From a press release issued by Infineon Raceway:

2nd Annual Sonoma Valley Cyclocross Comes to Infineon Raceway, Nov. 27

SONOMA, Calif. (IMMEDIATE RELEASE) – The steeplechase of cycling will invade Infineon Raceway for the second consecutive year on Saturday, Nov. 27, with the 2nd annual Sonoma Valley Cyclocross.

Cyclocross is the latest cycling rage: a hybrid of mountain biking, road biking and running all in one race. Infineon Raceway Cycling/Napa Valley Velo will host the event, which will be sanctioned by USA Cycling, the largest cycling sanctioning body in the country.

The 1.5-mile temporary course at Infineon Raceway will be laid out behind Turn 2 and will include a variety of terrains and elevations, as well as barriers and stairs. Competitors will race their bikes, as well as dismount and carry them over barriers and up stairs.

Athletes will be faced with a steady flow of obstacles, including tricky turns on dirt, speedy pavement straightaways and a challenging run up four flights of stairs to the Earnhardt Terraces (Turn 2). Lap times are in the 5-7 minute range, and races range from 30 minutes for novices to 60 minutes for professionals. Bicycles are usually road bikes with more powerful brakes, custom gearing and meatier tires.

More than 175 cyclists turned out for the inaugural event last year, with San Anselmo’s Rachel Lloyd and Nevada City’s Jason Moeschler emerging as the winners in the women’s and men’s elite races, respectively. It was the first-ever Cyclocross event held at Infineon Raceway.

The event will span from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., with action in several categories for men and women, based on experience level. Entry fee is $25 and $5 for juniors (ages 14-18). Riders must have a USA Cycling license to compete – a one-day license may be purchased through Infineon Raceway Cycling/Napa Valley Velo on the day of the event. For more information, visit www.napavalleyvelo.org/svcx/. Spectators are free.

A portion of the proceeds from the event will go to the Dillon Family Fund, which benefits Ross Dillon, a Sonoma County cyclist who suffered severe brain injuries as the result of an accident in 2002. Dillon will attend the event on Nov. 27. For more information, visit www.rossdillon.com.

The cycling theme will continue in 2005 at Infineon Raceway with the Infineon Cougar Mountain Classic, slated for Sept. 9-11. The event, which was held for the first time in May as the California Outdoor Sports Championships, will feature various cycling disciplines including: road circuit racing; road criterium racing; mountain bike cross country; mountain bike short track; and gravity disciplines such as mountain cross and downhill racing. For the second straight year, Infineon Raceway will partner with Sea Otter Classic LLC on the event.