Into The Lion’s Den Powered by SRAM Announces the Fourteen Men’s Teams Competing on October 30th in Sacramento, CA

October 14, 2021

THE MEN’S RACE WILL FEATURE A NEW TEAM FORMAT WITH RIDERS COMPETING FOR ONE OF THE LARGEST PRIZE PURSES IN U.S. HISTORY

SACRAMENTO, CA (October 14, 2021) – Spectators will experience a new and exciting City Team format at the inaugural Into the Lion’s Den powered by SRAM. The men’s race will feature teams representing cities instead of their traditional trade teams. Each rider will wear a unique jersey showcasing their City Team, last name and an oversized individual number for fans to easily identify and cheer on their favorite riders.

“Racers will have an opportunity to compete for the largest equal prize purse in U.S. crit history,” said Justin Williams, top U.S. road racer, founder of Into the Lion’s Den and L39ION of Los Angeles. “Fans will witness a new format of racing in the men’s race. We’re testing out City Teams to create allegiances between fans and their communities. Fans will be able to cheer on teams from their cities or hometowns, just like they do with football and baseball. Plus, they will be able to identify their favorite riders by seeing their last names and team number across their entire backs, just like basketball.”

MEN’S RACE

Full team rosters will be released the week of October 25^th. The men’s field will include up and coming stars, plus familiar names, including National Champions and Olympians.

“I was planning on Track World’s being the beginning of a heavy winter track schedule in Europe, but the opportunity to be part of this event and get one more go on the road after a diminished season is something I couldn’t pass up. I’ve grown up racing Justin and Cory in Los Angeles, so coming here and representing the amazing scene that is Southern California cycling through the SoCal Composite team is a huge honor,” said Gavin Hoover, 2020 U.S. Olympian and 4-time National Champion. “I love high intensity, action packed crit racing and believe no one does it better than SoCal, I can’t wait to show that at Into the Lion’s Den. Representing the community that taught me to race my bike, the big prize purse, and what this race means for the sport in the U.S., made it a must for me. I hope the spectators see how much it means to race with full commitment and enjoy the full gas racing that comes from that.”

“The City Team format will create a unique bond between fans, teams and riders”, said Rahsaan Bahati, 10-time U.S. Champion, founder of the Bahati Foundation and Team Director for The Compton Team. “I think Into the Lion’s Den is going to develop fans through community pride and inspire the next generation by showcasing their local heroes.”

The Women’s field will be announced on October 21^st. Spectators will see current and former National Champions, World Champions and Olympians go toe-to-toe around the Capitol Grounds on October 30^th.

Into the Lion’s Den powered by SRAM schedule: 

12:00 – 7:00 p.m.        Bike Festival: Learn, play and enjoy – bike street festival with music, food, and exhibitors showcasing the best of the sport of cycling

1:00 – 1:45 p.m.          Community Halloween Event: Families can casually bike or walk the criterium loop around the State Capitol grounds in costume. A judging panel will be awarding costume prizes at the finish line

2:30 – 3:20 p.m.          Amateur Open Race: 50 minutes of racing

3:40 – 4:50 p.m.          Pro Women’s Race: 70 minutes of racing

5:00 – 6:10 p.m.          Pro Men’s Race: 70 minutes of racing

6:20 – 6:40 p.m.          Awards

For more information on the event, visit: intothelionsdencrt.com

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ABOUT L39ION OF LOS ANGELES

L39ION of Los Angeles is a UCI Continental Cycling team based in the U.S. The team was founded in 2019 by brothers Justin and Cory Williams to advance the sport of cycling, eliminate boundaries, and promote diversity, representation, and inclusion. The team is devoted to using its platform to give back to younger generations and showcase criterium racing in a way where athletes can make a good living competing at home in the U.S. In 2020, the Legion became a UCI Continental level team and formed a women’s pro cycling team.

ABOUT SRAM

SRAM® is a manufacturer of innovative bicycle components that was founded in Chicago, Illinois, in September of 1987, with the invention of its first product, Grip Shift®. Throughout its 34-year history, SRAM has focused on its product development innovation expertise in all bicycling disciplines. SRAM has also acquired some of bicycling’s most exciting brands. With 4000-plus employees, offices and manufacturing in 16 countries, SRAM and its brands RockShox®, Zipp®, Quarq® and TIME® is the second largest manufacturer of bike parts in the world.

ABOUT VISIT SACRAMENTO SPORTS COMMISSION

The Visit Sacramento Sports Commission leads the recruitment and hosting of major sports events across the Sacramento region. From nationally televised competitions to youth tournaments, the Visit Sacramento Sports Commission is building upon Sacramento’s reputation as a premier destination for all levels of sports events.

INTO THE LION’S DEN POWERED BY SRAM

Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @in2thelionsden, plus Facebook: @in2thelionsden20

Event website: intothelionsdencrt.com

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Media Contacts:

Guillermo Rojas, TORRE Consulting

719.428.9421

Guillermo.rojas@torrecs.com