French Broad Cycling Classic 2012
Road Race
Sponsored by: Liberty Bicycles
UPDATE (6/29/2012): Mens Pro 1/2 Road Race purse increased to $1000!
The 2012 French Broad Cycling Classic Road Race will be held on Saturday, July 21st.
This is a challenging road course that will take riders through some of the most scenic areas Madison County has to offer. The course will be open to traffic and the yellow line rule will be strictly enforced. It is a point-to-point race course, and riders will need to ride back to the start (in Marshall, NC) on their own. The return route is marked. Note that no car support or parking will be allowed on any portion of the road course before, during, or after the race. Bib numbers must be placed on the right side.
French Broad Cycling Classic 2012 - Road Race: Schedule, categories, and purse:
Category Start Time Distance Purse
Pro, Cat 1,2 8:00AM 40 miles $1000/10
Masters 35+ (Cat 1-4) 8:10AM 40 miles $200/5
Cat 3 8:20AM 40 miles $200/5
Women Cat 1,2 8:30AM 40 miles $200/5*
Cat 4, Masters 50+ (Cat 1-4) 8:40AM 40 miles $200/5, $200/5
Women Cat 3,4 8:50AM 40 miles $100/3
Cat 5/Citizens 9:00AM 40 miles Medals/3
Masters 60+ 9:10AM 40 miles $200/5
Juniors** 12:00PM 16 miles Medals/3
* Women’s Pro 1, 2 payout will be the greater of $200 OR 50% of combined Women’s Pro 1,2 Road Race entry fees.
** Please see the Junior’s page for details.
Course description: The road race course for all categories, except juniors, is a 40-mile undulating course with two (2) major climbs and several long and short hills with approximately 4000 feet of climbing. It is a point-to-point course that starts in downtown Marshall, NC, and finishes at the top of Walnut Creek Road (a mountain-top finish). Riders will need to ride back to the parking/start area in Marshall, NC on their own by descending down Walnut Creek Road on the back side of the mountain. The ride back to the parking/start area is approximately 8 miles long. The return route is marked. Small gearing for this event is highly recommended. See course map and profile page as well as a cue sheet. Also see the map and profile of the 8-mile return to the parking/start area.
The Course can be viewed on strava:
http://app.strava.com/segments/684524/embed
There are two major climbs.
Climb 1:
http://app.strava.com/segments/616174/embed
Climb 2:
http://app.strava.com/segments/616175/embed
Directions(to Marshall): From Asheville, on I-240, take exit 4A to US 19/23 (new I-26) North. Take Marshall exit 19A onto US 25/70. Go 6.5 miles and turn left on Business 25/70 (signs to Marshall). At stop sign turn right to head north on NC 251. Go 500 feet and turn left on Main Street. Proceed to the second light and turn left to go over the bridge. Follow directions for parking. GPS users can use the address 7 Main St., Marshall, NC to get into town and within proximity of volunteers who can direct racers to parking.
Parking/Registration: Both will be located on the west side of the French Broad River on Blennerhassett Island. The entrance is immediately to the right after crossing the bridge. Follow the signs. Online pre-registration will be available via www.pre-reg.com but will close promptly at 10:00PM (Eastern time) Friday, July 20th. On-site, “Day of” registration will open at 7:00AM Saturday, and will close 30 minutes prior to the race.
Note: You must compete in the Time Trial, Road Race and Criterium to be eligible for the Omnium.
Map to Road Race Parking and Registration:
