Derby Field

After 149 Kentucky Derbys, Louisville Knows Sports

Dotsie Bausch, John Schnatter Named Honorary Co-Chairs for 2016 USA Cycling Amateur Road National Championship presented by Papa John’s

Papa John’s Signs on as Presenting Sponsor for the Event
to be Held in Louisville June 30-July 2

Louisville, Ky. – May 30, 2016 – Papa John’s CEO John Schnatter and 2012 Olympic cycling silver medalist Dotsie Bausch, a Louisville native and graduate of Ballard High School, have been named honorary co-chairs of the host committee for the 2016 USA Cycling Amateur Road National Championship presented by Papa John’s that will be held in Louisville June 30 – July 1. Papa John’s recently signed on as presenting sponsor.

The announcements were made yesterday by the Louisville Sports Commission (LSC) and USA Cycling during a press conference held at Norton Commons.

The event is expected to attract 1,000 cyclists from across the US to Louisville for men’s and women’s ages 9-23 divisions, as well as the men’s Open Category 1 division. The competition is comprised of a time trial, road race and criterium that will be held over four days at three different locations: the time trial will be held June 30 in Taylorsville; the road race will be held July 1-2 at Cherokee Park; and the criterium will be held July 3 at Norton Commons.

“Dotsie Bausch and John Schnatter are highly accomplished in their life’s work, are passionate about Louisville and have used cycling to lead active and healthy lives,” said Karl Schmitt, president and CEO of the Louisville Sports Commission. “And Papa John’s has long been a supporter of local cycling efforts through sponsorship of youth development teams and financial support for numerous local, regional and international cycling events. We’re elated to have Dotsie, John and Papa John’s lend their support to the 2016 USA Cycling Amateur Road National Championship presented by Papa John’s.”

“Cycling is a sport I enjoy and I am honored to be a part of the USA Cycling Road Nationals taking place in Louisville,” said John Schnatter, founder, chairman and CEO of Papa John’s International Inc. “It’s great that we could attract a national cycling event to Louisville and bring attention to our active, local cycling community.”

Bausch, a 10-year member of the US Road national team and seven-time road national champion, earned Olympic Silver in London in team pursuit with three other women whose improbable stories were captured in an award-winning documentary Personal Gold. Prior to her Olympic success, Bausch won two Pan Am gold medals, world championship medals and set a world record in the three kilometer team pursuit. Perhaps her greatest victory came from resurrecting her own life from the depths of a severe eating disorder 20 years ago after a promising modeling career in New York. During recovery, she discovered her talent and passion for cycling and, after 20 years on the bike, has transitioned from professional athlete to an advocate for healthy eating, women in cycling, animal rights, and a career as a successful motivational speaker and TV commentator.

“Cycling provided me enormous opportunities to succeed both personally and on a world stage, and I’m forever grateful for the impact cycling continues to have on my life,” Bausch said. “And I am thrilled to be back in Louisville to promote the USA Cycling Nationals and appreciate how the community has come together to bring this great event to my hometown.”

Dr. Stacie Grossfeld will serve as chair of the local host committee for the USA Cycling National Championships. Grossfeld, an orthopedic surgeon who owns Orthopaedic Specialists PLLC, will help the LSC coordinate volunteers, hospitality and other aspects of the USA Cycling Amateur Road National Championships.

Louisville hosted the USA Cycling Master’s National Road Championship in 2003, 2008, 2009 and 2010; the UCI Elite Cyclocross Championships in 2013 and the UCI Masters Cyclocross World Championships in 2012 and 2013; and the UCI World BMX Championships in 2001.

Local cycling teams with powerhouse youth programs include Red Zone and Papa John’s. Local riders who have made the podium at USA Cycling Road Nationals and who are likely to participate in national championships in 2016 include Will Bobrow, defending champion in the time trials for ages 13 to 14; Ruben Bacon, fourth in the 2015 time trials for age 15 to 16; and Ian McShane, who was a national champion and fourth-place finisher in time trials at various age levels.