Duluth will be home to the 2nd annual Georgia Cup-Duluth Criterium Saturday, July 18, when 400 cyclists and an estimated more than 5,000 spectators return to the streets of downtown. The Georgia Cup Twilight-Duluth will feature top professional and amateur racers in the Southeast region and beyond competing for a $7,500 prize purse. The unique feature of this event is when the Pro Women and Men race at twilight "under the lights."
Criterium racing is one of the most common forms of bike racing in America. The criterium, is a multi-lap race of 25-60 miles held on a closed course generally a mile or less in length. These races, which usually last one to two hours, are extremely fast - 30 mph and up – as the cyclists jockey for position and sprint for lap "primes" (cash or merchandise prizes, pronounced "preems"). The short-closed course, generally with both right and left hand corners, makes this type of racing easy to watch for spectators.
This USA Cycling sanctioned and insured event will start at 3:00 p.m., and features race levels for all bike riders. The goal is to encourage family fitness, health and wellness. The Georgia Cup Duluth Twilight Pro Criterium is not only a professional cycling race, but also a festival of fitness, health, and wellness.
The event includes mobile food vendors, live music and a 'Chill Zone' where residents can cool down from the summer heat. The night will close with a Summer Stage Concert featuring opening act the HighBeams at 8 p.m. and Vertical Horizon, best known for their 1999 album, "Everything You Want," from 9 to 11 p.m.
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