Twenty three national titles are on the line as the 2012 USA Cycling Elite Track National Championships kick off at the Home Depot Center's VELO Sports Center

The event will feature plenty of fun activities for spectators and fans

Colorado Springs, Colo. (September 24, 2012) - Twenty three national titles are on the line as the 2012 USA Cycling Elite Track National Championships kick off this week at the Home Depot Center's VELO Sports Center in Carson, Calif. National titles will also be up for grabs in the para-cycling events.

The event, which is slated for September 27-30, will attract the nation's top track cyclists, including a couple of 2012 Olympians and Paralympians.

OLYMPIANS ON THE ROSTER

Among the big names on the roster is Lauren Tamayo (Asheville, N.C./Exergy TWENTY 12), a member of the silver medal women's team pursuit squad at this summer's Olympic Games in London. Tamayo will lead her own team of ladies in the team pursuit in Carson on Friday. Tamayo will be joined in competition in Carson by fellow 2012 Olympian Bobby Lea (Mertztown, Pa./Pure Energy Cycling-ProAirHFA), who finished 12th in the Olympic men's omnium, and by 2004 and 2008 Olympian Giddeon Massie (Cypress, Calif./Bike Religion)

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPECTATORS

Although not planning to compete at Elite Track Nationals, 2012 Olympians Dotsie Bausch (Lexington, Ky./OUCH Pro Cycling) and Jennie Reed (Kirkland, Wash./OUCH Pro Cycling) will join up with Tamayo and Lea in Carson for a little fan interaction. The foursome will be on hand to sign autographs and take pictures with their fans on Friday and Saturday nights.

In addition to meeting 2012 Olympians, spectators will have the chance to win big in the FELT Cruiser Bike Giveaway on both Friday and Saturday nights!

Fans also have the opportunity to enjoy great food and beverage options from the VELO Sport Center's - Back Door BBQ, and participate in a \"Future Olympian Search,\" which will be held with the goal of identifying young riders who might be a good fit for a track cycling career. To see if you have what it takes to be America's next superstar on the track, stop by the USA Cycling Future Olympic Booth during the Friday or Saturday evening sessions.

STACKED FIELDS AND FULL SCHEDULES

In addition to the Olympians, the fields will be stacked with strong talent like Danny Robertson (Rolling Meadows, Ill./WDT-Allvoi International Cycling Team ), Madalyn Godby (Louisville, Colo./enCompass Racing), and Matthew Baranoski (Perkasie, Pa./Pure Energy Cycling-ProAirHFA ) - all three having just come off very strong performances at Collegiate Track Nationals in Frisco, Texas.

Also on the roster are powerhouse riders like Kevin Mansker (Long Beach, Calif./Rubicon Cycling), Giddeon Massie (Cypress, Calif./Bike Religion), Kimberly Geist (Emmaus, Pa./Chester County Cycling Foundation), Cari Higgins (Boulder, Colo./Exergy Twenty12 ), Jennifer Valente (San Diego, Calif./Exergy TWENTY12), Tela Crane (Sammamish, Wash./Broadmark Capital/Lake Washington Velo), Cristin Walker (Houston, Texas/Momentum Coaching Group p/b Atomic), and so many others!

All in all, 23 elite national titles will be awarded over the four days. View the race schedule.

FOLLOW THE EVENT FROM HOME

You can watch the event LIVE! Just visit www.2012nationals.com during competition to see the live webcast each day.

Additionally, you can follow the event on twitter using hashtag #TrackNats or you can visit www.usacycling.org each night to read the post-race reports.

WANT TO WATCH IN PERSON?

USA Cycling members get $5 off the cost of admission for each session. Just visit the Home Depot Center box office before the event, or the day of, and show your USA Cycling license. You can also show proof of license with the \"My USAC\" app on your iPhone or Android. Purchase your tickets online.

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 comprises 70,000 licensees; 2,500+ clubs and teams; and 34 local associations. The national governing body sanctions 3,000+ competitive and non-competitive events throughout the U.S. each year, manages 17 national championship events and is responsible for fostering the identification, development, and support of American cyclists. To learn more about USA Cycling, visit usacycling.org.