FAYETTEVILLE -- Since the spring of 1978, cycling enthusiast from around the country have been coming to Fayetteville for a celebration of cycling.
Now entering the 38th year of competition, the Joe Martin Stage Races are one of the premier cycling events in the nation, drawing elite competitive cyclists and amateur enthusiast alike from all over the world.
At A Glance
38th Joe Martin Stage Race
Today
At Devil’s Den State Park
Pro elite time trial
Pro Men 1^1 p.m.^2.7 miles
Pro Women 1/2^2:30 p.m.^2.7 miles
Men 1/2^3:30 p.m.^2.7 miles
Friday
Dickson Street, Fayetteville (finish)
Road race
Pro Men 1^2 p.m.^110 miles
Pro Women 1/2^2:30 p.m.^64 miles
Men 1/2^1:15 p.m.^110 miles
Saturday
Amateur USAC-only time trial
At Devil’s Den State Park
Master Men Group B^8 a.m.^2.5 miles
All others^TBA^2.5 miles
Road race
In Prairie Grove
Pro Women 1/2^11:15 a.m.^63 miles
Master Men Group B^11:30 a.m.^40 miles
Men 4^11:40 a.m.^40 miles
Men 5^11:45 a.m.^40 miles
Women 3/4^11:50 a.m.^40 miles
Master Women 40-plus^11:50 a.m.^40 miles
Pro Men 1^2:45 p.m.^109 miles
Men 1/2^2:55 p.m.^86 miles
Master Men A^3 p.m.^63 miles
Men 3^3:10 p.m.^63 miles
Sunday
Criterium
Downtown Fayetteville
Women 3/4^7:45 a.m.^25 minutes
Master Women 40/50^8:20 a.m.^25 minutes
Men Cat 4^8:55 a.m.^35 minutes
Master Men A^9:40 a.m.^45 minutes
Master Men B^10:30 a.m.^35 minutes
Men 3^11:15 a.m.^45 minutes
Pro Women 1/2^12:10 p.m.^50 minutes
Cruiser Parade^1:15 p.m.^Parade lap
Kid’s Ride (ages 3-12)^1:15 p.m.
Pro Men 1^2 p.m.^85 minutes
Men 1/2^3:30 p.m.^50 minutes
Men 5^4:40 p.m.^25 minutes
For more detailed information, visit joemartinstagerace.…
While this is the 38th year as an amateur event, it is the 13th year on the National Race Calendar. This year, the event was also added to the Union Cyclists International American Tour.
"Racers come to Fayetteville once and they want to come back," race director Bruce Dunn said. "They love the track with the hills and scenic routes that make for great racing. We get a lot of people that say they came for the race and then they come back later with the families and take vacations around Fayetteville."
Joe Martin was a Fayetteville resident that got the first Fayetteville Spring Classic Cycle started in 1978. When Martin passed away in 1988, the races were renamed in his honor and the event has continued to grow each year.
The event is a four-day, four stage event with categories for men, women, pros, amateurs and seniors. More than 700 athletes from all 50 states and more than 20 countries are expected to compete. This year the women's field is expected to be the largest of any race in the nation.
Races begin today with the Uphill Time Trials at Devil's Den. Racers are timed over a 2.7 mile course with a 6.8 percent grade.
"That is one of the toughest events," Dunn said. "It is a test for even the most experienced riders."
Friday, the Pro Men's road race covers 110 miles over country roads and the womens' races is a 64-mile race.
"There is a lot of strategy involved and the road race is where you really see the teams work together," Dunn said.
Saturday will feature an afternoon road race at Devil's Den and Sunday will feature the criterium races in downtown Fayetteville all day.
"The criterium is really the most spectator friendly event and kind of the highlight of the week," Dunn said. "It's a short course with a lot of turns and climbs around downtown and the spectators can come out and watch some great racing up close. They will be running full speed right down Dickson Street and up and around the square."
Sports on 04/23/2015