Pro Cyclists Show Their Support for Scotts Valley Grand Prix

With almost two months to go until the Scotts Valley Grand Prix returns for a second year, pro cyclists and cycling enthusiasts descended on the city to show their support for the race on Wednesday night.

Syzygy Sports Group, which is putting on the race, the Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce and Bruno’s Barbeque co-hosted a pre-race presentation to give an overview of the race and discuss the potential benefits it will have for Scotts Valley and Santa Cruz County.

Last year’s race brought 300 riders and approximately 500 spectators to the area, and Syzygy CEO Mark Davis said he estimates close to 500 riders and 2,000 spectators this year.

“It should be a great day for cycling,” Davis said. “But it’s not just about a bicycle race. It’s an opportunity for the city to grow and an opportunity to raise awareness for cycling in general.”

Davis said he decided to start the race mainly because the Tour of California, which passed through Santa Cruz last year, didn’t have a women’s race.

“I wanted to see women get their fare share,” he said, adding that he thinks women’s racing is more exciting, because it’s often not as calculating as men’s racing.

The criterium race, meaning it is held on a short course, will consist of a 1-mile loop through Scotts Valley, beginning on Scotts Valley Drive to El Pueblo Drive, Carbonero Way then back to Scotts Valley Drive.

Eleven races will take place throughout the day, featuring professional men and women, elite men and women and juniors.

Freddie Rodriguez, a three-time winner of the U.S. Pro Cycling Championship, was in Scotts Valley to offer his support to Davis and the race.

“I’m really excited to be a part of this race,” said Rodriguez, who plans to compete in the race and bring some of the junior racers he works with to compete as well.

Scotts Valley resident and pro cyclist Jen Reither, who races with the Vanderkitten pro women’s cycling team, raced in last year’s inaugural race and said she will race again this year, along with eight of her teammates.

“I’m very excited to get involved in this event especially because it’s my home town,” said Reither, who along with some of her teammates, was at Wednesday’s event.

In addition to the race, which Davis says he hopes turns into a marquee event, a festival run by the Chamber is planned for the day and will include food and other vendors and a beer garden. The Kid’s Zone will have numerous activities to keep the little ones busy, including rock climbing, a bounce house, helmet and bicycle safety lessons, music and face painting. A kid’s bicycle race is also planned for the day.

“We’re really excited to get involved,” said Sharolynn Ullestad, executive director of the Chamber. “We believe the more people you bring into Scotts Valley, the more people will come back. We want people to stop, instead of passing by on the highway. We truly believe this Grand Prix will do that.”

Kieran Cox, founder of Full Throttle Software and a cyclist, competed in last year’s race and is working with Davis to set up a live Internet broadcast of the race. He also plans to race again this year, because he said he was extremely impressed with how the race was run last year.

“Bike races usually start off small,” Cox said. “But this one started off with a bang. I’d really like to see it be a staple in Scott Valley.”

Cox praised the way the course was laid out and how traffic was controlled. The race also had no crashes, which Cox said is nearly unprecedented for a race of this caliber.

“It was just super safe. I can’t stress that enough,” Cox said. “Criterium races are quite dangerous. It’s the Grand Prix of bike racing and people usually come out to see the crashes. I don’t think there was another race on the whole calendar last year that didn’t have a crash.”

The Scotts Valley Grand Prix is on May 15; races start at 1 p.m. The kid’s zone is open from 3:30-7 p.m. Volunteers are needed for the day of the event. For more information, visit scottsvalleygrandprix.com.