CARSON, CALIF. (October 2, 2013) – The best cyclists in the United States and around the world will descend upon Los Angeles for the Los Angeles Grand Prix at the VELO Sports Center on November 22-24. The UCI Class 1 event serves as an opportunity for world-class cyclists from the United States, Canada, France, Mexico and others to earn points for upcoming World Cup events this season. The last UCI events held in the U.S. were the 2006-08 UCI World Cups, and 2005 UCI World Championships—all also held at the VELO Sports Center. The competition will also serve as the 2013 U.S. Paralympics Track Cycling National Championships.

Tickets for the LA Grand Prix go on-sale on Monday, Oct. 7th. Tickets are available at www.stubhubcenter.com. Tickets for groups of ten or more may be purchased by calling 1-877-234-8425.

“I am ecstatic to bring the world’s best cyclists back to the VELO Sports Center,” said Adam Duvendeck VELO Sports Center Manager and two-time Olympic cyclist. “I remember how large the crowds were when I competed here as an athlete representing the U.S. in the UCI World Cups a few years back, and I can't wait to see that energy from a packed arena return to the VELO Sports Center two months from now.”

Among the racers returning to LA for the LA Grand Prix is 6-Time World Champion, 2-Time Olympian, and Double Olympic Silver Medalist in London, Sarah Hammer. Born in Redondo Beach and raised in Temecula, Hammer will be competing in front of friends and family at a very familiar track and location.

“It’s exciting for the city of Los Angeles and also our country to have a world class UCI event back in the United States,” says USA Cycling Track Endurance Director Ben Sharp. “To come to our premiere venue in Carson, and be able to show off our nation’s talent to the rest of the world is a great opportunity.”

In addition to the international competition, an exciting part of the LA Grand Prix will be the inclusion of the 2013 U.S. Paralympics Track Cycling National Championships, and the conclusion of USA Cycling National Track Calendar series.

“I think it’s exciting that we’re able to host nationals here for our paracyclists at an integrated event,” said Ian Lawless, cycling high performance director, U.S Paralympics. “We have athletes with and without disabilities competing at the same event, at the same venue, in front of the same fans. We think that’s a great way to showcase the abilities of our athletes. It is a world-class track. It’s great for us to select future national teams from the results of this event, and crown national champions at the same time. So it should be pretty exciting.”

Notable Paralympic cyclists who are expected to compete include Greta Neimanas, who won a world title at the same venue in a scratch race in 2012; Allison Jones, who won gold and bronze at the London 2012 Paralympic Games; Jennifer Schuble who won silver and bronze in London and silver at the 2012 track worlds; Joe Benenyi, who also won gold in London; and tandem cyclists Clark Rachfal and pilot Dave Swanson, among many others.

“The L.A. velodrome is the best in the United States, so I am very excited for nationals” said Jennifer Schuble. “My goal is to bring back a couple stars-and-stripes jerseys and to hit the national team standards. Not only will I be entering the Paralympic events, but also the UCI races, so I will be doing double duty.”

The LA Grand Prix promises to be memorable three days, but it goes beyond the entertainment from the elite athletes. The event is has a specific focus on young riders, young athletes and the growth of the sport of cycling.

About The VELO Sports Center
The VELO Sports Center is the only-permanent, indoor, world-class velodrome in the United States. It is located at StubHub! Center in Carson, CA, and is owned and operated by AEG. The 250m track, steeply banked at 45 degrees, is an Official US Olympic and Paralympic Training Site and training site for USA Cycling’s national track cycling program. The VELO Sports Center is committed to the growth of cycling both locally and nationally. It is open for all ages and ability levels to try, and to train. Visit velosportscenter.com to learn more.

About StubHub Center
StubHub Center is Southern California’s home of world-class competition and training facilities for amateur, Olympic, collegiate and professional athletes. Managed by AEG Facilities, the $150 million, privately financed facility was developed by AEG on a 125-acre site on the campus of California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) in Carson, California. StubHub Center features an 8,000-seat tennis stadium, a 27,000-seat stadium for soccer, football and other athletic competitions and outdoor concerts; a 2,000-seat facility for track & field and a 2,450-seat indoor Velodrome – the VELO Sports Center – for track cycling. StubHub Center is home to two Major League Soccer teams, the two-time defending MLS Cup Champion LA Galaxy and Chivas USA. StubHub Center is also home of the United States Tennis Association’s (USTA) High Performance Training Center, the national team training headquarters for the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) and Athletes’ Performance, an international training center for elite and professional athletes.

Contacts:

StubHub Center / LA Galaxy
Brendan Hannan
(310) 630-2245
bhannan@lagalaxy.com

U.S. Paralympics
Beth Bourgeois
(719)866-2039
beth.bourgeois@usoc.org