Tour of the Valley grows larger, more exciting with age

By GREG GULAS

sports@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

Like a fine wine that seems to get better with age, the Tour of the Valley bicycle race attracts a larger, more competitive field each year.

Sunday’s final competition, which rode through the campus of Youngstown State University, drew more than 340 competitors which was up nearly 75 from a year ago.

Most all agreed the Mahoning Valley’s premiere bicycle race is only getting bigger and better.

”You would be hard pressed to find a better field than the one that is here in Youngstown this weekend.

“With national champion David Wenger and many other past, multiple national champions here today, this is undoubtedly the most attractive field in the nation this weekend,” race announcer and Columbus native J. Baumeister said.

Erik Hamilton of Indiana took top honors in the Men’s Pro, Category 1-2 competition while Christine Schryvner, a Rochester, N.Y. native, earned top laurels in the Women’s, Category 1-2 event.

Read complete coverage of Tour of the Valley in the news and sports sections of The Vindicator on Monday and on Vindy.com