This years Joe Martin Stage Race will see some of the biggest format changes in its long standing history. We are looking forward to the Thursday finish on top of Mount Sequoyah! Check out all the prime viewing locations for the professional racers!
A change of format in 2018 will see the first stage now a road race. This race will finish on top of the iconic Mount Sequoyah by way of Spring Street over to Assemby and then through the gates for a true uphill finish. This will have great energy with spectators lining our hilly streets to get an upclose and personal view of what a pro cyclists experiences at the end of a long day in the saddle! Specific course informaiton to be announced.
A bike race finish is an all-out sprint that no matter how tired the riders are or how long they’ve been in the saddle; they sprint like there is no tomorrow! Come enjoy the shopping, restaurants, live music and happy hours before and after the races. Oh did we mention – fans and spectators of a bike racing event pay no admission – it’s FREE!
The second event is a road race for the Pro category Women 1,2 and Men 1, as well as the Men 1,2 categories. The finishes of all three races will be on Church Street in the heart of downtown Fayetteville and the retail and entertainment district of Fayetteville. The anticipated finish for the women’s race is approximately 2:45 PM, the Men 1,2 race 3:15 PM and the Pro men’s race is 4:00 PM.
A bike race finish is an all-out sprint that no matter how tired the riders are or how long they’ve been in the saddle; they sprint like there is no tomorrow! Come enjoy the shopping, restaurants, live music and happy hours before and after the races. Oh did we mention – fans and spectators of a bike racing event pay no admission – it’s FREE!
If you’ve not been to Devil’s Den State Park before, you’re in for a real treat. Be sure to visit in the fall, the leaves are spectacular! The third event is a time trial for the Pro category Women 1,2 and Men 1, as well as the Men 1,2 categories only. Devil’s Den State Park is the site of the Thursday afternoon event, an uphill “Time Trial”. Race Schedule to see the estimated start times in the time trial for all categories. Go to the start and catch some of the action as riders leave the start house; walk up the course (be careful of riders) or the finish line. Seeing these competitors cross the line completely exhausted is inspiring, emotional and a little a painful. Directions to Devil’s Den State Park, 1133 West Arkansas Highway 74 Winslow, Arkansas 72959. Depending upon arrival time, you must use the appropriate entry to the park. Before 11am arrival – take I-49 south to exit 45, turn west/right on Hwy. 74. After 11am arrival – take I-49 south to exit 53, turn west/right and then proceed south on Hwy 170 to Devil’s Den State Park. See Course Details and Maps for more information.
But the best viewing of all the events is on Sunday. As the racers will be on a 1.1 mile loop in downtown Fayetteville for the criterium. The racing starts at 8am with the first amateur categories. The professional women and men start later in the day at 2pm and at 3pm. There is also a free kids race 1:45pm. There will be many great spots to view the race. I recommend you walk around and watch the racers negotiate some of the corners on this very technical course. Lap after lap they will tackle the hill on Church Street which has been renamed by the locals as Church Hill Hell. This is a great place to view the race as the riders begin to wear down lap after lap. There is normally a rowdy group of spectators who call themselves The Friends of Church Hill armed with Bells, bacon & Bloody Mary’s. Did you know that bacon hand-ups are a thing? Word on the street is that The Friends of Church Hill will be out in full force with Bloody’s, Bells & Bacon again this year. Folks get outside with the family and enjoy the beautiful spring weather and some top shelf bicycle racing.
For a schedule of events click here.
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