The city of Charlotte, North Carolina will play host to two rounds of the USA Cycling National Racing Calendar next month, with new sponsor – Novant Health. Together, the event will be joined by the Belmont Criterium to create the Charlotte-Belmont omnium.
About
Once again for 2014, the Novant Health Invitational Criterium promises to be one of the most exciting sports events in Charlotte. On April 12, 2014, the streets of center city Charlotte will light up with lots of exciting action ranging from BMX competitions to professional bicycle races – lots of fun and entertainment for all ages!
The racing flag goes green at 5 pm when the Top Amateurs from the 2014 Dilworth Criterium will be racing fast from the gun on the center city streets (the same course as the professionals) to claim the top spots in the Amateur Shootout for a $3k prize purse.
At 6 pm, the top professional women’s criterium cyclists from around the world line up at the Start/Finish for the Women’s Professional 25 mile Criterium, racing at full speed for a chance to earn part of the $60k prize purse offered during the evening. The evening will culminate with the Professional Men’s 50-mile Twilight Criterium at 7:30 pm.
These men and women cyclists will take the sharp corners of the downtown streets shoulder to shoulder at high rates of speeds, demonstrating the incredible breath-taking bike handling of professional cyclists, competing for one of the country’s largest prize purses in bicycle criterium racing. This event is part of the USA Cycling National Criterium Calendar and part of the USA CRITS National Series, and attracts the top professional riders from around the world.
Spectators can watch the racing action up close and personal all along this 1.25 mile spectator friendly course. While at the race course, plan to visit the Race Expo, open from 4 – 9 pm, located at the corner of Trade and Tryon. The night will be highlighted by the exciting & upbeat music provided by RED BULL, featuring DJ Arthur Bros.
The Men and Women’s Awards ceremonies will take place at the Start/Finish Line immediately following the men’s race.
COURSE MAP
1.2 MILES PER LAP – 8 CORNERS
Neutral Support provided by SRAM (2 course locations) Free Lap until 4 to go
TEAM PARKING
W. 6th Street between N. Church & N. Tryon Streets W. 4th Street between S. Church & S. Tryon Streets E. 3rd Street between S. College & S. Tryon Streets
RACE EXPO
The official Novant Health Invitational Criterium Race Expo will be located at the corner of Trade and Tryon Streets, at the Bank of America Plaza. There will be vendors and exhibitors. Visit the Race Expo between 3 – 9 pm. Food will be available on site.
STREET CLOSURES
Tryon Street from 1st Street to 6th Street will be closed starting at 8:00am. The streets that include the entire course, Church, 2nd, and 5th Streets, will close at 4:30pm and reopen at 10:00pm.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The Novant Health Invitational Criterium course is a 1.25 mile circuit in the shape of a barbell that includes a long straightaway and eight corners. There is a small hill on W. 5th Street and a long uphill grade along S. Tryon Street to the finish line. The course is unique in that the entire stretch of Tryon Street is bi-directional in that the riders race up and down both sides.
SPECTATOR ETIQUETTE
Please be aware of the fence along the course. In order to respect the safety of riders and spectators please remain on the outside of the fence and the course. Also, please do not hang on fencing as riders coming around can get incredibly close to the perimeter of the course. Cross the course only at designated locations and times.
http://www.charlottecriterium.org
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