CEDAR CITY – On Aug. 4, in conjunction with stage one of the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah, the streets of Cedar City will be graced with the Cedar City Grand Prix – an all female elite and professional road criterium cycling event.

A criterium, often referred to as a “crit” in cycling vernacular, sees racers circumnavigate a short – usually less than a mile – closed course for a given amount of time and laps. The first rider to cross the finish line in the given time is the winner.

The Cedar City Grand Prix’s course will be 1.2K and riders will ride the short, fast course for 60 minutes.

“Spectators should expect to see cyclists come around every two-and-a-half minutes,” race director, Bobby Cannon said, “this is going to be a really fast race, cyclists will be going about 30 mph for the entire 60 minutes.”

Race start is slated for noon on Aug. 4 and will utilize the same start and finish line as the men’s Tour of Utah. Approximately 30 minutes after the men cross the start for a day of mountain riding the women will take center stage in downtown Cedar City to showcase their speed and skill on the bike.

This is the first female race of this caliber in the state of Utah, Cannon said, and organizers are excited to bring this event to the forefront for participants and spectators alike.

“The excitement of racing in front of 25,000 spectators is something that will make this event truly one of a kind for participants,” Cannon said in a press release, adding, “I can’t wait to see the excitement of the fans as they watch these amazing female athletes race past them…over and over again.”

The Grand Prix is a unique sporting event for spectators in that it allows them to get up close and personal to the action.

“You are within arms reach of these riders,” Cannon said, “you are just right there.”

The Cedar City Grand Prix is an USA Cycling sanctioned event and registration is open to professional and elite category one and two riders. The field is set at 80 cyclists.

There is a $5,000 money purse that will go 10 deep as well as other cash prizes available to participants.

Race organizers are in need of additional sponsors for the event, Cannon said, to help facilitate some of the extra prizes, adding that, “it is a good marketing investment.”

All inquiries about sponsorships should be directed to public relations manager, Nicky Wangsgard, [email protected].

Spectators wanting an even closer view are encouraged to volunteer through the event website.

So far, community response to the event has been favorable as all eyes prepare to turn to Cedar City for a great day of elite sportsmanship and cycling.

“The Cedar City Grand Prix will be an exciting opportunity for women to race in a unique small small town who will welcome them with open arms and cheer them on as loudly as the men,” Wangsgard said in a press release, “so far the community has been overjoyed at the news that the top female riders will be joining the top male professional cyclists in coming to Cedar City this year to race.”

Event details

• When: Monday, Aug. 4. Race begins at noon.
• Where: Cedar City Main Street
• Registration: The Cedar City Grand Prix is a USA Cycling sanctioned event open to females in the professional category and elite category-one and category-two brackets. Registration is available online through USA Cycling
• Cost: $45, race day registration: $60, spectators: free

Resources

• For more information about the Cedar City Grand Prix including volunteer opportunities visit the event wesite
• To register click here
• For more information on how to become a sponsor contact Nicky Wangsgard at [email protected]

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