CRCA Mengoni Grand Prix
Jump to the detailed CRCA Trek Mengoni Grand Prix Technical Guide
The Mengoni Grand Prix is one of three open races hosted every year in Central Park. This year's race is particulary bittersweet as we mourn the passing of Fred Mengoni, a staunch supporter and sponsor of bike racing including GS Mengoni, which groomed numerous elite + professional riders, as well as co-founding US Pro Cycling, which eventually merged under the overall umbrella of USA Cycling and earned Mr. Mengoni a place in the Cycling Hall of Fame in 1994. Read more about Mr. Mengoni and his cycling achievements here. As Velonews wrote:
His lasting impact is measured across generations. He backed the GS Mengoni team in the 1980s, which helped such riders as Steve Bauer, Leonard Nitz and Doug Shapiro, among others, start their racing careers. Mengoni was also an early backer of Greg LeMond, and the pair remained friends for life. The 1990s version of the team was key to starting the careers of George Hincapie and Mike McCarthy among others in the New York City racing scene.
2024 mengoni grand prix DETAILS
Important links for the 2024 edition of the race are included below:
Race Date: April 20, 2024
Registration Link: Bikereg
Technical Guide: CRCA Trek Mengoni Grand Prix Technical Guide
While details for 2024 are being finalized, please feel free to browse the below information from last year’s race. All is subject to change.
CRCA Trek Mengoni Grand Prix Technical Guide
IMPORTANT NOTES
Central Park: Please be respectful of Central Park and other Park users before, during and after the race. Do not litter - use labeled trash receptacles.
The safety of our racers and other Park users is paramount:
Do not ride on Park paths other than the main Park Drives loop.
Do not ride against the flow of traffic - this includes pre- and post-race! Counter-clockwise riding along the main loop only.
Do not ride in the recreation/jogger lane along the inside of the main Park Drives loop. THIS LANE IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN.
Violation of any of the above will result in race disqualification.
Rider Conduct: Unless specific exceptions are noted in this Technical Guide, this race is governed by the USA Cycling Rulebook. The Chief Referee may impose/increase any fines or penalties according to the gravity of the offense. Monetary fines issued to riders or teams are to be paid directly to USA Cycling.
Helmets: Per USAC rule 1J1, riders are required to wear a securely fastened helmet at all times while riding a bicycle (does not apply to riding rollers/trainers during warm-up). This rule is in effect at all times for all competitors from the opening of registration through the final awarding of prizes.
Junior Rollout: Per USAC rule 1I4, ALL Juniors (regardless of category) must report to rollout immediately after finishing. Rollout will take place at the finish line area. Penalties for failing to report to rollout or failure to meet gearing requirements are at the discretion of the Chief Referee and Race Director.
Bathrooms: While we make every effort to request the Parks Department open restrooms prior to the start of racing, we cannot guarantee their availability in the morning. Please plan accordingly. Urinating and/or defecating on Parks property will not be tolerated and you will be subject to State and/or City laws including a fine, disqualification from the race, and a ban from participation in future CRCA events. Bathrooms are located just behind the Rambles Shed Parking Lot. See the interactive Central Park map below.
Results: Results will be posted at the Rambles Shed Parking Lot shortly after the finish of your race. After results have been posted, racers will have a 15 minute protest period. After the protest period, results will be final. Full results will be posted to USAC. It is the racer's responsibility to verify their result during the protest period. Results will not be changed afterwards.
Race Numbers: Racers will be provided with TWO (2) numbers. Numbers must be pinned on the RIGHT SIDE and LOWER BACK of the riders jersey over pockets. Incorrect placement of numbers may lead to incorrect/missing results.
COURSE NOTES
The interactive Race Map below shows relevant points of interest for CRCA Central Park races. Zoom in and hover your pointer over each icon to see location details.
DO NOT ENTER THE REC LANE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE. For safety reasons the rec/joggers lane is strictly off limits and infractions are subject to automatic disqualification, and for CRCA members, suspension from the Club.
The race will start at the crosswalk on Cat’s Paw Hill pictured below. All riders must be lined up at least 10 minutes prior to race start for final instructions from race officials. Please be respectful of other riders on the line and do not ‘cut’ to the front of the field. The start order of each field will be as indicated on Bikereg.
REGISTRATION
Due to construction, registration will be staged in the Loeb Boathouse Parking lot just south of Cat’s Paw. It is VITALLY important that riders do not ride backwards (clockwise) on Park Drives and do not ride on pedestrian paths before, during or after races. Infractions are subject to automatic disqualification and suspension from the club.
There is no day of registration for this race. All registration must be completed in advance via Bikereg. If you have questions about registration please contact bikereg@crca.net
Check-in will open at ~4:40AM and will close 15 minutes prior to race start.
Any pre-reg'd riders who have not checked in by 15 minutes prior to race start may not be allowed to race.
Do not place your bike on the grass. Use the provided bike racks
Do not ride on pedestrian paths towards registration or the bathrooms. DISMOUNT YOUR BIKE AND WALK. Parks Department employees will be on site and monitoring for infractions.
After checking in and getting your race numbers, racers should drop their bags in the Rambles Parking Lot, use restrooms as needed (just behind Rambles Parking Lot), and begin lining up at the start line. See the interactive Central Park Map above to see indicators for each location.
RACE INSTRUCTIONS
The Race will be neutral until Engineer’s Gate (East Drive at 90th Street). See the interactive Central Park Map above.
Fields will likely pass one another during the race. Fields being passed will be neutralized to the right of the Racing Lane. Passing fields will use the appropriate left side of the Racing Lane. Do not move into the Rec Lane.
Never pass your lead moto. Passing the lead moto will result in an immediate disqualification.
If you are dropped from your field please move to the side of the road when you are passed by other fields, but never enter the Rec Lane!
PODIUM AND PRIZE PAYOUTS
Please refer to Bikereg for prize and prime information.
Podiums and prize payout will take place in the Rambles Shed Parking Lot following the
conclusion of all racing. We encourage racers to watch other finishes. However, please stay clear of the Racing & Rec Lanes and DO NOT RIDE BACKWARDS ON THE COURSE!
Racers must be present for the podium ceremony to receive prizes. Racers not present will forfeit their prizes.
Depending on size of payout, certain riders should be prepared to provide their SSN for tax purposes before receiving their payout.
CRCA Trek Mengoni Grand Prix
Past Champions
MEN
2018: Scott Savory
2017: Stephen Hall
2016: Cristian Torres
2015: Norlandy Tavaras
WOMEN
2018: Alija Beatty
2017: Anita Stenberg
2016: Colleen Gulick
2015: Lisa Vandivort
