2008 iowa cup

It’s a new year and the road racing season in Iowa begins in earnest in less than 60 days. CyclingUpdate.com is excited to announce the re-vamped CyclingUpdate.com Iowa Cup for 2008. The rules have changed, the races have changed, and the competition will be more exciting than ever. So, listen up!

First and foremost, the races for 2008:
Altoona Road Race (April 5)
Big Creek Road Race (April 6)

Iowa City Road Race (April 26)
Old Capitol Criterium (April 27)

Snake Alley Criterium (May 24)
Melon City Criterium (May 25)

Mason City Criterium (July 12)
Clear Lake Road Race (July 13)

--The first thing you’ll notice; there are fewer races. That’s true. However, the spread of races on the calendar still provide a season-long test of rider’s fitness and stamina. The races themselves focus our attention on some of the biggest weekends of racing here in Iowa. These weekends are always well attended and hotly contested, and the Iowa Cup just turns up the volume on some already intense weekends. The State Championship races have been removed from the Iowa Cup, not because they’re not great races, but because their importance is intrinsic. They stand for themselves.
--Also, the point structure has been changed slightly to remove the bonus for finishing first overall in an individual race. Winning is everyone’s goal, but this contest is about Iowans racing Iowans. Plus, we’re cyclists not mathematicians. This means that the point breakdown for each race will be:
1st Iowan - 10 points
2nd - 7 points
3rd - 5 points
4th - 4 points
5th - 3 points
--A new addition this year will be a Women’s-Category 4 competition. This will category will supplement the Women’s Open competition that has always been a part of the Iowa Cup. Womens’ cycling is growing here in Iowa, and it is the hope that this new category in the Iowa Cup will help those new to the sport enjoy the thrill of a season-long struggle to come out on top. The other categories for the Iowa Cup will remain the same as the previous two seasons, and so all categories will be:
Category 1/2
Women’s Open
Category 3
Category 4/5
Women’s Category 4
Masters 40+
Masters 50+
--The leader of the Category 1/2 competition will be awarded a ceremonial green jersey following the completion of each Iowa Cup race. It promises to be even more chic than the photo above.
--Good luck, everyone! [from cyclingupdate.com]