured in Iraq and Afghanistan, including Joe Beimfohr, of Winchester, Tenn., and Latseen Benson, Washington, D.C. Also competing will be 2008 Paralympian Matt Updike of Denver, Colo, and two-time World Champion Scott McNeice of St. Petersburg, Fla.

“We anticipate crowds of over 50,000 for both days of racing and spectator events here in Greenville. People should expect some competitive events, with some of the best cyclists and handcyclists in the world. It’s great to have George Hincapie in his hometown, especially after suffering a broken collar bone just a few weeks ago in the Tour de France. The City of Greenville and Greenville County have done a fabulous job to host this event for a fourth year. If you haven’t been out before, don’t miss it,” said Chris Aronhalt, Managing Partner of Medalist Sports, the company that produces the Greenville Hospital System USA Cycling Professional Championships.

On Saturday, Aug. 29, the 20.7-mile Professional Individual Time Trial Championship, presented by Duke Energy, will return to the Clemson University-International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR). This 20.7-mile race against the clock will begin at 11:30 a.m. The USA Cycling Professional Road Race championship will take place on Sunday, August 30, beginning at 1:00 p.m. in downtown Greenville. Over 100 competitors will battle on a 110-mile course, won last year by Boulder, Colorado resident Tyler Hamilton (Rock Racing). Hamilton retired earlier this year, leaving the Stars and Stripes Jersey up for grabs. This is the 25th anniversary of the one-day road race championship. Past winners include speed skating Olympic champion Eric Heiden (1985), Lance Armstrong (1993), Hincapie (1998, 2006) and Freddie Rodriguez (2000, 2001, 2004).

Salt Lake City, Utah native Zabriskie returns in search of a fourth consecutive title in the ITT; he’s never lost in Greenville. He’ll have plenty of challengers this year. 2009 second place finisher Zirbel, who was just five seconds behind Zabriskie, has been riding consistently well and is the USA Cycling National Racing Calendar individual points leader (through Aug 10, 2009). And three Garmin-Slipstream teammates return who will look for the top spot on the podium, Vande Velde (3rd in 2008), Steven Cozza (4th in 2008) and Danielson (5th in 2008). Danielson just won the individual time trial at Vuelta a Burgos in Spain, and youngster Brent Bookwalter, who lives in Chattanooga, Tenn., just won the prologue at the Tour of Utah.

In the U.S. Pro Road Race Championship, Hincapie is the local favorite and is looking to add a third Stars and Stripes jersey to his collection. He is recovering from a broken collarbone that occurred at the Tour de France, but is healing quickly. With the retirement of Hamilton, and second place finisher Blake Caldwell recovering from a spring injury, all three podium spots are wide open. Seven of the Top 10 from last year’s road race are coming back, including Hincapie’s teammate Lewis. Murphy, who lives in Athens, Ga., did not finish last year’s road race, but this year he is coming off a win at the U.S. National Criterium Championship.

New for 2009, the dual championships will also host two races for the U.S. Handcycling Series, presented by the Paralyzed Veterans of America. The handcycling races will feature 10 disabled veterans, including five who were injured in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Time Trial will begin at 8:30 a.m at CU-ICAR and the Criterium will begin at 1:35 p.m. from South Main and Camperdown in the West End.

“Greenville, GHS, and USA Cycling are really setting the bar for integrated cycling by including a handcycling race…it’s a great way to showcase the athleticism of our paralyzed veterans and Paralympic cyclists,” said Ian Lawless, Executive Director at U.S. Handcycling.

The final fields for both the Individual Time Trial and the Road Race will be posted on the event website on race weekend. Professionals will compete for prize money, and more importantly, the right to wear prestigious Stars-and-Stripes jerseys for the 2010 season. The events are sanctioned by USA Cycling, Inc., the governing body for the sport of cycling in the United States, and managed by Medalist Sports.

In addition to the dual championships, there is a full schedule of activities and events for the weekend in Greenville. The Stars and Stripes Challenge, fundraiser bicycle ride for cancer research, has engaged thousands of recreational cyclists and raised over $400,000 for GHS’ Oncology Research Insitute and Lance Armstrong Foundation. A Health & Wellness Expo will be part of the Sunday festivities with the Road Race, taking place along Main Street from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. And for children and families, there are two free bicycle events on Sunday, the Family Fun Ride (10 a.m. Falls Park) and the Duke Energy Kid’s Races (11am – 1pm registration in Expo).

