The Gwinnett Bike Fest is far from the Tour de France —- both in stature and proximity.

There won't be an epic climb like in the French Alps, nor a cruise down the Champs-Elysees in Paris.

But with two new elements this year, the hundreds of riders expected to participate in the four-day event might feel at least a little bit like the best cyclists in the world.

First, the second-year race incorporates a stage-race format, which like the sport's grandest tour will determine its overall winner based on accumulated time. Second, one of the stages will roll through downtown Norcross, and while it's not quite like the French city of Toulouse, it'll mark the first time the Fest will race on city streets.

The Gwinnett ride also coincides with the final four days of the Tour de France.

"It's like a mini Tour de France, sort of," said Dan Coy of the Gwinnett Touring Club, one of the local sponsors of the race. "Tour of Gwinnett, maybe."

Racing in several categories from juniors to pros begins Thursday at Road Atlanta, the motorsports track located in Braselton. Road Atlanta, which held one of the Bike Fest races last year, also hosted one of the stages for the Tour de Georgia in April and was well-received by spectators. Racing begins at 4 p.m., with pro riders set to go at 7 p.m.

The downtown Norcross stage is scheduled Friday with a criterium race beginning at 2 p.m. Criterium races are typically short, fast races on closed city streets that require speed and maneuvering. The pros hit the streets at 8 p.m.

Saturday's stage is a road race on a 6.4-mile loop near Lawrenceville beginning at 8 a.m. The pros race 10 loops beginning at 2 p.m.

The final stage on Sunday is on a circuit route at the Gwinnett Progress Center, site of last year's final race. Racing runs 8 a.m.-2:15 p.m.

Race director Pete Sherrard of the Gwinnett Sports Commission expects around 600 cyclists of all skill levels to participate. Riders from as far away as Puerto Rico and California have signed up. Last year, 11 states were represented in the field.

GWINNETT BIKE FEST

Thursday

Road Atlanta Circuit Race

What: 2.5-mile motorsports track in Braselton. Race distances vary by category from 18 to 35 miles.

Start time: 4 p.m. (pros race at 7 p.m.)

Friday

Downtown Norcross Criterium Race

What: 1-mile circuit on downtown streets. Races run 25 to 90 minutes.

Start time: 2 p.m. (pros race at 8 p.m.)

Saturday

Competitor Southeast Road Race

What: 6.4-mile loop in the Lawrenceville area near Alcova Elementary School. Race distances vary by category from 14 to 63 miles.

Start time: 8 a.m. (pros race at 2 p.m.)

Sunday

Progress Center Circuit Race

What: 2.7-mile loop at Gwinnett Progress Center off Hurricane Shoals Road in Lawrenceville. Races run 20 to 90 minutes.

Start time: 8 a.m. (pros race at 2:15 p.m.)