The Angel of Echelon Rises for the Inaugural Echelon Gran Fondo Series – Napa Valley, May 23rd.

May 3, 2010 - PRLog -- (San Francisco, CA – May 3rd, 2010) – With the focus on fundraising for LIVESTRONG® and local cancer institutions, Queen of the Valley Hospital and the Martin O’Neil Cancer Center, organizers of the Echelon Gran Fondo series have resurrected a known figure in the world of professional cycling, and soon to be known to many more in the cancer centered hospital communities where the Echelon rides will occur  – the Angel of Echelon.  The Angel, formerly known as the Specialized® Angel, popular to both the cyclists and fans, has been restored and restyled to emulate a protector and healer while still maintaining her celebrated allure and charisma.  

The real life angel, California native Jana Ireton, began her career in the service sector as a nurse and is all too familiar with the emotional toils of working in hospitals. “When I was asked to bring back the Angel, I was thrilled, as I know the cycling fans liked this character and it was also great to simply energize the peloton. Now I have the chance to take the Angel to a different level, and work with the Echelon beneficiary partners and spread good will and encouragement to those who need it the most,” stated Ireton.

Echelon Event Director, Hunter Ziesing, has said that this particular series will emulate more the fanfare of the Tour De France, than the Italian heritage of Gran Fondos. “The angel character serves a dual role: one to inspire and support those off the bike and the other to captivate and cheer those on the bike,” said Ziesing. Ziesing has explained that other lively and unexpected characters will be on course cheering the riders along.

The Echelon series is designed as a partnership between the local beneficiaries who donate their time, and the donors who are focused on raising money for cancer initiatives. The key event sponsors - Garmin®, Louis Garneau®, Hammer Nutrition®, Capo®, Skins™, Bicycling Magazine and 99.3 The Vine and 1440 KVON- have donated product and services, of which will be rewarded to the fundraisers.  

The Echelon Napa cycling event will begin at 8:30am at Napa’s Veteran’s Park. Shortly after the cyclists depart much of downtown Napa will be closed for the inaugural Echelon 5k Run/Walk benefiting the Napa Valley Vine Trail, and beginning at 9:30am. Deadline for team and individual registration is May 16, 2010. For more information, visit http://www.echelongranfondo.org/napa.

About PlanetZ/Echelon:
PlanetZ is a non-profit global member organization that promotes human affairs including health, environment, and community, and is greatly committed to the cycling community at large by creating events and fitness challenges that are designed to raise money to local and national cancer focused institutions. For more information, please visit www.echelongranfondo.org

Media Contact:
Rebecca Kotch
323.806.5900
Rebecca@Rebeccakotch.com