Professional racing event returns for fifth year
The largest competitive cycling event in the United States, the Tour of America’s Dairyland, will make its fifth stop in East Troy on Friday, June 17.
The East Troy Cycling Classic begins at 10:45 a.m. with nearly nine hours of high-energy professional cycling around the East Troy Village Square and nearby streets.
“We are so excited to host this event, which will be jam packed with top-notch professional and amateur racing and great entertainment,” East Troy Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Vanessa Lenz said.
“The Brewers Famous Racing Sausages will be hanging out at East Troy Village Square Park from 4 to 5 p.m. and the popular Tour de Square Kids Fun Races will give children the chance to compete like the pros.”
East Troy’s second annual Slow Ride Bike Race will be at 5:40 p.m.
“We had so much fun with this race last year. It was hilarious to watch our Slow Ride contestants-some in costume, some with props – try to balance and make their way to the finish line,” Lenz said.
A new beer tent will feature music by the Love Monkeys from 7:45 p.m. to 10:45 p.m.
The event will also feature the East Troy Farmers Market, an ESPN radio broadcast from 3-6 p.m. and local vendors such as The Grist Mill and LD’s BBQ 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 will be the first stop on the 11-day tour, which concludes in Wauwatosa on June 26.
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 10:45 a.m. and 8 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., and a golf cart shuttle will be available by calling or texting (262) 642-3770.
Admission is free and spectators may watch the cyclists whiz by once every three minutes from anywhere on the racecourse.
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 seventh year.
In 2015, the Tour of America’s Dairyland, presented by Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, hosted roughly 5,000 racers of multiple categories from junior to pro level, from 36 states and 13 countries.
More than $175,000 in cash and primes was awarded before an estimated crowd of 155,000 cowbell-clanging spectators, who snapped photos of 245 athlete podium presentations.
Just for the kids
The Tour de Square Kids Fun Races will give children the chance to 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 150 entries will receive goodie bags, courtesy of Kids Race sponsors KS Energy Services and The Elegant Farmer and Cedar Crest ice cream. 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 to 7) and two wheels only (ages 8 to 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 East Troy Village Square Park.
Race day lineup
10:45 a.m. – Women Cat 4
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+)
2:25 p.m.-Cat 2/3
3:25 p.m. – Masters Men 1/2/3 (40+)
4:30 p.m. – Milwaukee Brewers Racing Sausages race (Will be on square from 4-5 p.m.)
4:40 p.m. – Pro Women 1/2
5:40 p.m. – Slow Ride Bike Race
6 p.m. – Kids Race
6:30 p.m.-Pro Men 1/2
7:45-10:45 p.m. – Beer Tent featuring Love Monkeys
