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Cyclists set to tour Valley again on Friday
By Greg Gulas
YOUNGSTOWN
The fifth annual Tour of the Valley bicycle race returns to the Mahoning Valley on Friday when 350 cyclists are expected to kick-off the three-day competition during time trials at Mastropietro’s Winery, 14558 County Road 116, Berlin Center.
The eco-friendly competition, which is also expected to attract more than 4,000 spectators, will include a Saturday road race competition that will begin and end at Columbiana High School while the event will conclude Sunday with its Criterium, scheduled for the main streets in downtown Youngstown.
“In today’s ever-changing economy, families are beginning to do more with less. Tour of the Valley remains free to all spectators while last summer alone the races attracted pro cyclists, their supporters as well as community leaders, friends, families and children of all ages,” said J.R. Petsko, director of Appalachian Bicycle Association. “This racing weekend also creates an economic surplus with thousands of people securing hotel accommodations, dining in local restaurants and exploring the Valley’s entertainment and educational venues.”
Categories include Men’s Pro 1/2; Men’s Cat 3; Men’s Cat 4/5; Master’s 40-plus; Master’s 50-plus; Women’s Cat 1/2/3; Women’s Cat 4; Men’s Cat 5 and Juniors as well as a Team competition.
Racers hail from as far north as Canada and as far south as Florida and are expected to get things underway Friday with individual time trials that are slated for Mastropietro’s Winery.
“Racers will get in their ‘aero position’ in order to maximize speed and beat the clock. Riders will start individually at 30 second intervals and the fastest time wins,” Petsko said. “This stage is very important as Pro riders do not want to lose too much time from the first day of competition with just two stages remaining.”
Paul Martin of North Royalton, a member of Team Panther/Blakehouse, returns to defend his Pro Champion title while defending women’s Pro Champion, Christine Schryver, who is a native of Rochester, N.Y., and member of Team Full Moon Visits, is also set for a return visit as she defends her crown from last season.
For Saturday’s Columbiana Road Race, participants will wake up bright and early to a 35-mile course across the hills of Columbiana County or two laps and 70 total miles of intense road work for all Pro entries.
Last year’s Cat 3 Team Champions, a hip squad which represents Dynamic Physical Therapy, is also slated to defend their crown.
The team, which hails from Morgantown, West Virginia, includes riders Billy Slutz, Shawn Geiger, Devin Corboy, EJ Hubstenburger and Stephanie Lamb.
The weekend will then conclude with a power criterium race, slated for Downtown Youngstown.
Speeds in excess of 35 miles per hour are expected during the Pro event while the course is a four- corner race with participants zooming past the tall buildings that line both Commerce and Federal Streets.
“The speed and excitement of the Pro race is sure to get everyone’s attention, but all races will be great entertainment. You can bring cowbells to root for your favorite racers at either the start or finish lines,” Petsko said. “Our criterium event is sure to give spectators an eye-opening look into the sport of cycling with the weekend concluding Sunday after the awards presentation, which will honor overall winners in each racing category.”
Friday’s competition at Mastropietro’s Winery will begin at 5 p.m., Saturday’s road race at Columbiana High School starts at 9 a.m. while Sunday’s festivities in Downtown Youngstown will kick-off at 8 a.m.