CHARLESTON, W.Va. –The USA Cycling Pro Road National Championships drew a large crowd to Charleston on Wednesday, giving spectators a firsthand look at the fast-paced action of criterium racing.
Criterium racing, or crit racing, is a fast-paced bicycle race typically held on a closed circuit and featuring multiple laps around a short course.
For this course, cyclists started on Kanawha Boulevard, turned onto Court Street, then Lee Street, Summers Street, Quarrier Street and Hale Street before returning to the boulevard.
Wednesday evening, junior women and junior men competed in their respective races. Emma Jimenez Palos won the junior women’s race, while Gregory Debenedetti claimed victory in the junior men’s event. Under-23 women and men also took to the course.
California native Luke Fetzer also competed in Wednesday’s criterium race.
Fetzer said on MetroNews Midday before the race that it was his third year competing in Charleston and that he is always welcomed by friendly people and scenic roads.
“It’s just so pretty out in the mountains, it’s a place most kids my age don’t get to come, you know a lot of people they don’t think of Charleston has a vacation destination, but it’s great coming here, it’s such a unique place, it’s got a real charm to it that nowhere in California has,” Fetzer said.
Local resident Steve Foster was among those watching the races Wednesday.
He said he believes criterium racing draws large crowds because of its fast-paced action.
“I think it’s just the fast paced of it, and the excitement in the cornering and see who’s going to come out ahead the next time around and how if they can make it through the cornering without a problem,” Foster said.
He also said the event provides a great opportunity to showcase everything Charleston has to offer to visitors.
“I think it’s exciting when you have people all over the country and even the world come and we can showcase Charleston, like we have such a beautiful city to do it with all the green, and the river, and the city, it’s just a wonderful thing to be a part of,” Foster said.
Another local fan, Bradley Ross, said it’s great for the state to host the races because bicycling is an activity many residents enjoy.
“I think it’s great for the Mountain State because a lot of people ride bikes and it’s an outdoor sport that people do in this area,” Ross said.
The criterium races will continue Thursday evening, with elite women and men competing for national titles.
Texas native Lucas Bourgoyne is among the cyclists set to compete Thursday evening. He also appeared on MetroNews Midday on Wednesday ahead of the race.
Bourgoyne said criterium racing is electric, especially on the course selected in Charleston.
“It’s a party on two wheels, it’s electric when you get out on that course, and especially like ya’ll put it down one of the coolest strips in downtown Charleston,” he said.
He said he’s excited to return because last year’s atmosphere was amazing, adding that enthusiastic crowds help make the races special.
“The city really came around it last year and it made it an absolutely incredible experience to race and be a part of, and that’s what we kind of look for is, it’s all about the atmosphere on the day, and if you have a heck of an atmosphere, there’s nothing you can’t do, Bourgoyne said.
The elite women’s race begins Thursday at 6:30 p.m., followed by the elite men’s race at 8 p.m.
The events will continue through Sunday, June 21.
A full schedule and maps can be found at charlestonwv.com.