Intelligentsia Cup to feature Chicagoland-focused venues for 2014
CHICAGO — For the second year in-a-row the nation’s premiere coffee roaster, Intelligentsia Coffee, is the title sponsor of Chicago’s premiere cycling series the Intelligentsia Cup Prairie State Cycling Series.
Started in 2012 with one race the series grew exponentially in 2013, thanks to the addition of Intelligentsia’s sponsorship, to feature seven venues across northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. The series consisted of a road race and six criterium races. For 2014 the series focuses on the Chicagoland metro area, home to Intelligentsia Coffee, with a mix of new and returning venues that feature a wide variety of racing courses.
Intelligentsia founder and CEO Doug Zell, himself a seasoned racer, explains his decision to sponsor the series.
“Adding new venues on the way to making this the most attended pro and amateur cycling series in the US, we couldn’t be more happy. In our second year as the sponsor of the Intelligentsia Cup we are well on our way to that goal in a series that will highlight all levels of racing in and around Chicago.”
Prairie State Cycling Series partner Tom Schuler, a former US national cycling champion, says that Chicago’s rich history of bike racing makes it a prime location for a large series that will attract both amateur and professional cyclists from around the region as well as from across the country, and that the continuation of Intelligentsia’s sponsorship will ensure a quality experience for everyone at the events.
“With Intelligentsia’s support and investment in the Prairie State Cycling Series and cycling in general, we feel very fortunate to be able to emulate Intelligentsia’s commitment to the highest possible standards while producing our series of bike races throughout Chicagoland this summer. A cyclist’s experience at our events will be greatly enhanced by Doug Zell’s continuing commitment to the Intelligentsia Cup and for that we are extremely grateful.”
The series will run July 18-27, 2014 and feature category racing from beginning racers to seasoned elite amateurs, culminating at the end of each day with the featured professional men’s and women’s races. Each venue will also feature its own local event, ranging from kids races to family fun rides.
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About Prairie State Cycling Series
The Intelligentsia Cup Prairie State Cycling Series is a competitive bicycle race series in the Chicago metro area, featuring top-level professional and elite amateur athletes. Each race venue includes exciting racing complemented by healthy and fun family activities, a lifestyle expo, as well as food and beverage from local vendors. For the complete schedule, please visit: www.PrairieStateCyclingSeries.com.
About Intelligentsia Coffee
Founded in 1995, Intelligentsia is a coffee roasting company and retailer headquartered in Chicago. Beans are purchased direct from growers in Central and South America, East Africa, and Ethiopia. Intelligentsia’s buying team cumulatively spends over 365 days each year at source. Insights, practices and expertise in preparation and processing garnered from their work around the globe are applied to each of Intelligentsia’s exclusive Direct Trade coffees.
For more information, please contact:
Mark Zalewski
Marketing Director
Ph: 630.890.0209
mark@intelligentsiacup.com
Marco Colbert
Executive Director
Ph: 847.644.0277
marco@intelligentsiacup.com