'High-speed criterium racing' returning to Greenville, Tour De France's Hincapie riding

Bike alongside Tour de France veterans at ONE City Plaza on April 25 as the Greenville Cycling Classic, presented by Prisma Health, will allow attendees to take a 20-minute ride alongside George Hincapie, Bobby Julich and Christian Vande Velde.

Beginning at 3 p.m., men's and women's professional and amateur cycling will occur along Main and Coffee Street. Bike races will continue through 9 p.m. to determine a winner in nine divisions, ranging from 30-minute rides to a 70-lap competition.

This race is part of the Speed Week race series, with nine races in South Carolina and Georgia.

"We're thrilled to bring high-speed criterium racing back to Greenville," Hincapie said. "This event will be a fantastic spring highlight for the entire community to enjoy."

Tour de France legends Julich, Vande Velde and Hincapie are offering the first 200 registered riders to a casual, one-kilometer speed criterium loop race that travels around downtown for 20 minutes beginning at 5:15 p.m.

Who is George Hincapie and the other Tour de France legends?

Hincapie is a former professional racing cyclist who competed alongside Lance Armstrong as his domestique or assisting rider on the U.S. PostalPro Cycling Team. He is also known for helping Alberto Contador and Cadel Evans to their first Tour de France victories in 2007 and 2011.

During Hincapie's 27-year professional cycling career, he won three U.S. Professional Road Race championships and finished second in the 2005 Paris-Roubaix, which still stands as the highest-placing American ranking for that specific race.

In October 2012, Hincapie admitted to using banned substances during his career and received a six-month ban and loss of race results between May 2004 and July 2006.

The New York native, now a Greenville resident, has had the Hincapie name in Greenville pro and amateur cycling since the Michelin Cycling Classic in 1994. His footprint in the Upstate also includes a stake in Hotel Domestique and Restaurant 17, which has an on-site vineyard and pathways for cycling lessons. He has brought various international cyclists to the area to train and compete in Traveler's Rest and downtown Greenville.

Hincapie will host the Gran Fondo Hincape in Greenville on October 19, 2024.

How do I attend the Greenville Cycling Classic?

This is a free event; however, amateur and professional cyclists looking to compete still have time to register. Fees to participate in the races range between $40 and $60. Winners can win cash prizes up to $6,000.

Ages 12 and up can join the ride with Tour de France legends, and the pool limit is 200 people. The registration deadline for all events is April 24 at 5 p.m.

The racing path will expand between East North Street, East McBee Avenue, and South Laurens Street and South Brown Street.

What roads will be closed during the race?

Road closures for the event will be in place from noon to 11 p.m. on April 25. They will include:- Main Street, from McBee Avenue to East North Street- East North Street, from North Main to Brown Streets- Brown Street, from East North Street to McBee Avenue- McBee Avenue, from South Brown Street to South Laurens Street- South Laurens Street, from West McBee Avenue to West Washington Street- Washington Street, from South Laurens to Brown streets

For more information, visit greenvillecyclingclassic.com

– A.J. Jackson covers the food & dining scene, along with arts, entertainment and downtown culture for The Greenville News. Contact him by email at ajackson@gannett.com, and follow him on X (formally Twitter) @ajhappened. This coverage is only possible with support from our readers.Sign up today for a digital subscription.