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Wilmington Grand Prix to bring top pro cyclists to Delaware for 10th year

The Wilmington Grand Prix returns this May as the eighth stop of this year’s USA Cycling Pro Road Tour.

 

It’s the cycling event’s 10th anniversary of the Wilmington Grand Prix, and ninth year on the national race calendar.

 

The event’s coordinator Jerry DuPhilly says 33 states and 13 countries were represented in last year’s race, and he expects another large turnout this year.

 

“They come in, they see our attractions and ride through our countryside and it’s a great tourism opportunity to bring people in from out of town to say, wow, look at Delaware’s bicycle scene," DuPhilly said. "Look at the terrain they have to ride on. And create business for our restaurants and hotel stays and things like that.”

 

The race weekend also features Friday Monkey Hill time trial and Sunday’s  annual ride with Governor Jack Markell. DuPhilly notes that Sunday ride features Hagley and Winterthur,  institutions’ whose doors are normally closed to bike riders.

 

Since 2012, race and state officials says the event has generated more than $2.5 million in economic impact.

 

Event coordinator Jerry DuPhilly says the race is important to Delaware’s bike culture, capitalizing on the energy and momentum of bike-friendly lanes and legislation that has been built up under Governor Jack Markell.

 

“The nice thing about bicycle racing is it isn’t something that happens in the stadium or the arena, it happens on the streets of your town, you don’t charge people a ticket for admission to get in, they just come and watch.”

 
Race weekend kicks off Friday night, May 13thwith a free event in Downtown Wilmington featuring food trucks and live music, long with the Monkey Hill time trial.
 
The event, slated for May 13-15, also supports Wilmington’s Urban Bike Project, helping to ensure free bike access for area kids.

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