Then again, maybe not.
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Derek Kidd of Greenwood will be amongst the blur of colorful bicycles and uniforms and national and international riders in Thursday’s fifth annual Uptown Greenwood Pro Cycling Challenge.
A purse of $10,000 will be up for grabs in Greenwood when Olympians, Tour de France veterans and champions from the United States, Canada, Italy, Argentina, Mexico, Serbia, Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand compete in the 50-mile, multi-lap criterium event. |
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Many of the riders who competed in the Tour de Georgia April 16-22 will be here.
Kidd is the only local competitor in a field that spans the globe. The 35-year-old professional hopes the local residents understand the enormity of the race.
“It seems that the community is becoming more aware of what is actually taking place,” Kidd said of the race that has been an annual event here since 2003. “This is like having the Super Bowl in our back yard with the best cyclists in the world here in our community. However I would love to see more faces out there this year.”
The criterium route will be different this year due to construction along Maxwell Avenue with the start/finish line and main stage located in front of the County Courthouse.
The clockwise course starts on Monument Street, turns right on to Oak Street, to Main Street (adjacent to the fountain parking lot), to Court Avenue, back onto Main Street, to Marion Avenue and back to Monument Street. The course will have a new “s” curve at Main/Court.
The riders will make approximately 55 laps at consistent speeds as high as 25-35 miles per hour on aerodynamic bicycles made of a variety of different metals that cost in the thousands of dollars. The race allows for up-close viewing with cool breezes provided courtesy of the riders who are sometimes just inches apart.
Kidd said the race is exciting to watch even for someone who knows nothing about bicycle racing.
“I truly believe anyone and everyone would enjoy this race,” he said. “People can’t fathom the speed until they are actually out there watching. People like carnage and when we hit the ground at 35 miles per hour, there is a substantial amount of carnage. It’s like NASCAR on two wheels.”
The carnage Kidd refers to is nothing serious, just minor cuts and bruises from impressive collisions when the wheels become a little too close. An accident collected several riders here one year.
The spills are limited occurrences in a race that shows off the speed and all-out endurance of the riders. Ivan Dominguez, known as the “Cuban Missile,” has won the race the last two years but will be competing in another event with his Toyota Team in New York. So there will be a new champion Thursday.
“It is very difficult to win any race back-to-back and especially a race of this caliber,” Kidd said of Dominguez. “He and so many of these guys are of a different breed. But every rider and every team has a legitimate chance to win. It will come down to the smartest team with the strongest rider that day.”
New this year in Greenwood is the addition of a women’s professional race. The women’s race will run 40 kilometers and start at 5:30 p.m.
“I’m super excited about women racing here this year,” Kidd said. “They fly at break neck speeds as well and look good doing it.”
In addition, Uptown Greenwood will host children’s activities prior to the main race. Children are invited to participate in a bicycle rodeo, a safety clinic and a free helmet giveaway starting at 5:30 p.m. Children’s bicycle races will be held at 6:30 p.m. on the same course the pros will use.
Children’s activities will take place in the fountain parking lot. Helmets and other items will be given while supplies last. Children wishing to enter youth races must have a helmet and have a parent present to sign a waiver form.
“Child bike safety is key for their enjoyment as well as for safety,” Kidd said. “If we can get kids wearing the proper safety gear now, it won’t be as ‘un-cool’ when they become teens. I love watching the kids race because they are the future of this sport.”
Kidd is competing for a sixth year on the Reality Bikes Elite Team. Teammate Nathan Race recently won the South Carolina State Crit Championship.
Kidd has tasted success as well.
“I have finished on the podium many times in my career,” he said. “My best finish in the pro circuit is second with many top five finishes.”
Kidd grew up playing tennis and volleyball and running in Greenwood. He began cycling about 10 years ago.
“Racing my bicycle has literally changed my life,” Kidd said. “It has made me grow as a man mentally, spiritually, and physically. I made some pretty bad decisions as a young adult and started down the wrong road until I bought a bike for transportation. I started riding, tried racing, and now have raced full time since 1998. I now have my goals set on the 2008 Masters National Champion.”
Kidd rides 6-7 days per week, totaling 300-350 miles over 15-20 hours every week during the racing season.
“I still run in the off season to stay fit and break the monotony of cycling seven days a week,” he said. “Once I started racing bikes and becoming halfway decent with it, then figuring out how much time it would take to compete, I had to give up all other sports.”
Kidd’s workouts are scheduled around full-time employment with Performance Cycle of Greenwood.
“I was brought into Performance Cycle to open the bicycle end of the business,” Kidd said of the business that supplies everything from motors to pedals. “I also help with sales of the motor sports end as well.”
Uptown Greenwood streets will be blocked off to traffic. Vendors will be set up along the race route, selling barbecue, hot dogs, drinks, ice cream, etc., and restaurants will be open. The race will go on as scheduled rain or shine, starting at approximately 7 p.m. Among the events planned include a Live After Five concert beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Countybank Plaza featuring Augusta, GA’s Sabo and the Scorchers.
For additional information, visit Uptown Pro Cycling webpage or call (864) 942-8448.