Roan Groan, Carter County Omnium return this weekend
Published 3:21 pm Tuesday, May 30, 2023
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File Photo Bikers face four turns on a half-mile Criterium course which is timed.
File Photo Bikers race through the streets of Elizabethton in the 2022 Criterium race.
File Photo Cyclists leave Cat Island on the first leg of the Roan Groan to the top of Roan Mountain in the 2022 Roan Groan.
File Photo A group of cyclists race through Hampton on their way to the top of Roan Mountain at Carver's Gap in the Roan Groan.
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STAR CORRESPONDENT
The streets and roads of Elizabethton and Carter County will once again be filled with bikers this upcoming weekend as the 2023 Carter County Omnium is slated to take place on Saturday, June 3 and Sunday, June 4.
This continues the three-race event in East Tennessee since 2006, with cash prizes of over $10,000 up for grabs. The points stage race combines a major climbing road race, the Roan Groan, with a short time trial and a criterium (closed circuit race).
Participants have used this race in preparation for competing in the Tour de France and the Tour of California with some even becoming National Champions.
The race allows spectators to be up close and personal as the bikers zoom by during the criterium course.
In the Roan Groan, a category 1 climb of 7.4 miles and 2,580- feet to Carvers Gap will highlight that race while the Pro 1-2 field will do an additional loop of the Simerly Creek Road for a total of 80 miles and a total of 9,747 feet of climbing.
The Elite Masters, Women Pro 1/2, and Category 3s will do the 55-mile course with a total of 7,020 feet of climbing.
All other participating categories will complete 30 miles of riding covering 4,040 feet of climbing.
The Criterium, sponsored by Ballad Health, features four turns in a half-mile distance.
Action on Saturday gets underway from Cat Island Park at 9 am for the beginning of the Roan Groan. Sunday’s events begin at 8:20 am and will be ongoing throughout the afternoon with the final race scheduled for 3 pm in downtown Elizabethton.
For those traveling in the Elizabethton area on Sunday, please be aware of the following road closures in effect from 6 am to 6 pm:
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East Elk Ave from Sycamore to Academy Street will be closed to all traffic from 6 am to 6 pm.
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East Elk Ave. from Armed Forces Drive to Sycamore Street will be closed to through traffic. Business owners on the 500 Block of Elk Ave. will be able to access their businesses and churchgoers will be able to access the Alliance Church.
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Sycamore Street from Hattie Ave. to D Street will be closed to all traffic.
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Hattie Ave from Sycamore Street to South Riverside will be closed to all traffic.
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Riverside from Hattie to Mapes Drive will be closed to all traffic.