For more information about the event including maps, spectator tips, volunteer opportunities and hospitality tickets, visit www.usacyclingchampionships.com, or follow at www.twitter.com/usacpro.

See Pro Rider Bios below.

ABOUT MEDALIST SPORTS
Medalist Sports is a full-service international sports marketing company. Medalist Sports specializes in the planning, promotion and management of multi-day, multi-jurisdiction sports and special events. The Medalist Sports team has experience in all facets of the successful management and promotion of world-class sporting and cycling events in the United States, England, Australia and China. Clients and event experience include the Tour DuPont, Tour de Georgia presented by AT&T, Amgen Tour of California, Tour of Missouri, USA Cycling, Inc. and the Lance Armstrong Foundation’s LIVESTRONG Challenge Series. Medalist Sports’ headquarters are located south of metro Atlanta at P.O. Box 415, Tyrone, GA 30290. The company website is www.medalistsports.com.

ABOUT GREENVILLE HOSPITAL SYSTEM
Greenville Hospital System is one of the Southeast’s leading healthcare providers, nationally recognized for advanced technology, innovative research and teaching excellence. The system’s five campuses include a Level I trauma center, three acute-care hospitals and numerous outpatient facilities. GHS’ Cancer Center offers the region’s broadest array of cancer specialists, many working through the Oncology Multidisciplinary Center. This multidisciplinary approach to the effective management of cancer allows patients to meet with a medical oncologist, radiation oncologist and surgical oncologist to receive a comprehensive treatment plan all in one day. More information is available at www.ghs.org.

ABOUT PALMETTO PELOTON PROJECT
The Palmetto Peloton Project (P3), based in Greenville, S.C., exists to promote the advancement of cancer research and advocacy efforts locally, regionally and nationally through fundraising cycling events. Through support from local businesses and enthusiastic cyclists, the Palmetto Peloton Project has raised over $400,000 for cancer research and advocacy since its inception in 2005. In 2009 as part of the Greenville Hospital System USA Cycling Professional Championships, P3 will host the “Stars and Stripes Challenge” for a fourth year, a recreational cycling event to support local cancer research. For more information, visit www.palmettopelotonproject.org.

ABOUT USA CYCLING
Recognized by the United States Olympic Committee and the Union Cycliste Internationale, USA Cycling is the official governing body for all disciplines of competitive cycling in the United States, including road, track, mountain bike, BMX, and cyclo-cross. As a membership-based organization, USA Cycling consists of 64,000+ licensees including 1,500 coaches, 4,000 student-athletes, 2,200 officials, 1,800 clubs and teams, 350 professional cyclists, 200 certified mechanics, and 34 local associations. The national governing body sanctions 2,500 competitive and non-competitive events throughout the U.S. each year and is responsible for the identification, development, and support of American cyclists through various initiatives and programs. Additionally, USA Cycling conducts national championship events for all categories of amateur and professional cycling. To learn more about USA Cycling, visit www.usacycling.org.

ABOUT U.S. HANDCYCLING
United States Handcycling Federation, is an association of individuals and organizations that creates integrated cycling opportunities for wheelchair users and athletes with lower-mobility impairments, including disabled veterans and members of the U.S. Armed Forces. The U.S Handcycling Series, presented by the Paralyzed Veteran’s of America, is the premier Para-Cycling racing series in North America and will feature more than 150 of the World’s top cyclists with disabilities, racing at major – integrated – cycling events across America. Shining the spotlight on the elite athleticism of Paralympic cyclists, this series focuses on the “ability” rather than the “disability” of its participants, most notably disabled veterans. Visit www.ushf.org.

