The Southern Sierra Cyclists and Central Sierra Cyclists are teaming up to host the 2012 San Joaquin Valley Omnium Bicycle Races. This omnium will take place in Yokohl Valley, Downtown Exeter and Downtown Selma on September 8 and 9, 2012.
The San Joaquin Valley Omnium will consist of 3 separate events; The Yokohl Valley individual time trial, the Downtown Exeter criterium and the Selma criterium.
On Saturday morning, September 8, the first event for the omnium is the Yokohl Valley individual time trial. This race will have riders race one by one against the clock on a 10.8 miles course. The individual time trial is an event where speed and aerodynamics are key and the fastest time wins. The 10.8 mile course starts at Road 228 and Yokohl Valley Road and travels east 5.4 miles and 5.4 miles back. There is approximately 330 feet of climbing on the course.
Saturday afternoon, September 8 will also see the first ever criterium event in Downtown Exeter. Criterium events are held on short courses (this course is 1 kilometer in length) and racers will do up to 72 laps of this course. Racers will be competing with other racers of similar ability and age. Criterium racing is a spectator friendly racing event with riders achieving speeds in excess of 30 miles per hour and within inches of each other. The first competitive event is scheduled to start at 3:00 pm; Exeter is planning on community events to begin at 2:00 pm. The Downtown Exeter events will conclude with the Professional and Category 1-2 riders starting at 7:20 pm and racing in the dark for 45 miles!
Sunday September 9 will have criterium racing in Downtown Selma. Again, a short exciting course is planned with racing beginning at 8:00 am and a Kids Bike Challenge scheduled for 12:15 pm The Selma Criterium is a benefit race for the Selma Police Canine Unit.
Competitors can race in either age specific categories or based on their ability. Everyone is welcome to come out and try bicycle racing! One day racing licenses will be available at the registration sites in each location.
The San Joaquin Valley Omnium will award prizes in each event for each racing category; points will also be awarded to the top 20 finishers in each event with cash prizes awarded to the top 3 racers in each category at the conclusion of the 3 events.
Photo © Christy Nicholson / EchelonDesignPhoto.com
