2nd Annual Mobile Sports Authority (MSA) Tour de Bay to Bring Pedals to the Pavement in Downtown Mobile, Alabama

MOBILE, Ala.  -  The Mobile Sports Authority, along with Team Share the Road, the City and County of Mobile, USA Cycling, Visit Mobile, and Little Red Hen Productions, is pleased to announce the 2nd Annual Mobile Sports Authority (MSA) Tour de Bay Criterium & Century Ride presented by Hargrove Engineers + Constructors.  The cycling event will be held in downtown Mobile, May 14-15, 2016 with the start/finish line at Bienville Square. The weekend-long cycling event will feature the USA Cycling Alabama State Championship Criterium on Saturday, May 14th followed by a family-friendly metric Century Ride on Sunday, May 15th. 

 

The Criterium, a short closed-course road race, will feature a six-tenths of a mile track in the heart of Downtown Mobile's Bienville Square and Entertainment District. The Criterium will consist of several heats, lasting between 25 and 55 minutes each, and will be divided into various skill categories for men and women. The first heat will start peddling at

9 a.m. and subsequent heats will continue through 4 p.m. Saturday, May 14th.

 

Danny Corte, Executive Director of the Mobile Sports Authority noted, "With the popularity of cycling continuing to grow in the Mobile area, we are excited to be hosting the 2nd annual MSA Tour de Bay event.  The Criterium is also serving as the Alabama State Championship, so it will be a very competitive day as the cyclists will be vying for their respective titles.  We invite anyone and everyone to come on downtown to take in the races."

 

The MSA Tour de Bay cycling weekend will continue Sunday with a metric Century Ride through the beautiful Mobile County. The family-friendly bike ride will begin and end at Bienville Square and will feature three distance options: 10 miles, 22 miles, or 62 miles in which riders will have the chance to enjoy a ride through downtown Mobile and along the western shore of Mobile Bay, while cruising though several parks along the way.

 

Deena Tyler, Vice-President of Team Share the Road, added, "Fast-paced bicycle racing is coming back to downtown Mobile! This criterium race course is unique because of the numerous turns.  Racers are excited to be part of this race so they can show off their technical skills and would like to see huge crowds packing the streets.  Spectators can get up close to the action at any point on the course on Saturday.  On Sunday, participants may ride 10, 22, or 62 miles.  The route takes the rider through beautiful Mobile County.  Team Share the Road is thrilled to again assist with this event.  We cannot thank the Mobile Sports Authority and Hargrove Engineers + Constructors enough for their support!"

       

Registration and full details for all events of the MSA Tour de Bay presented by Hargrove Engineers + Constructors may be found at www.tourdebaymobile.com .

 

Recognized by the United State Olympic Committee and the Union Cycliste Internationale, USA Cycling is the official governing body for all disciplines of competitive cycling in the United States, including road, track, mountain bike, BMX and cyclo-cross. As a membership-based organization, USA Cycling comprises 70,000 licensees; 2,400 clubs and teams; and 34 local associations. The national governing body sanctions competitive and non-competitive events throughout the U.S. each year, manages 17 national championship events and is responsible for fostering the identification, development, and support of American cyclists. To learn more about USA Cycling, visit www.usacycling.org .

 

The Mobile Sports Authority (MSA) is a non-profit sports commission formed in 2008 by the Mobile County Commission. The main mission is to create a positive economic and public relations impact for Mobile County, the City of Mobile, and the region through attracting, hosting, managing and supporting sporting events. MSA is the main point of contact for sports and sports-related activities for the Mobile County area. For more information on MSA, please visit www.mobilesportsauthority.com .