New Macon Cycling Event for 2010

Adam Hunt
Sports Reporter / Columnist

The wheels just don’t stop rolling for the Mercer Cycling Team at the moment as plans are being made to host an invitational race in Macon this year.

The First Annual Macon Cycling Classic is set to be staged in May and is being jointly hosted by the local Walthall Oil Cycling Team and Mercer’s own racers.

The event represents a significant step forward for Mercer Cycling who are currently in their inaugural season.

The Macon Classic is set to get pulses racing in the local community and will consist of a timed city block sprint around Tatnall Square with categories for different age groups and levels.

The Georgia Bicycle Racing Association has already leant its support and the event’s organizers are looking to partner up with the Lance Armstrong Junior Road Series, a prestigious tour of races specifically for under 18s.

Current board of directors Bill Causey, Jeff Clayton and Andrew Lockwood have come a long way since the idea of hosting a cycling race in Macon was conceived last year. The event is likely to have a similar feel to the famous Athens Twilight, a professional cycling race celebrating its 30th anniversary in April.

As ever, the Macon Classic is in need of considerable support from a variety of sources. In terms of financial backing, the organizers are counting on attracting local business, particularly those in Mercer Village such as Ingleside Pizza and Francar’s Buffalo Wings.

But the race itself is not the only attraction planned as the preceding week will be packed with special events leading up to the Saturday finale.

Director and member of Mercer’s Cycling Team Lockwood enthused: “I'm extremely excited to be involved in bringing such a wonderful event to Mercer. Although most people have never witnessed a live bike race, I think this particular one will really be exciting to participate in or watch from the park. Macon and middle Georgia is really a cycling gem in the state of Georgia and we hope that this race can reflect the talent and organization of the Macon/Mercer community. You don't want to miss this!”

Don’t forget to pick up The Cluster for all the latest news from Mercer Cycling and anyone wishing to volunteer or get involved with the Macon Classic should visit www.mercercycling.blogspot.com or e-mail james.andrew.lockwood@student.mercer.edu