LAWRENCE, KS. – Preparations for hosting the 2006 USA Cycling Collegiate Road Nationals in Lawrence, May 12-14, are underway and include a new day and revised course for the downtown criterium.
According to Christopher Hess, technical director of the event, the downtown criterium has been moved from Friday to Sunday to accommodate local merchant interests.
“Downtown merchants were very supportive of the 2005 event, but also concerned about the commercial impact on customers,” said Hess. “We’ve worked with Bob Sanner, Director of the Conventions and Sports Bureau of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, to develop this change which has been warmly received by the merchants.”
The adjusted downtown criterium course will start at the intersection of 9th and Massachusetts and continue south with turns (east) on 8th, south on New Hampshire, west on 7th, north for three blocks on Vermont, east on 10th and the finish at the same location as the start point. The major switch in the course is the addition of Vermont Street and a more limited use of New Hampshire.
“In addition to moving the course to Sunday, it has now been revised to include eight corners which provides a more challenging and technical venue for the competitors,” said Hess. “It also provides more opportunity for spectators and vendors, along with minimizing impact on church services in the downtown area.”
The new schedule for the USA Cycling Collegiate Road Nationals, which returns to Lawrence for the second consecutive year, will feature the Team Time Trial on Friday (on the same closed stretch of K-10 as last year), followed by the Saturday road race at Lake Perry, and concluding with the criterium in downtown on Sunday. Nearly 300 riders representing collegiate teams in both men’s and women’s divisions are expected for this year’s competition.
This year’s event is managed by an eight-person local organizing committee with representatives from the Lawrence Sports Corporation, KU Cycling, Star Signs, and technical directors Christopher and Kerri Hess.
For updates on the USA Cycling Collegiate Road Nationals go to www.kucycling.com and click on “Nationals.”