Greenville, S.C. – Amateur and elite cyclists have their sights set on Knoxville, Tenn. for the weekend of August 9-10. This will be the fourth stop of the five-state competition for the Southeast Regional Series presented by Stan's NoTubes (SRS).

More than 450 cyclists, including members from local team KnoxVelo-Harper Auto, are expected to participate in the Knoxville Criterium and Road Race, a two-day event that offers prize money and points competitions. Currently, Dustin Antrican of Knoxvelo-Harper Auto leads the sprint competition in the Men’s Cat 5 division after three months of racing. The Knoxville Criterium begins at 8 a.m. on Saturday, featuring a one-mile circuit through downtown Knoxville. There are 11 categorized races, from two junior events to races for Masters and professional men and women riders. 

Sunday features nine categorized events among the beautiful terrain of Corryton, Tenn. for the Knoxville Road Race. Racers will navigate an 11-mile loop starting at Corryton School Road near House Mountain State Park. The route includes an uphill climb on Hogskin Road for The King of the Mountain/Queen of the Mountain points competition, a prize for the best climbers in the peloton.

“We're excited to return to Knoxville,” said SRS Director Marilyn Cullinane, who also owns Start Smart Cycling in Greenville, S.C. “The city has a lot of rich history and charm. Its natural beauty and scenic roads make it the perfect landscape for this competition. Spectators can see adrenaline-fueled racing from some of the best cyclists across the Southeast.”

Admission is free for spectators both days. The start/finish for Saturday events for the Knoxville Criterium is located on Howard Baker Jr. Boulevard, adjacent to the Knoxville Civic Auditorium and Coliseum. Racing starts at 8 a.m. and events are expected to finish at 4:45 p.m., with the awards ceremony to follow. The Knoxville Road Race on Sunday will begin at 8 a.m. with the 80-mile Men’s Pro 1 /2 event. The final race is expected to conclude at approximately 3 p.m. Local natural foods  supermarket Earth Fare will provide lunches both days for all staff and volunteers, as well as snacks for racers and spectators to sample on Saturday.

Individuals and teams are encouraged to register early before fields close at midnight on Friday, August 8th. Race fans will enjoy downtown restaurants, shops and nearby attractions, such as the Knoxville Museum of Art and the World's Fair Park. Registration information, the complete SRS schedule and event updates are available online at www.srs-racing.com/. Follow the event on Facebook (SoutheastRegionalSeries) and Twitter (SRSChampions).

The Southeast Regional Series presented by Stan's NoTubes is the only road racing series for amateur and elite cycling teams which offers points competitions spanning multiple states in one region. The series offers over $50,000 in cash and prizes this summer, across five weekends of racing in five states. SRS is managed by Start Smart Cycling and offers points and prizes at each weekend series. The series concludes in September in Greenville, S.C. when the top men and women will be presented with the overall award jerseys, based on points earned at all five races: SRS Overall Champion’s jersey, the green- and- white-striped PEZ Cycling News Sprinter’s Jersey, and the Stan’s NoTubes King of the Mountain/Queen of the Mountain jersey.  

Additional sponsors include Knoxville-based auto dealership Harper Auto Square and bicycle shop Cedar Bluff Cycles, Earth Fare, Hincapie Sportswear and Mountain Khakis®. As the official jersey sponsor, Hincapie Sportswear will provide custom jerseys for the category leaders. Mountain-inspired lifestyle apparel brand Mountain Khakis® will provide more than $5,000 in merchandise and prizes as the official apparel sponsor for the race. 

About Start Smart Cycling

Start Smart Cycling, LLC (SSC) is a professional event management and consultation company for the cycling industry. SSC provides planning expertise and on-site event implementation for cycling competitions and related activities across the U.S. In 2010 SSC was founded by President Marilyn Cullinane, who has over 14 years of experience in the cycling industry.  Her company has been involved for four years with successful Florida-based events such as the Miami Dolphins Cycling Challenge (ridedcc.com) and The Orange Blossom Special. Cullinane founded the Southeast Regional Series in 2013, the first-ever regional road cycling championship series in the U.S., sanctioned by USA Cycling.

 

Web Site – http://srs-racing.com/register/

Twitter – @SRSChampions
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