As promised, Patrick Dempsey is bringing back a pack of professional cyclists with him to circle one of the Dempsey Challenge routes, most likely the 50-mile course.
In an interview with the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram in August, Dempsey said he hoped to also bring in women pro riders. But the professional racing schedule will determine who can make the cycling event on Oct. 3 in Lewiston.
Some of the biggest names in professional cycling plan to join Dempsey on his second annual homecoming ride.
Here’s a who’s who of those who have committed to ride so far:
LEVI LEIPHEIMER
WHO HE IS: Olympic bronze medalist and eight-time Tour de France competitor.
WHERE HE’S FROM: Santa Rosa, Calif.
WHAT HE’S DONE: Has four top-10 finishes in the Tour de France, and placed 13th in the 2010 Tour riding for Team RadioShack.
WHAT ELSE: Leipheimer founded the King Ridge Gran Fondo, a benefit ride in Santa Rosa, Calif. He is an animal advocate and is working with his wife, Odessa Gunn, to create an animal refuge.
CHRIS HORNER
WHO HE IS: A four-time Tour de France competitor
WHERE HE’S FROM: Bend, Ore.
WHAT HE’S DONE: Earned his first major victory with a 1996 Tour DuPont stage win. He also won the point standings in the USA Cycling National Racing Calendar from 2002 to 2004.
WHAT ELSE: He’s famous for his fancy flying dismount called the “bike spike.”
KEVIN LIVINGSTON
WHO HE IS: A six-time Tour de France veteran
WHERE HE’S FROM: Austin, Texas
WHAT HE’S DONE: Known for assisting seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong in his comeback from cancer
WHAT ELSE: He owns Pedal Hard, a consulting business that coaches and trains people to explore their potential.
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