The Johnson City Omnium starts for its’ 13th consecutive year the first weekend in June (Saturday, June 1 and Sunday, June 2).

The races on the scenic roads in Carter, Unicoi and Washington Counties, follow the same routes as in past years.

These are known to cyclists as the most challenging racing east of the Rockies.

Returning this year is Luisa Fernanda Montavita (Colombian National Team) from Bogota, Colombia. Montavita won the Johnson City Omnium Women’s Pro/Am last year, finishing fourth in the Carter County Roan Groan, second in the Tupelo Honey Time Trial and second in the Ballad Health Criterium.

Reflecting on her performance last year, Montavita said “Johnson City was a beautiful experience. I was very satisfied with my performance and also with the race organization. I was very happy with my team and for the opportunity to race there.

“It was a tough race with a difficult road race a short time trial and with a technically challenging criterium. I go there this year with high expectations and hope to be able to defend my title from last year. I am motivated and also eager to represent Colombia in the best possible manner.”

Returning with Montavita is her teammate Rocio Parrado, also of Bogota, Colombia. Parrado finished second in the Omnium, with a first in the Carter County Roan Groan, a tenth in the Tupelo Honey Time Trial and a fourth in the Ballad Health Criterium.

Montavita and Parrado will be joined by at least two other Colombian National teammates.

Early registration numbers are up 18% from 2018. Many current TBAR champions and riders vying for the 2019 TBAR championships are registered. The Johnson City Omnium is the only three-race weekend with maximum championship points currently on the racing calendar.

In the men’s 60+ division challenger Kent Bostick, (CTS Cycling Team), from Knoxville, is returning.

He is a past Olympian, multiple world record holder, three-time Masters World Champion and current Masters 65+ TBAR Champion (Tennessee Best All-Round) racer.

With his experience racing all over the world, he says Johnson City Omnium has, “Some of the most challenging courses available for racing.”

Timothy Killelea, (Nashville Local Cycling), is the current Category 2 TBAR Champion. After his competition in the Johnson City Omnium last year, he advanced to the highest amateur category (Category 1).

This year Killelea is racing in the Omnium as a Pro/1 trying to become the 2019 Pro/1 TBAR Champion. He is currently in second place in that competition.

The best venue for racing is also the best venue for watching the spectacular competition. Watching is free on Sunday, June 2 in downtown Johnson City— you can see the cyclists’ race by from the restaurants, brewery’s and sidewalks on the course. Amateurs races begin at 8:30 am, the Kids Fun Lap starts at 1:45 pm; the Pro/Am Women’s race starts at 2 pm for 40 minutes followed by the last race, the Pro/Am men at 3 pm for 90 minutes.

More information is available on www.jcomnium.co

Proceeds from the races go to the Science Hill High School NICA racing team, Northeast Tennessee Cycling NICA racing team, Johnson City Morning Rotary Foundation, Milligan Women’s Elite Cycling and Carter County Amateur Radio Club.

Sponsors are Ballad Health, Johnson City Chamber of Commerce, Carter County Chamber of Commerce, Edward Jones Curt Alexander, Nor-Well, Empower Electric, Carter County Parks and Recreation, Carter County Bank and Holiday Inn.