Devoted to the auto industry – builders to enthusiasts

Some of world's finest cyclists will compete Sept. 8 in the Audi Best Buddies Challenge, a 100-mile charity cycling event from Carmel to San Simeon.

The picturesque trek along the Pacific Coast Highway will include pro cyclists: David Zabriskie (Team CSC) and Axel Merckx (Team T Mobile), as well as Ryan Trebon (Kodak Gallery/Sierra Nevada), Lars Michaelsen (CSC), Alex Candelario and Michael Jones (Jelly Belly) and Aaron Olson, Mari Holden, Kim Anderson and Kimberly Baldwin (T-Mobile).

Zabriskie, the current national time trial titlist, is one of five Americans to wear the race leader's yellow jersey in the Tour de France.  

Merckx, who recently announced his retirement, is the son of Eddy Merckx, generally considered the greatest cyclist in history. He's won Olympic medals, a stage in the Giro d'Italia and captured the Belgian national road championships.

The remaining invited cyclists have collectively won numerous Olympic medals and international races. 

The Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle benefits Best Buddies International, a nonprofit founded in 1989 by Anthony Kennedy Shriver to provide opportunities for one-to-one friendship and integrated employment to people with intellectual disabilities.

The Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle benefits Best Buddies International, a nonprofit founded in 1989 by Anthony Kennedy Shriver to provide opportunities for one-to-one friendship and integrated employment to people with intellectual disabilities.

In addition to the 100-mile event, 100-kilometer (62.4 miles) and 15-mile options are also available.

Best Buddies currently operates more than 1,300 chapters in 32 countries, with Audi and Volvo as automobile manufacturer sponsors.

To find out more about Best Buddies and its cycling events, visit: www.bestbuddies.org or www.bestbuddieschallenge.org.

In addition to the 100-mile division, 100-kilometer (62.4-miles) and 15-mile options are also available.

Best Buddies currently operates more than 1,300 chapters in 32 countries, with Audi and Volvo as automobile manufacturer sponsors. Numerous other similarly formatted rides area held throughout the country.

To find out more about Best Buddies and its cycling events, visit: www.bestbuddies.org or www.bestbuddieschallenge.org.