DANBURY – Cyclists call it the best race of the year.

It’s been front page news, featured in all the major national cycling publications, and spotlighted in The New York Times ... it’s the fourth annual Housatonic Valley Classic bicycle race and it is set to take place on Sunday, May 23, at 1 pm.

It’s back, thanks to the newly formed Housatonic Valley Sports Organizing Committee (otherwise known as HV Sports).

Dick Murray, president of the HV Sports board, explains, “Capitalizing on the success of events like the Housatonic Valley Classic and attracting or developing other events like it makes good economic sense for this area. HV Sports was formed to do just that. The reason the bike race has been successful three years running is because the Housatonic Valley communities want to see it continue and give it tremendous support. During this process, the Housatonic Valley Economic Partnership and the Housatonic Valley Council of Elected Officials have also played pivotal roles in terms of logistics and sponsorship.

“This was definitely a team effort,” he continued. “The bike race is our legacy from the former Housatonic Valley Tourism District ... it’s become our region’s signature event.”

Steve Bull, president of the Danbury Chamber of Commerce concurs, “The former Housatonic Valley Tourism District was a major motivating and financial resource for this community and the bike race. Seeing these different groups come together has been great, especially after the loss the HVTD. The event continues to grow in size and stature and brings this area even more exposure. In terms of the local economy, this will only have a positive impact.”

Promotor John Eustice, whose credentials include a professional bicycle racing career and color commentating on the Tour de France for ABC/ ESPN, said, “The Housatonic Valley Classic is the last, largest and most grueling stage of The Tour of Connecticut. The Tour is made up of a beautiful and challenging series of cycling races.”

The first races and newest additions are the Litchfield Hills event on Sunday, May 16; the Lyme Rock Park race on Thursday, May 20; the New Haven leg on Friday, May 21; the Waterbury leg on Saturday, May 22; and The Housatonic Valley Classic on Sunday, May 23.

The Tour of Connecticut will be decided on points totals, with each race accorded a certain number of points. The HV Classic is awarded 40% points more than the rest of the races and most likely, the overall winner of the Tour of Connecticut will be in the top five finishers of the HV Classic.

“This will guarantee a thrilling end of The Tour and will accord the the HV Classic the respect it so richly deserves,” said Eustice.

This year’s HV Classic is expected to again attract top cyclists cyclists from European amateur teams to premier US professionals.

According to Eustice, “This year we have the US Armed Forces Team competing and we will be proud to cheer on all our men in uniform. We’re also expecting Vassili Davidenko of Navigators Cycling to try for three HV Classic wins in a row, which will make for a really fierce competition because everyone will want to topple him.”

To add to the high speed excitement, Eustice announced the premiere of the Junior Men’s 40k in Danbury.

“Like the Women’s and Master’s Criteriums,” he said, “the Juniors will be coming to Danbury to race on the finishing circuit of the of HV Classic.”

The Junior event is a World Championship team selection race and a Professional Cycling Tour Junior Qualifying race (men ages 16, 17 and 18). It’s a showcase for cycling stars of the future and is a chance for other young people in this region to see kids their own age competing in an event of this stature.

The HV Classic’s race route this year has also seen changes, according to Eustice.

“It’s more compressed, more dynamic ... and goes farther west into New Fairfield by traversing more and even harder hills!” he said, but added that competitors will still wind their way through the ten towns of the Housatonic Valley in a clockwise circuit.

The course begins in Danbury, speeds north along Candlewood Lake in New Fairfield, passes through Sherman and buzzes the historic green in New Milford. Before returning southward, the race crosses the scenic tressel bridge over Lake Lillinoah in Bridgewater, sprints through Brookfield Center rounds the flagpole in Newtown then zips through Bethel. The route hits Redding and then heads down the elm-canopied Main Street of Ridgefield.

The final 20 miles of The HV Classic ends on a circuit around Danbury, making the total race distance 100 miles.

The Housatonic Valley Classic’s presenting sponsors are WCTX/WTNH TV, ARIA TV SPORTS, Land Rover, Housatonic Valley Sports Organizing Committee, HVCEO/HVEDP and Northwest CT Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Other sponsors include: Belimo Air Controls USA, Williams Trading, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Union Savings Bank, Fiordi Frutta/Pan Ducale, Chanler-Lewis, The First National Bank of Litchfield, CT Lottery, CT Light & Power/Yankee Gas, Le Chateau Restaurant and Danbury Hospital’s Partners in Health.

Official suppliers include Cannondale, Thule Rack Systems, Mavic. WLAD is the official radio partner of the event.

The event is sanctioned by the United States Cycling Federation, the official governing body of the sport, and is a stop on the prestigious National Racing Calendar. The Housatonic Valley Classic is a production of Sparta Cycling, Inc.