The town of LaGrange will compete in the first-ever LaGrange Cycling Classic next weekend.
The competitive cycling event features hundreds of professional and amateur cyclists.
This inaugural cycling criterium is part of the USA CRITS Speed Week Series, which features intense and competitive racing on a multi-lap, closed-loop circuit criterium along the streets of downtown LaGrange.
Including LaGrange, eight cities are participating in the event. The event usually takes place in the spring but has been moved to August due to COVID. The plan is to return to its spring schedule if COVID calms down, said Bill Hunnicutt, executive director of the Downtown LaGrange Development Authority.
LaGrange was included in the event by chance, Hunnicutt said.
“When the event moved from April to August, one of the cities…and I got the call to put us on and more importantly let us go,” Hunnicut said .
Hunnicut said he hopes the event will provide an economic spark for participating businesses at LaGrange.
“What we want it to become is a friendly, fun festival atmosphere,” Hunnicutt said.
“This is an opportunity for LaGrange to connect to an already successful series. We want to make sure runners and race people have a great experience.
The Downtown LaGrange Development Authority will host this event on the streets of downtown LaGrange.
In preparation, the city will close several roads in the city center from Friday morning.
Broome Street, from Bull Street to Main Street, will be closed to traffic from 8 a.m. on Friday, August 27.
Main Street from Byron Hurst Street/East Depot Street to South Lafayette Square (Vernon Street), Bull Street from South Lafayette Square (Vernon Street) to Byron Hurst Street and Byron Hurst Street from Bull Street to Main Street will be closed to traffic and parking from 2 p.m. on Friday, August 27.
South Lafayette Square (Vernon Street) from Bull Street to Main Street and East Lafayette Square and West Lafayette Square will be closed to traffic and parking from 4 p.m. on Friday, August 27.
Downtown businesses and sidewalks will remain open to pedestrian and spectator traffic during event set-up and for the duration of the event.
Streets will reopen to traffic and parking around 10 p.m. on Friday, August 27.
Motorists are encouraged to use Broad Street as an alternate route.
For more information on this event, visit www.lagrangecyclingclassic.com.
This event is free and open to the public.
Register online at www.bikereg.com. Online registration closes August 24, 2021 at 11:59 p.m.
A $10 late fee will be charged for entries on the day of each registration. On-site registration and bib collection will open 1h30 before the start of the first race and will close 30 minutes before the start of each race.
Each rider must have a valid 2021 USAC or international racing license. Day licenses are available for $10 for races open to Category 5 Men and Category 5 Women. Experienced racers (Cat 4+ Men, Cat 3+ Women) can only pre-purchase a day license. a day through their USAC account.
Comments are closed.