RIDERS TO WATCH
BOOKWALTER (BMC Racing Team)
• Professional since 2005; 25 years old; resides in Chattanooga, Tenn.
• 2009: 1st Prologue Tour of Utah ; 2nd Overall Tour of Elk Grove
• 2008: 2nd Stage 5 Tour of Utah (ITT); 1st Overall Ronde Van Brisbane
• 2006: 1st U-23 National Time Trial Championship

DANIELSON (Garmin/Slipstream)
• Professional since 1999; 31 years old; resides in Durango, Colo.
• 2009: 1st ITT Vuelta a Burgos; 1st Mt Evans Hill Climb
• 2008: 5th Overall Amgen Tour of California; 5th US Pro National Time Trial Championship
• 2006: 2nd Overall Tour de Georgia; 6th Overall Vuelta a Espana

HINCAPIE (Columbia-HTC)
• Professional since 1994; 36 years old; resides in Greenville, S.C.
• 2009: 19th Overall Tour de France (completed 14th Tour de France)
• 2008: only five-time Olympic Games cyclist in U.S. history (1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008); 1st Stage 7 Amgen Tour of California; 1st Stage 2 Dauphiné Libéré
• 2007: 1st Overall Tour of Missouri
• Two-time U.S. Pro National Road Champion (1998 & 2006); second in 2007

LANDIS (OUCH presented by Maxxis)
• Professional since 1999; 33 years old; resides in Murrieta, Calif.
• 2009: returns to pro cycling after two-year suspension
• 2006: NRC Individual Pts Champion; 1st Overall, Amgen Tour of California; 1st Overall, Tour de Georgia; 1st Overall, Paris-Nice
• 2005: 3rd Overall, Tour de Georgia
• 2004: 1st Overall, Volta a Algarve; 1st Team Time Trial, Tour de France; 1st Team Time Trial, Vuelta a España

LEWIS (Columbia-HTC)
• Professional since 2004; 24 years old; resides in Moore, S.C.
• 2007: 6th overall Tour of Ireland; 7th overall Tour de l’Avenir; member U-23 World Championship Road Team
• 2006: 1st, U-23 National Road Race; 1st, U-23 Criterium Championship

MURPHY (OUCH presented by Maxxis)
• Professional since 2007; 24 years old; resides in Athens, Ga.
• 2009: 1st place, U.S. National Criterium Champion
• 2008: 1st Overall, Tour of Taiwan; 2nd Overall, Nature Valley Grand Prix; 5th NRC Individual Points Competition

PATE (Garmin/Slipstream)
• Professional since 2000; 30 years old; resides in Colorado Springs, Colo.
• 2009: 2nd, Stage 4 ITT Vuelta a Burgos; 3rd, Critérium International
• 2008: 3rd, US Pro National Road Championship; 3rd1st Stage 1 TTT and 6th Stage 21 ITT, Giro d’Italia
• 2007: 1st, Stage 5 Tour of Missouri
• 2006:3rd, USPRO Road Race Championship

VANDE VELDE (Garmin/Slipstream)
• Professional since 1998; 33 years old; resides in Lemont, Ill.
• 2009: 1st, Stage 4, Paris-Nice; 3rd, Stage 4 Vuelta al País Vasco; 8th Overall, Tour de France
• 2008: 5th overall Tour de France; 1st Stage 1 Team Time Trial, Giro d’Italia; 1st Overall Tour of Missouri; 3rd Overall Amgen Tour of California; 3rd, US Pro National Time Trial Championship
• 2007: 2nd overall Tour de Georgia

ZABRISKIE (Garmin/Slipstream)
• Professional since 2001; 30 years old; resides in Salt Lake City, UT
• 2009: 2nd Overall, Amgen Tour of California; 3rd Overall, Vuelta a Castilla y León
• 2008: 1st, US Pro National Time Trial Championship; Tour de Georgia, 1st stage 4 TTT; Giro d’Italia, 1st stage 1 TTT; Tour of Bahamas, 1st prologue and 1st, stage 1 time trial; Criterium International, 5th stage 3 ITT
• 2007: 1st, US Pro National Time Trial Championship
• 2006: Silver medalist, World Time Trial Championship; 1st, US Pro National Time Trial Championship
• 2005 wore yellow jersey at Tour de France

ZIRBEL (Team Bissell)
• Professional since 2006; 30 years old; resides in Boulder, Colo.
• Current leader, NRC individual points
• 2009: 1st place, Meijer Grand Cycling Classic; 2nd place, Nature Valley Grand Prix, Overall; 2nd place, Redlands Bicycle Classic, Overall
• 2008: 2nd overall US National Time Trial; 1st place, Tour of Utah, Stage 5; 1st place, Tour of the Gila, Stage 3