Team Livestrong Challenge lives on in Davis

The celebration of what made the bicycle — and the sport of road cycling — special on the American landscape continues when the Lance Armstrong-less Team Livestrong Challenge returns to Davis in 2013.

Local officials announced Wednesday that the Livestrong event will come to town for the third consecutive year. Central Park will host the June 22-23 Challenge Village, from which a series of graded cycle tours will leave that Sunday.

More than 1,500 cyclists participated in last year’s Challenge, which raised almost $1 million for cancer patients. The four June 23 bike rides range in distance from 10 to 100 miles, and are the principal fundraisers for Livestrong Foundation, which until recently had fallen superstar Armstrong as the organization’s face.

To register for a ride, visit www.livestrong.org.

The Team Livestrong Challenge is the foundation’s popular three-part series in the group’s roster of more than 20 athletic events designed to raise funds and awareness for the fight against cancer.

According to organizers, the Challenge “inspires and empowers individuals, teams, families, friends and co-workers to unite in the fight against cancer.” One hundred percent of participant and donor gifts to the Team Livestrong Challenge series go directly to support cancer programs and initiatives. Since 1997, the Challenge events have raised more than $80 million.

Another attraction planned for the Challenge riders and others will be the third annual Davis Music Festival to be held downtown on June 22. Local bands also will be entertaining the bicycle riders after they complete their ride the following day.

An integral part of the event is the Livestrong Challenge Village on the Green. The Central Park site will be home to many health-related and information booths. The Village will be open on June 22 in conjunction with the Davis Farmers Market. The Village booths also will be open on June 23 for the public and for post-race food and refreshments.

For more information, call the Davis city manager’s office at 530-757-5602.

Armstrong, who had his seven Tour de France first-place finishes erased in a wide-sweeping sport doping scandal, has severed all ties to Livestrong and its auxiliary events.

Challenges are planned for Philadelphia (August 17-18) and Livestrong’s hometown of Austin, Texas (date to be determined).