Pedal power-Hundreds compete in 17th Cycling Classic

Left: Competitors in the professional category jockey for the lead in the first turn of the downtown criterium Sunday afternoon. The hour-long race circles downtown McMinnville, Right: A time trialist gasps for air atop Harrison Ferry Mountain.

‘It went great and the cyclists were all complementary about the course and the organization,’ said Chamber of Commerce president Alicea Weddington of the two-day race. ‘Many of the racers say they love coming here every year not only because of the challenging courses but also because the people here are so welcoming.’

There were 326 entries in the three stages of the Cycling Classic which includes the Saturday 110-mile road race and the time trials up Harrison Ferry Mountain and the downtown criterium held Sunday.

The races had their share of drama as Weddington said there were at least four injuries in the various races, part of what racers admit are a professional hazard.

One rider injured his shoulder in the Van Buren County portion of the road race. A woman broke her wrist in a pile-up at the start-finish line Sunday at the criterium, and one rider sustained a mild concussion and head laceration when he crashed hard into a pole coming out of Morford onto Sparta Street on what racers call Dead Man’s Curve.

Weddington praised volunteers in the event noting it takes a small army to pull off the event.

‘It takes a village to put these on,’ Weddington said, noting there are literally hundreds who volunteer each year. ‘We also couldn’t do it without our sponsors.’

Weddington said entries were down a bit this year, she believes due to higher gas prices and the slowing economy. A post-race meeting will be held soon to begin planning for next year’s event with Weddington noting there is a chance the traditional Mother’s Day event may be moved to another date.