Joe Martin Race starts today

Cyclists from more than 25 countries will pedal into Fayetteville today for the 41st Joe Martin State Race.

The four-day event will feature some of the top cyclists in the world in a field of close to 1,000 riders.

Ruth Winder won the women’s division last season and Robin Carpenter claimed the men’s title. The event is part of the USA Cycling Pro Racing Tour.

Racing begins today at 11:15 a.m. with the Elite Men 1, 2 competition. Also today the Pro Men 1 race, a 113-mile course, starts at 12:30 p.m., and the Pro Women 1,2 race starts at 1:15 p.m.

A change this year is the first stage race will be a road race that will finish atop Mount Sequoyah in Fayetteville.

Racing will continue through the weekend and finish with Sunday’s criterium on the Fayetteville square. The criterium is the most fan-friendly part of the racing weekend with cyclists battling handle bar to handle bar to the finish line at speeds in excess of 35 miles per hour.

There will be a number of road closures today around Mount Sequoyah from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. The streets that will be affected are Huntsville, Willow Spring, Fletcher, Oklahoma Way, Missouri Way, Dogwood and a section of Assembly Drive.

For more information on the Joe Martin Stage Race including race schedules and the best spots to view the races each day, visit www.joemartinstagerace.com.