CD&P Bermuda Grand Prix 2004

Saturday, January 31, 2004

HAMILTON, Bermuda:  The Bermuda Bicycle Association (BBA) has announced the return of the CD&P Bermuda Grand Prix in September 2004.

Dannielle Bezant, president of the BBA, said, "We are delighted to confirm that the title sponsor of Bermuda's largest professional sporting event, the Bermuda Grand Prix continues to be Conyers Dill & Pearman. Their support in 2004 represents the seventh consecutive year that the firm has taken this leading role in an event that benefits local cyclists as well as promotes Bermuda as a destination for tourism as well as sporting events. Without the support of the partners and management of CD&P it would not be possible to for the BBA to host this event. I would particularly like to thank Mr. Ross Webber for his personal efforts in making this a successful demonstration of Bermuda's sporting capabilities."

Mr. Webber commented, "There are not many Bermuda based sporting events that attract the cream of the international crop to come to our island and compete. This CD&P Bermuda Grand Prix has become widely established, well respected and eagerly anticipated on the international cycling calendar and is a great advertisement for Bermuda. 

"Similarly, there are not that many Bermuda based sporting events where the sponsor/organiser relationship has lasted long enough to associate the two. We are very pleased that, for many years now, the name of our firm is associated with this event."

The 2004 CD&P Bermuda Grand Prix will be held from September 23rd to the 26th on the roads of Bermuda. Utilizing a similar format as prior years, professional and amateur cyclists will compete over four days and include two criteriums, a time trial and a road race. It is anticipated that there will be approximately 120 professional riders in addition to overseas and local amateurs. The total prize money for the event will be $12,000 plus primes in the Classic Criterium, in which riders race a technically tough course in Hamilton for sprint bonuses as well as overall prizes.

Ms. Bezant added, "In 2004 our event will be enhanced by being the finale of the newly formed Women's Prestige Cycling Series (WPCS - see related article below). In its inaugural year the series will include four events which are distributed through the North American cycling season. The other events are Redlands Bicycle Classic in March, Nature Valley GP in June, and the Tour de 'Toona in late July. In each of these three races cyclists will be vying for the top ten team spots who will be invited to contest the finale in Bermuda. In addition to expanding the number of professional women participating in our event, being a part of the WPCS will bring Bermuda a significant amount of publicity in North America. Also, it will provide a fantastic venue for showcasing the abilities of our local elite women riders."

Melanie Claude, one of Bermuda's top female cyclists, commented, "This is a rare opportunity for cyclists like myself to compete with the top North American athletes on our own soil. The depth of the field and overall level of competition this year will be greater than ever and I will be working hard to put on a good showing at the CD&P Bermuda Grand Prix."

The CD&P Bermuda Grand Prix is being organized by Peter Dunne. In addition to the support of the members and executive of the Bermuda Bicycle Association the event relies upon the generous support of the Bermuda community for sponsorship, logistics, housing and transportation of participating professionals, hosting social events and the numerous other services required to put on an event of this size.

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