Derby City Cup Professional Cyclocross Athletes and U of L Cycling Team Participate in Event Promoting Youth Sports Hosted by Louisville Orthopedic

November 4, 2015 - The city of Louisville is anticipating hundreds of athletes during the Derby City Cup cyclocross race November 6 – 8, 2015. This popular and challenging event, held each year at Eva Bandman Park off River Road in Louisville, Kentucky, attracts top male and female athletes from around the world. Registration and check-in begins on Friday November 6, with two full racing days on Saturday and Sunday.

The sport of cyclocross, which involves a rigorous biking competition on a mix of surfaces that include gravel, sand, grass, pavement, ice, mud and more, requires cyclists to navigate a variety of obstacles. Some of the obstacles are so challenging that cyclists have to dismount, remount, and even carry their bikes during the race.

Though the sport has a rich history in Europe, dating back to the early 1900s, its introduction to the U.S. is much more recent. Yet a growing number of cyclists across the U.S. are getting involved in cyclocross. And this includes Louisville orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine doctor Stacie Grossfeld. Not only does Dr. Grossfeld enjoy serving as the event physician for the Derby City Cup races, but she is also working hard to increase youth awareness about the sport, and to support kids already involved in cyclocross racing. As part of this effort, Dr. Grossfeld is hosting a special event at her home on Friday evening, November 6th, in conjunction with the 2015 Derby City Cup.

Guests will include male and female youth cyclocross athletes, some award winning cyclocross champions, and the University of Louisville Cycling Team. The evening will start at 6:00 pm with beverages. A buffet-style dinner will be served at 6:45, and the panel discussion will begin at 7:30. All guests are encouraged to ask questions, get autographs, and meet the cyclocross riders.

The youth athletes in attendance include kids involved with two Louisville-area cyclocross teams, the Red Zone Cycling team and the Papa John's Racing Team. Focused on helping juniors be safe, have fun, and ride REALLY fast, Red Zone Cycling trains girls and boys 6 to 16 years of age. The team includes "elite" juniors, a select group of riders that compete in national cyclocross tournaments. Papa John's Racing Team, originally focused on adult athletes, is now dedicated to developing a powerful and talented juniors program. This competitive team includes juniors of varying ages who enjoy competing in a variety of cycling events.

Professional cyclocross athletes participating in this special event include male and female cyclocross professionals. USA Cycling Cyclocross Team Member Katie Compton and Kaitie Antonneau from Team Twenty 16 represent the female athletes on the panel.

Katie has won 8 National Championship titles in the women's division, and she was the first American woman to earn a silver medal in the Cyclocross World Championships in 2007.

Wisconsin native Kaitie Antonneau is a 2 time U23 National TT Champion, 3X Division I Collegiate Road Omnium National Champion, and the Division I Collegiate Criterium National Champion. She took 10th place at the 2013 UCI Cyclocross World Championship and 5th at the GC Cascade Cycling Classic.

In addition to meeting with Ms. Compton and Ms. Antonneau, guests will also have the chance to enjoy a panel discussion with numerous male champion cyclocross athletes including Steve Tilford, Ryan Trebon, Ben Berden, Drew Dillman, Gavin Haley and Gage Hecht. While all panel participants are stand-out athletes, they offer unique perspectives given their span in age and experience.

As a 4-time U.S. National Cyclocross Champion, 5-time UCI World Champion MTB-Masters, 3-time World Road Team Member, 2-time World Champion Masters Cyclocross and first U.S. National Mountain Bike Champion, Steve Tilford is a tremendous athlete and great role model for aspiring cyclists of all ages.

Guests will also enjoy the opportunity to meet Ryan Trebon, winner of the 2004 and 2006 U.S. Grand Prix of Cyclocross series championship, and the first American man to earn a national championship in cross-country mountain biking and cyclocross racing.

Belgian cyclocross racer Ben Berden will also be on hand to share his experiences and answer questions. With a rich history of professional racing, Ben has most recently enjoyed two impressive 2nd place finishes in the 2015 Cyclocross Tokyo and the 2015 Sea Otter Classic.

Collegiate National Champion and Junior and U23 Worlds Team Member Drew Dillman, Junior National Silver Medalist and Junior Worlds Team Member Gavin Haley and Cyclocross National Champion 2009, 2010, 2013 and 2013 and 2014 Pan-American Champion Elite Men 17-18 Gage Hecht, will also be participating in the panel discussion.

About Louisville Orthopedic Dr. Stacie Grossfeld

As a double-board certified sports medicine doctor and orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Stacie Grossfeld helps injured athletes heal quickly and get back to their sporting activities. Her orthopedic medical specialties include knee injuries, shoulder injuries, pediatric fractures, foot and ankle pain, and more.

Along with her private medical practice Orthopaedic Specialists, Dr. Grossfeld enjoys serving as a member of the Board of Directors for both the Norton Commons YMCA and the Louisville Sports Commission, and the team doctor for various local sports programs including Assumption High School, Spalding University and South Oldham High School.

With her own history as a competitive athlete in cross-country skiing, tennis and cycling, Dr. Grossfeld has a special commitment to and understanding of athletes. And she is particularly focused on finding ways to support the development of youth athletes