The Nittany Lion Cross  features local and international cycling talent

Lehigh Valley, Pa. (August 19, 2015) – The Nittany Lion Cross, the first two of 10 races in the Mid-Atlantic Cyclocross Series, kicks off in Lehigh Valley September 12 - 13.  This year marks the 10th season for this event. Local and international competitors will compete in a number of skill categories ranging from amateur to professional at the Valley Preferred Cycling Center (VPCC) Cyclocross Course in Trexlertown, Pa.

Cyclocross combines elements of cross-country cycling, mountain biking, and road racing into one exciting package. Fans can take in all the action from the sideline as riders navigate through back woods, slopes, and tight turns.

One of the featured cyclists this year is Adam Myerson, American Cyclocross elder statesman and 2010 Elite Men’s second place finisher.

“It's a very fast race with a lot of technical turns, but a course that encourages group racing,” said Myerson. “It favors me in that regard, and is one of the few courses where I feel capable of racing for the win. Once September comes, I'm 100-percent focused on getting to the best ‘cross’ races I can, so making the trip to the season opener at Nittany only makes sense.”

A talented array of regional racers and international competitors will compete at Nittany, including the U.K.’s , Gabby Day (Neon Velo) and Ian Field (Hargroves Cycles). Swiss Elite riders Lukas Müller, Lukas Winterberg, and Erik Brügner (Philadelphia Cyclocross School), as well as five-time winner and local favorite, Laura Van Gilder (Van Dessel), will join in starting their 2015 - 2016 season at the VPCC.

The VPCC anticipates 1,400 competitors throughout the two-day event.

“Discover Lehigh Valley Sports is once again both excited and proud to support the annual Nittany Lion CX International Cycling Event and its competitors,” says Michael Kuzy, Director of Sports Marketing at Discover Lehigh Valley Sports. “We always look forward to this time of year when this prestigious cycling race returns to Lehigh Valley and the Valley Preferred Cycling Center in Trexlertown.”

The Valley Preferred Cycling Center has welcomed international athletes since its 1975 opening and is home to Olympic, National, and World Champion Marty Nothstein. In addition to their acclaimed professional Friday night track series, The World Series of Bicycling, the VPCC hosts numerous community programs and one of the largest cycling flea markets in the country.

In addition to this year’s event, on Saturday there will be a farmers market in the plaza of the Velodrome featuring local fresh produce, baked goods and live music.

For more information on the Nittany Lion Cross and the Valley Preferred Cycling Center, visit https://www.bikereg.com/8th-annual-nittany-lion-cross-mac-series-race-1-2-also-uci-c2-both-days and www.thevelodrome.com.

About Discover Lehigh Valley Sports

A division of Discover Lehigh Valley, Discover Lehigh Valley Sports represents the region in the national and international sports marketplace. It has been bringing sporting events to the area for more than thirteen years and serves as the primary resource for procuring and planning sporting events in Lehigh Valley. Discover Lehigh Valley Sports is a nonprofit organization funded by public and private grants, individual donations and corporate sponsorships.  For more information, visit www.DiscoverLehighValleySports.com.

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Media Contacts:

Kaitie Burger, Discover Lehigh Valley

610-882-9200 or kaitie@DiscoverLehighValley.com