Race under way, drivers beware of detours around village square
The largest competitive cycling event in the United States, the Tour of America’s Dairyland, is in East Troy from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. today as a part of the 11-day series.
The East Troy Cycling Classic features eight hours of high-energy professional cycling around the Historic Village Square and nearby streets.
The Brewers Famous Racing Sausages will make an appearance at this year’s event from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
East Troy returns to its spot on the second day of the tour, which kicks off in Shorewood on June 19 and concludes in East Tosa on June 29.
The East Troy race start and finish will be outside the East Troy Area Chamber of Commerce office, 2096 Church St. The cyclists will ride laps around the half-mile course between 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. for timed races that range from 40 to 90 minutes.
The race will shut down streets on the course, but local businesses will remain open. Parking will be available in the Chester Byrnes lot, 2031 Division St.
Admission is free and spectators may watch the races anywhere on the race-course, including on the square where local vendors will offer a variety of food items and beer, soda and water.
The band rING will play from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Depot Express will perform classic rock hits from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Members of the East Troy High School Choir will sing the national anthem prior to the Pro Men’s Race at 6 p.m.
A raffle will be held to win a Trek bike from Won-A-Go Biking in Mukwonago. Tickets will be sold at the Chamber office and local businesses prior to and the day of the bike race for $5 each.
The title sponsor for the East Troy Cycling Classic is the Dennis and Janice Klumb Family Foundation, which put up half of the bid fees to host the race. The East Troy Area Chamber of Commerce serves as the local host, with funding for the balance of the fees donated by other local and regional sponsors.
The race series, produced by Midwest Cycling Series, LLC, is now in its sixth year.
2013 was a record-breaking fifth year for the Tour of America’s Dairyland, sponsored by Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, featuring 6,200 starting cyclists from 13 countries and 43 of the United States competing for more than $150,000 in cash and primes before 150,000 spectators.
Kids Fun Races
The Tour de Square Kids Fun Races will give children the chance to compete like the pros as they pedal their two, three or four wheel bikes fast and furiously toward the finish line.
The first race starts at 5:30 p.m. All racers must meet at the East Troy Village Municipal Parking Lot, on the corner of Church and Austin streets, by 5:15 p.m.
The first 100 entries will receive goodie bags and a carton of chocolate milk. There is no entry fee, but registration is required. Medals will be awarded to the top three places in three age categories, tricycles/big wheels (age 4 and younger), training wheels/two wheels (ages 4-7) and two wheels only (ages 8-11). All children must wear helmets.
Entry forms are available at www.easttroywi.org or pre-register the day of the race at the Chamber information booth on the East Troy Village Square.
