Tour of America’s Dairyland returns to East Troy today
The largest competitive cycling event in the United States, the Tour of America’s Dairyland, will make its fourth consecutive stop in East Troy today.
The East Troy Cycling Classic began at 11:15 a.m. and is underway with eight hours of high-energy professional cycling around the village square and nearby streets.
The Brewers Famous Racing Sausages will be back at this year’s event from 4 to 5 p.m. and East Troy’s 1st Ever Slow Ride Bike Race will be at 5:40 p.m. The popular Tour de Square Kids Fun Races will begin at 6 p.m.
The event will feature live music all day, the East Troy Farmers Market and local vendors offering a variety of food items and beer, soda and water. Many surrounding businesses get in on the action with race day specials and bike themed items.
East Troy returns to its spot on the second leg of the 11-day series, which kicks off in Shorewood on June 18 and concludes in Wauwatosa on June 28.
The East Troy race start and finish will be on the east side of the square (2096 Church St.). The cyclists will ride laps around the half-mile course between 11:15 a.m. and 8 p.m. for timed races that range from 40 to 90 minutes.
“It’s a big day for East Troy. About 500 athletes are expected to compete in the race with amateur events in the morning and professional events later in the day,” said Vanessa Lenz, East Troy Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director. “Cyclists race on a closed course and make multiple laps, giving spectators the chance to see them whiz by every three 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., and a golf cart shuttle will be available by texting or calling (262) 642-3770.
Admission is free and spectators may watch the race from anywhere on the racecourse.
A raffle will be held to win a Trek bike. Tickets will be sold at 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.
2014 was a record-breaking year for the Tour of America’s Dairyland, sponsored by Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, featuring an average of 550 racers per day from 13 countries and 43 of the United States competing for more than $175,000 in cash and prizes before 150,000 screaming fans.
Race Day lineup
11:15 a.m. Men Cat 5
11:45 a.m. Women Cat 3/4
12:35 p.m. Cat 4/5
1:25 p.m. Masters 3/4 (35 plus)
2:25 p.m. Cat 2/3
3:25 p.m. Masters Men 1/2 (35 plus)
4:30 p.m. Milwaukee Brewers Racing Sausages race
4:40 p.m. Pro Women 1/2
5:40 p.m. Slowest Bike Race
6 p.m. Kids Race
6:30 p.m. Pro Men 1/2
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 6 p.m. All racers must meet at the East Troy Village Municipal Parking Lot, on the corner of Church and Austin streets, by 5:45 p.m.
The first 100 entries will receive goodie bags. 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.easttroy.org or pre-register the day of the race at the Chamber information booth on the east side of the East Troy Village Square.
Slow Ride Bike Race
Up to 20 entrants will ride a bicycle (either their own or one that is provided) from 2100 Church St., to the start/finish line of the East Troy Cycling Classic, 2096 Church St. (former East Troy Chamber of Commerce Office) for total of 52 feet.
Each rider competes to be the slowest rider without stopping (putting a foot onto the ground) in order to win. No track standing. Riders must be always be moving forward in a straight line. Winner gets bragging rights and a $100 gift card to East Troy Shell.
For more information, visit www.easttroy.org.
