Event Draws International Competitors

The 44th Chevron Manhattan Beach Grand Prix, the country’s second-oldest one-day bike race, is being run today with an international flavor.

Riders from five continents will pedal in the men’s and women’s races around the 1.4-mile criterium street course at Live Oak Park in Manhattan Beach. Women will race for an hour, men for 90 minutes.

Riders from Mexico, Costa Rica, Britain, Canada and Australia will compete.

“This is by far the most international race we’ve ever had,” race director Eric Smith said.

Ivan Dominguez, a Cuban defector, heads the men’s field. Ina Yoko Teutenberg, a 10-time German national champion, heads the women’s field.

“I think my team has a good chance to win it,” Teutenberg said. “If it comes to a sprint, hopefully my girls will lead me out, but you never know until you start racing.”

With the USA Cycling Elite National Championships at the Home Depot Center concluded, many cyclists chose to stay and compete in Manhattan Beach.

“Aside from putting more people in the field, it’s allowing the crowd to see other people they may have never got a chance to see,” Smith said.

The women’s race will begin at 11:20, the men’s at 12:30.

-- Jonathan Abrams