PRESS RELEASE: Now you can experience training camp like the pro riders from the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis. Join Rory Sutherland, new team director Gord Fraser and the rest of the Team for two training rides, sit with the VIPs at the Team presentation and banquet, enjoy a hotel room paid for by the Team, and more. Best of all, you’ll be helping children with healthcare needs at the same time.
Here’s how it works:
From now until January 31, 2010, make a donation to the UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation. The two highest donors will be special guests of the team Saturday, February 13, and Sunday, February 14, the final two days of Team training camp in Scottsdale, Arizona.
What you get
You get the full VIP treatment. The package includes:
- Two nights at the Radisson – McDowell Ranch Resort/Casino.
- Group rides with the Team Saturday and Sunday morning.
- Use and keep one full Team kit, including long and short-sleeve jerseys, one set of bibs, gloves, socks, and more.
- Team apparel package (T-shirt and podium cap).
- VIP seating and acknowledgement at the official Team presentation and banquet, hosted by renowned cycling personality Dave Towle.
- Continental breakfast both mornings.
Winners are responsible for travel to and from the Radisson, and providing their own bicycle for the group rides.
Attend the Team Presentation and Banquet
If you can’t experience the entire Training Camp, you can still attend the official Team Presentation and Banquet in Scottsdale, Arizona on the evening of Saturday, February 13. The Team will be making a limited number of tickets available to the public for a tax-deductible $175 donation to the UHCCF. The entire evening is a fundraising event for the Foundation.
Meet Team riders and staff, and enjoy an inspiring and informative evening hosted by veteran cycling announcer and personality Dave Towle. Your ticket not only includes dinner and the formal Team presentation, but also speeches by Sister Madonna Buder and Dr. George Brooks, as well as a silent auction that includes Team equipment and rides in the Team car at the Tours of California and Missouri.
But don’t wait. Less than 100 tickets will be available to the general public on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets must be purchased by January 31, 2010 at http://www.uhcprocycling.com/forthekids/. As an added bonus, your $175 Banquet ticket also includes participation in the fully-supported, two-hour group ride with the Team’s riders Sunday morning.
About the UHCCF
Your fully tax-deductible donation will go to the UHCCF, a public charity that strives to enhance either the clinical condition or quality of life of children who have health care needs not fully covered by their commercial health benefit plan. UHCCF provides medical grants of up to $5,000 for costs associated with medical services and equipment.
Featured Banquet Speakers
Sister Madonna, who will be 80 in July, is a Roman Catholic nun from Spokane, Washington. However, she is best known as an avid triathlete who has completed over 325 triathlons, including 36 Ironman distances. On, August 30, 2009, Sister Madonna completed Ironman Canada in a time of 16:54:30, becoming the oldest female to complete the Ironman distance – at 79 years old. She intends to be back this year to be the first 80-year-old woman to finish an Ironman.
Dr. Brooks is a professor of Integrative Biology at the University of California, Berkeley. His research focuses on Exercise Physiology and Metabolism, more specifically how the human body uses lactate, fatty acids, carbohydrates and amino acids.
One of the questions being studied in Dr. Brooks’ lab is the role lactic acid plays in the human body during exercise. A working hypothesis to come from his research is the Lactate Shuttle, a mechanism that allows muscles to utilize lactate as fuel when muscles use up its normal source of fuel.
Tentative Training Camp Schedule
Saturday February 13th:
8:15 a.m.: Orientation for the balance of camp – meet in front of Team RV.
8:45 a.m.: Group ride departs; two hours casual pace with support vehicle and team van to SAG
Lunch: free time
2:00 p.m.: Sponsor introductions and Expo
3:00-5:00 p.m. Sponsor presentations
6:30 p.m.: Cocktail reception at banquet facilities
7:30 p.m.: Buffet style dinner
8:00 p.m.: Team Presentation and Speeches
Sunday February 14th:
9:00-9:30 a.m.: Photos with the athletes
9:30 a.m.: two hour ride with riders. Support and sag provided
Noon: Camp ends, guests begin to depart
Banquet Location
Radisson – McDowell Ranch Resort/Casino
10438 N. Fort McDowell Rd.
Scottsdale/Fountain Hills, Arizona 85264
480-789-5300
6:30 p.m.: Cocktail reception at banquet facilities
7:30 p.m.: Buffet-style dinner
8:00 p.m.: Team Presentation and Speeches
