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A major three-day bicycling event is launching in Newport News in April, and people have until Sunday to sign up if they want to take advantage of all the races.
Last year, Newport News and THR Cycling Club partnered to create a new competitive sporting event, the Newport News Twilight Criterium. Thanks to what the city called “an overwhelming response,” the event is expanding this year to encompass an entire weekend of competitions and activities.
From April 14 until April 16, bicyclists of all ages and abilities can participate in a “Tour of Newport News” — an omnium or multi-race event. Participants can register for all four races or sign up for individual events. The Tour of Newport News features $14,000 in cash and prizes and jerseys for the overall champions.
Race Director Graham Costa called Newport News “an ideal location” to hold an omnium because its layout is well-suited for hard and technical courses.
“The courses, which are in the Yard District, neighborhoods, and an active military installation, give participants fun and challenging courses with incredible backdrops,” Costa said in a statement. “Cyclists and spectators will enjoy the proximity to attractions, restaurants, breweries, distilleries, and more.”
The city expects 225 to 275 riders for the full slate of four races and 400 to 450 participants for the criterium, the racing event returning from last year.
“These numbers are weather-dependent; if the weather is nice, we expect much higher numbers,” said city spokesperson Sarah Bowman.
Some registered participants hail from as far away as Spain and Canada, meaning a boost in tourism spending, according to Bowman. While the city doesn’t have exact estimates on estimated economic benefits at this time, she described it as “a significant event for our city.”
“These events are also taking place in neighborhoods, creating an uptick in foot traffic and sales at local businesses and restaurants,” Bowman said. “The Tour of Newport News is raising community awareness and creating a sense of place in Newport News.”
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The races and road closures
The tour begins on April 14 with street sprints on 23rd Street in the Yard District. This is an elimination style, standing start sprint on a straight, slightly uphill 200-meter course.
The competition continues April 15 with the Crawford Road time trial in Yorktown. The out-and-back 5-mile course includes rolling terrain.
Later that day, the criterium returns to the Yard District in downtown Newport News. The one-kilometer race includes eight turns and is made up of two square city blocks. The event offers eight races for men and women of varying ages and expertise, including a free fun race for children ages 3 to 9.
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Breaking News
The tour concludes April 16 with the Fort Eustis circuit race. The course is a flat and fast 5-kilometer loop with five 90-degree turns on an active duty military base.
Registration closes Sunday for the full Tour of Newport News omnium and the Fort Eustis circuit race to give organizers enough time to ensure base access for all participants.
Pre-registration closes at noon April 13 for the other three individual events — Friday night street sprints, Crawford Road time trial, and the criterium — with same-day registration available for the street sprints and the criterium.
Several road closures will be associated with the Tour of Newport News. On April 14, 23rd Street will be closed from at least 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. On April 15, Crawford Road in York County will be closed to through traffic from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. Also on April 15, road closures will occur between 23rd and 27th streets and from West Avenue to Huntington Avenue in Newport News.
“We anticipate these closures to begin at approximately noon and last through the conclusion of the Twilight Criterium at 9:30 p.m.,” Bowman said.
For complete race information or to register, visit www.bikereg.com/tour-of-newport-news.
Josh Janney, joshua.janney@virginiamedia.com