Successful Race Continues
People's Community Bank Omnium will bring top racers to Johnson City and Elizabethton June 4-5. The success of the Watauga Orthopaedics Criterium in downtown Johnson City for the last two years has made it possible to increase the cash prizes to $12,030 from $9510; which will increase the depth and quality of the racers. The promoter Reneau Dubberley says, "I expect the spectators to also double again this year."
The three Olympic style bicycle races, road race, time trial and criterium that make up the Omnium will again use the challenging road course that finishes on Roan Mountain and the downtown Johnson City course for the Watauga Orthopaedics Criterium. A new course for the time trial is yet to be finalized.
The opening race, June 4, is the Nor-Well Roan Groan from Elizabethton to Carvers Gap. For the elite racers it covers 55 miles and climbs 5512'. The rest of the 250-300 racers ride 30 miles and climbs 4177'. The Roan Groan is the only mountain top finish in the Eastern US sanctioned by USA Cycling, the official governing body for all disciplines of competitive cycling in the United States. The race's unique challenge brought competitors from California to Florida to conquer the mountain last year.
This will be the seventh year for the Omnium, but only the third time the final criterium is in downtown. People's Community Bank, Johnson City and Blue Plum continue to support the fun and excitement of the racers and spectators on June 5. Access is free and the spectators are so close they can hear the racers banter with each other.
The main event, the professional category, will begin at 2:00 pm. Pros will navigate through the sharp corners of the downtown course, at an average speed of 35 mph. They will circle the course about once each minute. A spectator new to the sport last year said that she quickly saw the NASCAR like drafting and tactics. The spectators will see all the action from many locations including Freibergs, Tipton Street Pub and the Main Street Pizza Company where they can enjoy food, beverage and see the races from the sidewalk. For more information go to www.TriCitiesRoadClub.org then click "club events".
Last year's Pro 1-2 overall winner, Eric Murphy of Athens GA, took three tries to win. He was fourth in 2008 and third in 2009. Though the Pro 1-2 event was the strongest field yet in 2010, Murphy won, and said, "I'll be back to defend my title." With the increase in competitors that a 50% increase in the Pro 1-2 prizes will bring, it will be a tough win to repeat.
Sponsors for this year's Omnium are: People's Community Bank, Watauga Orthopaedics, Ameriprise Financial, Sleepzone, Edward Jones in Elizabethton, Fast Track Express Lube, Best Western, and Johnson City Chamber of Commerce.
Other Johnson City Convention & Visitors Bureau Athletic Events
July 13- 17, 2011 USSSA 13U AA Baseball World Series Presented by Food City
July 31- August 7, 2011 USA/ASA 10U Girls' Fast Pitch Softball National Championship Presented by Food City
September 24, 2011 Itty Bitty Bites Kids Half Marathon
September 25, 2011 Bluegrass Half Marathon Fueled by Earth Fare
A big thank you to the Johnson City Convention & Visitors Bureau Sport's Sponsors:
Carnegie Hotel, City of Johnson City, Dex One, ETSU Bluegrass Department, Earth Fare Supermarket, Fat Tire Beer, Food City, Foot Rx, Fun Expedition, Hampton Inn, Johnson City Power Board, Phil Bachman Toyota, and all of our great volunteers.
Bluegrass Half Marathon
