Univest In The News
2006 Univest Grand Prix Draws Largest Spectator Audience in Event’s History
SOUDERTON, Pa, October 3, 2006 – An estimated 25,000 spectators watched the ninth annual Univest Grand Prix, held Saturday, September 8 in Souderton and Sunday, September 9 in Doylestown, Pa. The turnout was the largest ever for the event, which was in its first year as a professional race. One of only six International Cycling Union (UCI) sanctioned races in the United States, the Univest Grand Prix has transformed from its origins as an amateur race to what is now the final stop on the 2006 professional UCI American Tour, which includes races from North, Central, and South America. Twenty eight international and domestic professional and elite cycling teams – a total of 170 cyclists -- participated in the event.
Participation in many Univest Grand Prix activities was at an all-time high. An estimated 15,000 spectators watched the race on Saturday and 10,000 more on Sunday. Eight thousand viewers watched the live video feed of the Saturday race remotely at www.wfmz.com. A record 400 bicyclists rode in the Cyclosportiff, a recreational ride to benefit the Indian Creek Foundation for the developmentally disabled. Frankie Andreu, nine-time Tour de France rider and former member of the U.S. Postal Service Professional Cycling Team, led the Cyclosportiff. In addition, a record 150 children participated in the children’s races in Lansdale, Souderton, and Doylestown.
At the Doylestown Criterium on Sunday, Lancaster, Pa., native and 2006 Tour de France winner Floyd Landis added to the excitement by making an unannounced appearance.
This year’s event had many enhancements over the previous years including:
- The addition of U.S. professional teams and new international teams including Mexico
- An expanded Saturday course covering 107.3 miles and now including Hatfield, Towamencin, Lansdale, and Upper Gwynedd
- Live television coverage on 69 WFMZ-TV, live radio coverage on both days by WNPV 1440AM, national distribution of the taped program on Comcast SportsNet, and expanded media coverage and partnerships including KYW 1060
- Children’s races were expanded to include Lansdale and Doylestown with help from the local YMCAs
- Cyclist visits to schools included Central Bucks, Souderton and North Penn School districts
- Host housing for the cyclists expanded to families in Doylestown and the central Bucks County area
- A new community festival in Lansdale, a race tie-in with a local Scottish/Irish festival in Green Lane Park and an expanded festival in Souderton
- An enhanced children’s area with Radio Disney and Kid’s TV set from 69 WFMZ-TV
New sponsorships and support from business and government
“We are delighted with the success of this year’s Univest Grand Prix,” said William S. Aichele, chairman, president and CEO of Univest Corporation. “Changes to the race this year allowed us to include new communities, and we have already begun additional expansion plans for next year’s race. On behalf of Univest and Sparta Cycling, I would like to thank local businesses and members of the community for working together to host this prestigious event.”
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, Comcast Sportsnet, WFMZ-69, 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 35 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 .
This press release may contain forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results and trends could differ materially from those set forth in such statements due to various factors. Such factors include the possibility that increased demand or prices for the Company's financial services and products may not occur, changing economic and competitive conditions, technological developments, and other risks and uncertainties, including those detailed in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.