This weekend's USA Cycling professional road and time trial championships are being held, for the first time in the event's 28-year history, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, after many years in Greenville, South Carolina.
And Chattanooga's best-known bike company, American Bicycle Group, the parent company of Litespeed and?Quintana Roo, is making the most of the opportunity.
Litespeed is the official bike sponsor for several of the weekend's events, including Saturday's Cycling for Miracles Charity Ride, as well as the time trial championships event and the men's and women's road races on Monday.
"We couldn't be more excited." said Peter Hurley, ABG's chief executive. "We love building bikes, of course, and we love Chattanooga. But, above all, our entire staff are cycling enthusiasts and, frankly, fanatics. Throughout the weekend, you'll see my team participating in the charity ride, holding down the booth at the expo, and offering a chance to demo our newest bikes. With so much going on, we have a lot of ground to cover but, without a doubt, we've got all hands on deck."
"Litespeed bikes are shipped to every part of the world but it's really a joy to have the cycling community's best teams and elite athletes visit us right here in our very own city. It's a big weekend for Litespeed, but it's an even bigger stage for Chattanooga. So, come on down and join us."
The racing begins Saturday at 8:30 a.m. with the U.S. Handcycling Series Time Trial. The top women cyclists are slated to contest the time trial beginning at 11 a.m. before the men take the course at 2 p.m.
The women's road race opens Monday's racing at 9 a.m., when they'll begin their 102-kilometer contest. The handcycling criterium national championship is slated to begin at 12:30 p.m. The 165-kilometer pro men's road race, which begins at 1:15 p.m., caps the event.
Fans can follow the action throughout the weekend on the mobile device?Tour Tracker application. In addition, Universal Sports will broadcast the final two hours of the men's road race live?from 4-6 p.m. EDT on Monday.
A one-hour recap show is scheduled to be broadcast on NBC Sports Network at 1 p.m. EDT on Sunday, June 2.
