VFGFAMO Media briefing (updated July 4, 2012)

Full event name: Valley First Granfondo Axel Merckx Okanagan When: July 8, 2012 Where: Penticton, BC, Canada – in the heart of the Okanagan Website: www.granfondoaxelmerckx.com

Tell me about the 2012 Valley First Granfondo Axel Merckx Okanagan?

On July 8, 2012, as many as 3,000 cyclists of every skill level – from racer to weekend warrior to novice adventure seeker – will join former Belgian National cycling champion, Axel Merckx for the ultimate cycling experience. Axel will be joined by his father and 5-time champion, – as well as many others – for a 160 km (Granfondo), 92 km (Mediofondo), or 55 km (Cortofondo) ride through the Okanagan’s beautiful hills and valleys.

Beginning and ending in Penticton, British Columbia’s Gyro Park, the 2012 Valley First Granfondo Axel Merckx Okanagan will provide a challenge and a rider experience that is second to none. Along the way, riders will be treated to local delicacies at various aid stations, and a host of exciting guests and celebrities.

The event will feature the following: • Full mechanical and nutritional support throughout the actual ride. • Three distances: Granfondo (160 km), Mediofondo (92 km), and Cortofondo (55 km). • Family event with many activities, including the kids’ Piccolofondo ride and the new Tour Breakfast. • Six (6) full-service aid stations with nutrition and hydration courtesy of Planet Foods (Honey Stinger, Ultima Replenisher, etc.), as well as medical and technical support. • A halfway “Punto Intermedio” Granfondo Aid Station at Le Vieux Pin Winery will have an expanded menu of culinary delights that will power riders to the finish. • Finish line activities including the Tree Brewing Garden, a barbeque, and the Granfondo Wine Tasting, hosted by the Okanagan Wine Festival Society. Maps and course profiles can be found at: http://www.granfondoaxelmerckx.com/event-info/routes

What are the official charities of the Valley First Granfondo Axel Merckx Okanagan?

• Axel Merckx Youth Development Foundation (AMYDF) – a not-for-profit initiative established in 2011 to help develop and steward the future of Canada’s young cyclists. The AMYDF works with national and provincial organizations, such as the Canadian Cycling Association and Cycling BC, to enhance cycling skills through a variety of competitive events, development camps and coaching clinics. (www.amydf.org) • Feed the Valley – a grassroots initiative, in partnership with local food banks, aimed at mobilizing communities to work together to reduce hunger in the Okanagan, Similkameen and Thompson valley regions. Feed the Valley was developed as a corporate citizenship program at Valley First. (www.feedthevalley.ca)

What is a Granfondo (Gran Fondo)?

Granfondos (meaning ‘long distance’ or ‘great endurance’) are long distance, mass- participation cycling events – not races – that have become immensely popular in Europe. In France they’re known as “cyclosportives”. Participation is open to recreational and competitive amateur cyclists, and tens of thousands of riders of all abilities participate.

Granfondos are often named after famous cyclists of the past, or after companies with a long heritage in cycling. Some of the most famous Granfondos include: the Prosecco Classic, the Nove Colli and the Felice Gimondi. And now…the Valley First Granfondo Axel Merckx Okanagan!

How can someone register?

Online registration is now closed. As of Wednesday, July 4, 2012, 100 spots remain and can be purchased at Package Pick-Up (Penticton Trade and Convention Centre) on Friday (July 5) and Saturday (July 6).

What’s the course like?

Riders can expect long stretches of rolling countryside, adjacent to approximately 34 of Canada’s top wineries. Riders can choose from three distances: Granfondo

(160 km), Mediofondo (92 km), and the new Cortofondo (55 km). The official maps and course profiles of the 2nd annual Valley First Granfondo Axel Merckx Okanagan are available at: http://www.granfondoaxelmerckx.com/event-info/routes

Who are the special guests thus far?

Special guests already announced include:

• Eddy Merckx (Axel’s father): This former professional cyclist has been lauded by French magazine Vélo as “the most accomplished rider that cycling has ever known.” Velonews, an American publication, called this Belgian rider the greatest and most successful cyclist of all time. He won both the Tour de France and the Giro d'Italia five times, as well as the Vuelta a Espana. He won the world championship as an amateur and a professional, and broke the world hour record. Several European Granfondos, and a brand of bicycles bear his name.

Who is Axel Merckx?

Axel is a former National Cycling Champion of and Olympic Medalist who now calls the Okanagan home. He has teamed with seasoned event organizers to offer a fabulous experience to all levels and all ages of cycling enthusiasts, to be held on July 10, 2011, in Penticton, British Columbia, Canada.”

Born in 1972 in , Belgium, Axel is the son of five-time Tour de France champion Eddy Merckx. Although proud of his father's exploits, Axel has enjoyed his own superb racing career. Axel began his professional cycling career in 1993 as a member of team Motorola. In addition to two tours of service with Motorola, Axel was a key rider on the Telekom, Polti, , Domo-Farm Frites, Lotto-Domo, Davitamon-Lotto, and T-Mobile squads before retiring in August 2007.

Winner of the 2000 Belgian National Championship, he has participated in eight Tour de France races, finishing as the highest-placed Belgian rider on six occasions. Axel captured a bronze medal at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. Axel's other accomplishments include stage wins in the Giro d'Italia and Dauphine Libere. He has also won the GP Sanson, the Tour de la Region Wallone, the , and the Tour de l'Ain. Axel's final victory came in August 2007 in Lommel, Belgium. Axel married Canadian triathlete Jodi Cross in 1997, and moved to Kelowna, British Columbia, upon his retirement in 2007.

Who are the official event sponsors of the 2012 Valley First Granfondo Axel Merckx Okanagan?

Title sponsor: Valley First (www.valleyfirst.com)

• Trek Bicycle (www.trekbikes.com/ca/en/) • Oakley Canada (http://ca.oakley.com/) • Nissan Canada (www.nissan.ca) • SRAM (www.sram.com) • Tree Brewing Company (http://treebeer.com) • Penticton Wine & Country (www.tourismpenticton.com) • Giordana (www.giordana.com) • Penticton Ramada Inn (www.pentictonramada.com) • Balance Point Coaching (www.balancepointracing.com) • Planet Foods (www.planetfoods.ca) • SunRype (www.sunrype.ca) • GymSkinZ.com (www.GymSkinZ.com) • Le Vieux Pin Winery (www.levieuxpin.ca) • Manning Elliott (www.manningelliott.com)

How can I find out more?

In addition to our monthly newsletter (sign-up at: www.granfondoaxelmerckx.com), there are two other ways to keep up-to-date with the 2012 Valley First Granfondo Axel Merckx Okanagan: 1. Facebook: Become a Fan of ‘Granfondo Axel Merckx’: www.facebook.com/gfaxelmerckx 2. Twitter: @axelsgranfondo

And if you have any questions, e-mail us at: [email protected]. Or visit our website at: www.granfondoaxelmerckx.com.