Univest In The News
9th Annual Univest Grand Prix Partners With WFMZ-69 For Live Television Broadcast
Live Broadcast on September 9 from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. to Showcase International Professional Cycling Race and Weekend of Community Activities
SOUDERTON, Pa, August 7, 2006 – Univest Corporation and Sparta Cycling, Inc. today announced a broadcast partnership with WFMZ of Allentown, Pa., including a live, three-hour television program that will bring North America’s Pro Classic to television screens across Eastern Pennsylvania, internet users world-wide, and spectators at the race on Saturday, September 9 in Souderton. In addition to live TV, the professional men will race over an expanded course on Saturday covering four new municipalities including Hatfield, Towamencin, Upper Gwynedd and Lansdale. On Sunday, September 10, the Univest Grand Prix will return to Doylestown, Pa. for a flat, fast-circuit race in the center of town.
Hosted by nine-time Tour de France competitor Frankie Andreu, the live broadcast on WFMZ-69 will begin at 12:00 noon with live action on the race course until the finish around 2:45 p.m. Spectators in Souderton race day will be able to follow the action from start to finish on large jumbotron televisions that will be visible from the downtown area. A world-wide audience will also be able to tune in for the action at www.wfmz.com.
“Live television is the essence of sport in the modern world,” said race promoter and president of Sparta Cycling Inc., John Eustice. “In today's fast moving media environment, fans want to see the action as it happens - they don't want to wait."
The international field of professional teams – with athletes scheduled to come from Holland, Germany, Canada, Belgium, Poland, Hong Kong, Colombia, Mexico and others in addition to teams from America’s professional class – will compete on the challenging course that covers 107-miles and 18 municipalities throughout Montgomery and Bucks counties. On Sunday, the riders will compete in a 50-mile, .9-mile circuit in the heart of Doylestown.
"The expanded race course allows us to include new communities and expose more children to the sport,” explained Eustice. “For the professional racers, the new addition – which comes at the beginning of the race – will allow the pros to ‘stretch their legs’ before attacking the hills, twists and turns that have made this such a renowned race-course.”
The enhanced racing program will be complemented by a broad menu of community events and activities. The popular Cyclosportif 100K recreational ride will return in 2006. This year’s ride will be sponsored by Bicycling Magazine and Valley Forge Convention and Visitors Bureau. The Cyclosportif will once again benefit Indian Creek Foundation.
During the professional race on Saturday, spectators in Souderton can enjoy a Community Festival from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in Univest Plaza and children’s sprints sponsored by Byers’ Choice at the Start/Finish line. Also new for 2006 is a high school race on Main Street Souderton between Summit and Broad streets. Spectators in Lansdale will be treated to children’s sprints on Main Street at 10:00 a.m., and a community festival in the municipal lot adjacent to the Boys and Girls Club, prior to the arrival of the race.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming our first professional class of riders to the Univest Grand Prix, hosting a variety of family activities and bringing this world-class event into new communities in our region, our nation and abroad,” said William S. Aichele, chairman, president and CEO of Univest Corporation, the title sponsor of the event. “This multi-faceted festival is a shining example of the very best of community cooperation, volunteerism and civic mindedness. The cooperation shown for the event clearly demonstrates our commitment – and that of our neighbors – to building stronger, more vibrant communities.”
The community events continue on Sunday in Doylestown with the introduction of children’s races at 10:30 a.m., followed by the start of the professional race at 11:00 a.m. For the third consecutive year, the Univest Grand Prix Doylestown Criterium will be held in conjunction with the Doylestown Arts Festival. Together, both events attract more than 20,000 spectators.
For more information on the 2006 Univest Grand Prix, please visit www.univestgrandprix.com.
About Univest Grand Prix:
The Univest Grand Prix is presented by: Univest Corporation of Pennsylvania, Leidy’s Premium Pork Products, Bergey’s Dealerships, Clemens Family Markets, Doylestown Hospital, WFMZ-69, Comcast Sportsnet, and The Intelligencer.
About Univest Corporation:
Univest Corporation of Pennsylvania was founded in Souderton, Pa. and celebrates its 130th anniversary in 2006. Univest and its subsidiaries, Univest National Bank and Trust Co., Univest Insurance, Inc., and Univest Investments, Inc., provide support and leadership in their communities and offer a wide range of financial services to individuals, businesses, municipalities and non-profit organizations. Univest serves Bucks, Montgomery, and Chester counties through 34 financial service centers, 12 retirement community financial service centers, and 39 ATM locations.
About Sparta Cycling:
Sparta Cycling, Inc. is a cycling event and television sports producer, and also offers training programs for top level cycling athletes. Founded in 1997, the Manhattan-based company produces the Univest Grand Prix and the Tour of Connecticut. For more information, please visit www.spartacycling.com.