The USA Cycling National Pro Road, Crit, Time Trial, and Para-Cycling Championships will be held in Knoxville and Oak Ridge June 27-30. This will be the second time all U.S. national champions in professional road cycling will be crowned the same week under the organizational umbrella of one host community, a press release said.
“All are invited to join for an exciting, fast-paced national championship event held in your backyard!” the press release said.
Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson said the city “is pleased to welcome back the officials and participants of USA Cycling’s National Championships for a second year. The new route will take you through a challenging course in our neighborhoods as well as the speeding segments along Melton Hill Lake. We know you will enjoy the spectacle of world-class cycling within Oak Ridge and will learn about the unique sport that it is!”
On Thursday, June 27, a significant portion of Melton Lake Drive (MLD) will be shut down to through traffic to provide a closed-loop course.
Melton Lake Drive impact:A section of Melton Lake Drive will be closed from Palisades Parkway to Edgemoor Road to allow the course to be set up and for the closed-course loop. Residents may turn left from Palisades Parkway onto Melton Lake Drive, the press release said. The Rivers Run Blvd entrance onto Melton Lake Drive will be closed. All residents entering and exiting the Rivers Run, Royal Troon, or Rockbridge neighborhood may use the Rolling Links Boulevard entrance to turn right onto Melton Lake Drive until 10 a.m., the press release said.
Neighborhood impact: The Rivers Run, Rockbridge, and Royal Troon neighborhoods will be shut down from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., including the Rolling Links Boulevard entrance, as a part of the new time trial course, the press release said. In case of emergency, an ambulance and fire truck will be stationed at the entrance of the neighborhood.
“We invite residents to attend the exciting time trial national championships to watch professional and elite men and women compete,” aid the press release, submitted by Explore Oak Ridge. “This event truly consists of the best of the best in the nation, and you have a front row seat!”
Emory Valley Road access: Emory Valley Road will be closed from the Artesia Drive intersection to Melton Lake Drive beginning at 6 a.m. There will be no access onto Melton Lake Drive from Emory Valley Road. Residents off Amanda Drive or Emory Valley Road will need to take Antioch Drive, Baylor Drive, Baltimore Drive, etc. to exit the neighborhood, the press release said.
Reopening: All roads will tentatively be opened at 6 p.m.
For questions or information, call (865) 342-9292 or email [email protected].
More information will be added as it becomes available.
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