Shortly after competing in his first Tour de France, pro cyclist Tom Daneilson will join Levi Leipheimer, Davis Phinney and Connie Phinney in the third Annual Dempsey Challenge presented by Amgen. (PhotoSport International)
Less than a week after being named to the Team Garmin-Cervélo Tour de France roster, professional cyclist Tom Danielson has announced his intent to participate in the third annual Dempsey Challenge presented by Amgen, a non-competitive run, walk and cycling event benefiting The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing at Central Maine Medical Center. Danielson joins actor Patrick Dempsey along with cycling legends Levi Leipheimer, Davis Phinney and Connie Phinney for the Oct. 8 and 9 event in Lewiston, Maine.
Danielson, 33, resides in Boulder, Colorado and is fresh off a third place finish in the Amgen Tour of California and a ninth place run in the Tour de Suisse.
His major wins include back-to-back titles at China’s Tour of Qinghai Lake in 2002-03; the Tour de Langkawi in 2003; the Tour of Georgia in 2005 and the Tour of Austria in 2006. Danielson is also a three-time top ten finisher in the Vuelta a Espana (05,06, 10).
In 2002 he recorded the fastest ascent of Mount Washington, New Hampshire, climbing 7.6 miles to the highest peak in New England in 49-minutes, 24-seconds.
Danielson established the Tom Danielson Junior Race Series and Camps in 2006, providing support, encouragement, and skills development to junior racers in a competitive environment. He and his wife welcomed their first child, Steven, in March, 2010.
The 98th Tour de France, scheduled to begin July 2, will be Danielson’s first experience in the grueling three-week, 20-stage, 2,200-mile race throughout France and neighboring countries.
The third annual Dempsey Challenge presented by Amgen offers an L.L.Bean 5K and 10K run/walk on October 8 and cycling routes of 10, 25, 50, 70 and 100 miles on October 9. All events will begin and end at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston.
The weekend will include a free family-friendly Festival in the Park which plays host to the Concentra Health and Wellness Expo, Positive Tracks KidZone, vendor fair and live entertainment. Runners and walkers will enjoy the Hannaford 5 & 10K Café on Oct. 8 while cyclists are invited to take part in a participant lobster bake the following day. The Amgen Breakaway from Cancer Survivor Walk will highlight the weekend.
Participants are encouraged to create or join teams through the Dempsey Challenge website to build camaraderie and assist their fundraising efforts. For more information log on to www.dempseychallenge.org.
