Tour of the Valley adds YSU to course

The biggest change to this year’s Tour of the Valley cycling event is a criterium course that includes Youngstown State University.

Race director Dan Quinlan said the July 10 criterium will be more challenging. Last year’s course was downtown and did not include YSU. “

“They’ve replaced Hazel Street [so] we have this great new little corridor that we get up through with the bicycles,” Quinlan said. “We thought that there’s no better venue in this downtown area.”

The change helps Quinlan create a tougher course to inspire top cyclists to participate. The Tour is hoping to top last year’s number of 350 participants.

Other events include a time trial on July 8 in Berlin Center and a road-course through Columbiana County on July 9.