Professional Cycling Returns to Upstate SC

Upstate South Carolina will once again play host to USA Cycling Professional Championship races. On April 18 and 19, 2015, the USA Cycling Professional Criterium and Team Time Trial National Championships will be held in Greenville.

Greenville last played host to USA Cycling Professional Championship races in 2012 when the Professional Road Race and Individual Team Time Trials were contested over the Labor Day Weekend.

The following is a list of the events that will take place during the Bikeville Classic weekend, presented by Greenville Health System.

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Saturday, April 18, 2015

2015 USA Cycling Professional Criterium National Championships

The criterium races will be conducted in the City of Greenville’s West End on Saturday, April 18, 2015. The most common form of American racing, the criterium, is a multi-lap race of 25 to 60 miles held on a closed course generally a mile or less in length. These races, which usually last one to two hours, are extremely fast –30+ mph. The short closed course makes this type of racing easy to watch for spectators and more accessible for the media. The course will be run on downtown streets, along S. Main St. from Augusta St. to Wardlaw St., onto Rhett St., up to Camperdown Way and back onto S. Main St.

Approximately eight races will be conducted on Saturday along this course. Amateur races will be held in the morning and Professional races in the afternoon, ending with the Women’s and Men’s Championship races starting around 2:30 PM. USA Cycling anticipates over 500 athletes will compete in these races.

Other activities during the day will be:

Bike Valet – An area where spectators who ride to the event can check their bike at a secure area next to the course.

Spokes & Spandex Expo – Cycling oriented companies and non-profits will be on hand to display and sell products, offer test rides, and provide information about social issues as it relates to cycling.

Food Truck Rodeo – Food trucks will be on hand to offer spectators a wide selection of great Food Truck cuisine.

VIP Hospitality – Spectators who pay a fee in advance will have access to a prime viewing area of the start/finish. Complimentary food & beverages will be available.

Saturday Schedule

5:00 AM                               Course set up begins

8:00 AM                               Men’s Cat 4—50 minutes

9:00 AM                               Men’s Cat 3—50 minutes

10:00 AM                             Junior’s U18 men and women –30 minutes

10:40 AM                             Men’s Masters 40+—50 minutes

11:00 AM – 6:00 PM        The Trappe Door VIP Tailgate Party

11:00 AM – 6:00 PM        Expo

11:40 AM                             Women’s Cat 3-4—35 minutes

12:25 PM                             Pro 1-2 Men’s –70 minutes

1:40 PM                                Local event—40 minutes

2:20 PM                                Women’s Pro Championship—90 minutes

4:00 PM                                Men’s Pro Championship—120 minutes

6:00 PM                                Races finished. Awards Ceremonies

Access to the races and Expo are free.

Sunday, April 19, 2015

2015 USA Cycling Professional Team Time Trial National Championships

The race will be held on Interstate I-185, also known as the Southern Connector, a toll road in southern Greenville County. The interstate will be closed to vehicle traffic for most of the day to conduct the races. In the morning, before the competition begins, the course will be open to the public to ride the 20 mile course. USA Cycling anticipates over 70 teams will compete in the Time Trial.

A team time trial (TTT) is a road-based bicycle race in which teams of cyclists race against the clock. Teams start at equal intervals, usually two, three or four minutes apart. Starting sequences will usually be based on individuals’ times in previous events with the highest ranked teams starting later. Later starters have the advantage of knowing what times they need to beat (and this also makes the event more interesting to spectators). Unlike individual time trials where competitors are not permitted to ‘draft’ (ride in the slipstream) behind each other, in team time trials, riders in each team employ this as their main tactic, each member taking a turn at the front while team-mates ‘sit in’ behind. After their turn, the lead rider will swing over, allowing the next rider to take the lead, while the leader goes to the back of the team.

Professional teams will average 30+ miles per hour on the I-185 course.

Ride the Southern Connector

Prior to the Team Time Trial Championships, the course will be open for two hours to the public for a 20 mile ride on this interstate highway. The entry fee will be $30.00 per rider which includes a souvenir tee shirt.

Sunday Schedule

8:00 AM – 10:00 AM        Ride the Southern Connector (Public ride)

9:30 AM                               First Wave—Amateur teams of 4 (2 min. gaps)

Follows                                                Women’s Pro teams (3 min. gaps)

Follows                                                Men’s Pro teams (3 min. gaps)

1:15 PM                                Last team goes off

2:30 PM                                Awards at finish line

More information is available at www.bikevilleclassic.com.