Professional bike racing returns to downtown Greenville

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Bicycle racing is returning to downtown Greenville.

All of the major professional cycling teams — including the United States’ top tier men’s and women’s cyclists — will face off in a speed criterium race coming to downtown Greenville on April 25.

And three cycling legends and Greenville residents —  Bobby Julich, George Hincapie and Christian Vande Velde —  were on hand to announce the event recently, according to a news release..

The Greenville Cycling Classic by Prisma Health kicks off at 3:15 p.m. on Thursday, April 25, from the start/finish line at ONE City Plaza, at North Main and Coffee streets. The event will feature a full schedule of amateur and professional bike races for men and women as well as a special ride with the three Tour de France legends that is free and open to the public for riders ages 12 and older.

“We’re thrilled to bring high-speed criterium racing back to Greenville,” said George Hincapie, 17-time Tour de France veteran, in the release. “This event will be a fantastic spring highlight for the entire community to enjoy, and I can’t wait to watch the action.”

A criterium is a fast-paced style of road cycling race held on a short, closed circuit, according to the release. The Greenville event will be conducted on an exciting one-kilometer course that features tight corners and fast straightaways as it winds its way through the heart of downtown.

Professional cycling has a long history in the city of Greenville, according to the event’s website. The Michelin Cycling Classic in 1986 was the first official professional cycling race held right downtown, and this race continued for many years. Other event organizers started choosing Greenville for high-profile events like the Tour DuPont, Olympic Torch Relay and multiple US Professional National Championship events.

Road closures for the event will be in place from Noon to 11 p.m. on April 25. They will include:

• Main Street, from McBee Avenue to East North Street
• East North Street, from North Main to Brown streets
• Brown Street, from East North Street to McBee Avenue
•  McBee Avenue, from South Brown Street to South Laurens Street
• South Laurens Street, from West McBee Avenue to West Washington Street
• Washington Street, from South Laurens to Brown streest
• Visit GreenvilleCyclingClassic.com