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Known more for its college sports, Knoxville, TN, goes pro as it hosts USA Cycling’s 2023 Pro Road National Championship.
Here are the dates, details and everything y0u need to know about it.
2023 Pro Road National Championship is set for June 22-25. It features pro road cyclists from across the country to compete for national titles in the following events: Individual Time Trial, Criterium, and Road Race.
Time Trial:
Individual Time Trials will be held Thursday, June 22 at 9:30 am on a 7.2-mile section of roadways that traverse along the banks of Melton Lake and the internationally acclaimed Oak Ridge Rowing venue, just 30 minutes west of downtown Knoxville. The women will complete two laps of the 7.2-mile ITT course for a total distance of 23.2 kilometers. The men will complete three laps for a total distance of 34.9 kilometers. The course is relatively flat with three technical U-turns, allowing spectators to see athletes pass multiple times from one location. Food trucks will be available onsite.
Criterium:
On Friday, June 23, the Criterium will be held under the lights of downtown Knoxville at 6:15 p.m., with the race starting and finishing on Gay Street. The 1.1-mile circuit is fast, short, and technical. Athletes will race for a set amount of time and then a specific number of finishing laps. The Start/Finish Line is located on Gay Street at Cumberland Avenue and will have a big screen live streaming the races. A beer garden will be available throughout the races.
Olympic Day:
Olympic Day kicks off at 12:00 pm Saturday, June 24. Children and families will get the chance to meet Olympic Athletes and Pro Racers at Safety City until 2:00 pm. The event will also feature cycling activities for youth riders on striders, push bikes, and pedal bikes; exciting giveaways from USA Cycling; family-friendly vendors, Dollywood ticket raffle, Bunnz Food Truck, Kona Ice and more! Riders are asked to bring their own bikes and helmets to ride. “Olympic Day is a great opportunity for the local community to engage with USA Cycling during the weekend of the Pro Road National Championships,” said Kim Bumpas, President of Visit Knoxville. “This event is an enhancement to the weekend’s races, allowing families to come to Safety City and meet Olympians and National Champions right here in their own backyard.” This event is free and open to the public from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm at Safety City (165 S Concord St. Knoxville, TN 37919).
Road Race:
The Pro Road National Championships conclude with the Road Race on Sunday, June 25 at 9:00 am. The peloton will start and finish on Gay Street in downtown Knoxville, allowing for incredible viewing experiences. The 6.8-mile route will cover familiar territory, crossing the Tennessee River via the iconic Gay Street Bridge, traversing the signature climb up Sherrod Road, and using the James White Parkway to return to downtown Knoxville. The women will race 10 laps, for a total distance of 68 miles, and the men will complete 17 laps for a total distance 115.6 miles. A big screen live streaming the races will be visible on Gay St. in front of the Tennessee Theatre.
Race Schedule & Awards:
Thursday, June 22: Individual Time Trial
Friday, June 23: Criterium
Saturday, June 24: Olympic Day
Sunday, June 25: Road Race
For a detailed schedule of events click here.
General Information:
Knoxville has hosted USA Cycling and many of the world’s best cyclists for seven straight years. Don’t miss YOUR chance to come cheer on world-class athletes.
Daily admission to spectate is free to the public. Knoxville and USA Cycling merch will be available at the corner of Church Avenue and Gay Street on Friday and Sunday.
For more information about the race, accommodations, and local attractions in Knoxville, please visit the official Visit Knoxville website here.
Digital:
Stay connected with all the action and updates throughout the championship by following USA Cycling’s social media platforms and visiting their website. To receive the latest news and updates, be sure to follow USA Cycling on social media. The official event hashtag is #USPro.
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