Off to the Races

Cycle mania arrives in Downtown on Sunday, July 11, when the Capital Criterium race returns following a one-year hiatus. This year’s course will run on Pennsylvania Avenue between 9th and 13th Streets and up to F Street, from 8:15 am to 3:00 pm.

What a day! Spectators will be able to enjoy three amateur women’s and men’s elite races; four separate children’s races, categorized by age group; a CapCrit Lifestyle Expo—featuring cycling, green and Italian-American exhibitors, live music and other goings-on—and the GiroDC2012 Celeb Charity Ride.

The latter two activities will be held to support DC’s bid to host two stages of the 2012 Giro d’Italia, one of cycling’s three Grand Tours and a counterpart to the Tour de France. Talk about a big deal! If DC is successful, the race will mark the first time one of the sport’s most prominent races will conduct a stage outside of Europe.

Don’t miss the 105-minute Men Pro race, the highlight of the world-class competition. Regarded as the most challenging courses on the professional criterium circuit, the 1.3 kilometer course—just under a mile—features seven turns, including a doozy that will make your hair stand up on end.

Capital Criterium, also known as CapCrit, is the fifth stop of the nine-race USA CRITS series of professional cycling criteriums, or short course races. The Washington Convention and Sports Authority (WCSA) is this year’s presenting sponsor. In 2009, CapCrit was postponed in DC because it lacked a major sponsor.

All race day activities are free and open to the public and will be held rain or shine. For more information, click here.