Ford Memorial Day Weekend Omnium
Cash omnium offered for amateur categories
(by John Harrington)
May 20, 2016 – Coming this year to the Memorial Day Weekend Bicycle Races is the Ford Memorial Day Weekend Omnium. Riders in the Men’s Cat 3 and Women’s Cat 2/3 will compete in the two-race omnium in Muscatine and Davenport for an equal share of the $1000 prize purse.
Ford has signed on this year to sponsor the new omnium and work to make the racing even more exciting. The Ford Memorial Weekend Omnium will pay out five places in each of the categories, with the winner in each taking home a cool $200 and a Ford Winners Jersey from Mt. Borah.
“Adding a cash omnium for the amateur categories is a unique idea – usually the cash purses are reserved for the professionals, but we want to also offer something for the up-and-coming riders that are looking to make the next step,” said Quad Cities Criterium race director Tom Schuler. “We are thankful to Ford for providing this incentive to the amateur men and women racers and expect this to elevate the level of racing in those categories.”
The omnium format of racing gives points for finish placing in each race, with the winners determined by cumulative points across the two races in Muscatine and Davenport. While riders do not have to race both races to be eligible for the prize, there is a greater chance to place by earning points in both About the Memorial Day Weekend Bike Races
For more than 50 years, Memorial Day Weekend in Eastern Iowa and the Quad Cities has meant bike racing. The weekend begins with road racing on Friday, May 27 in Burlington, IA. The 31st Snake Alley Criterium will challenge riders on its unique course Saturday, May 28. On Sunday, May 29, the 38th Melon City Criterium takes place in Muscatine, IA. The Quad Cities Criterium in Davenport, IA rounds-out the weekend of racing on Memorial Day with its 51st edition.
For more information, visit: www.memorialdayweekendbikeraces.com
