Carl Zach Cycling Classic

Editor's Note: The following information was first posted on the Tour of America's Dairyland's website.

Event promoter Midwest Cycling Series, LLC, has announced the 2012 schedule for the Tour of America's Dairyland presented by Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board. The omnium competition will travel throughout 11 Wisconsin communities, June 21 - July 1, and include four dates on the USA Cycling National Criterium Calendar.

• Thursday, June 21
  Shorewood Criterium Cycling Classic (Pro Men and Pro Women races only)
• Friday, June 22
  East Troy Cycling Classic (Criterium)
• Saturday, June 23
  Giro d' Grafton (Criterium)
• Sunday, June 24
  
• Monday, June 25
  Greenbush Road Race
• Tuesday, June 26
  Schlitz Park Criterium (Downtown Milwaukee)
• Wednesday, June 27
  Town of Erin Road Race
• Thursday, June 28 (NCC Event)
  Sheboygan Harbor Centre Bike Race
• Friday, June 29 (NCC Event)
  Fond du Lac Gran Prix (Criterium)
• Saturday, June 30 (NCC Event)
  Downer Classic (Milwaukee's Eastside)
• Sunday, July 1 (NCC Event)
  Madison Criterium

Advance online registration is expected to open in early March for Tour of America's Dairyland, now the largest competitive cycling event in the United States, based on USA Cycling registration statistics.

"We continue to be able to offer our racers challenging new courses, improved scoring systems, huge payouts, bigger crowds, participation in the NCC, and so much more...because of the continued incredible support Tour of America's Dairyland receives from Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board," said ToAD co-founder Bill Ochowicz. "We're incredibly grateful for Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board's renewed presenting sponsorship of ToAD, and it's something we have never taken for granted. This year ToAD is going to be off the charts."

The 2012 ToAD schedule also includes two new courses: the scenic yet challenging Town of Erin Road Race and the East Troy Cycling Classic. Just over a half mile in total length, the East Troy criterium will arguably be the most technical course ever showcased during ToAD. The super fast, six-corner criterium is flat with the first and second turns seemingly blending into one around the historic downtown square of East Troy.

"The Town of Erin Road Race will be one of the most challenging road races riders will ever see," said Executive Director Jack Hirt. "The course will be a little over 10 miles in length and have 355 feet of climbing per lap, starting and finishing at the The Basilica of the National Shrine at Holy Hill."

Updates will be announced on the Official Website (www.TourofAmericasDairyland.com), on Facebook (Tour of America's Dairyland), and on Twitter (@ToADcyclingrace).

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About Tour of America's Dairyland

In 2011, Tour of America's Dairyland awarded over $130,000 in cash and primes to racers of multiple categories, including $31,000 in the Becker Law Women's Series and $6,000 Ben's Ultra Prime at the ISCorp Downer Classic. Last year, the top prize of the $10,000 Pro Men's Team Competition powered by 5-hour ENERGY was awarded to Aerocat, whose Serghei Tvetcov took home the coveted yellow and white cowprint Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board Overall jersey. Laura Van Gilder of Mellow Mushroom claimed the Overall Pro Women's title and joined her teammates in celebrating the Overall Pro Women Team Competition victory. Claiming the Oarsman Capital Cat 2 Amateur Green Jerseys were James Bird (ISCorp) and Kelley Hess (Team KENDA). The Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board has been the presenting sponsor of the Tour of America's Dairyland since the pro-am cycling event's beginning in 2009. Over 9,000 cartons of chocolate milk were chugged by ToAD racers as a recovery drink in 2011.

About Midwest Cycling Series, LLC

Midwest Cycling Series, LLC, founder and promoter of the Tour of America's Dairyland, comprises six avid cyclists and successful entrepreneurs including U.S. Cycling Team Olympian and Team Sports, Inc. President Tom Schuler, Olympic Road Race Trials qualifier and former Nova Cycle Sports Foundation President Bill Ochowicz, Milwaukee Junior Cycling Team co-Executive Director Bill Koch, National Senior Olympics competitor Jim Michler, Paul Weaver, founder of one of Wisconsin's longest running multi-sport teams, Team GEARGRINDER, and Jack Hirt, former executive director of the Bike Federation of Wisconsin, who leads day-to-day operations as Executive Director. Official Website: www.TourofAmericasDairyland.com

About Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board

Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, a nonprofit organization funded by the Wisconsin dairy producers, promotes the awareness and consumption of milk, cheese and other dairy products made in America's Dairyland. Official Website: www.EatWisconsinCheese.com