Wilmington Grand Prix Returns & Adds Gran Fondo

One of the premier cycling events on the East Coast returns to Wilmington, Delaware on May 18-20. For the fifth straight year, the Wilmington Grand Prix has been named to USA Cycling's National Calendar and this year's event is one of only nineteen races included in the USAC National Criterium Calendar. For the first time ever, a Gran Fondo or "Big Ride" designed for both pros and amateurs has been added on Sunday, May 20th. Proceeds from the three-day event benefit the Food Bank of Delaware.

The action starts late Friday afternoon, May 18, with the return of the Monkey Hill Time Trial, a 3.2 mile race against the clock through Wilmington's Brandywine Park with 30 second intervals between starts. The evening will also include a "Party in the Park" with barbecue, beer and family fun.

A Grand Prix Street Festival sets the tone for Saturday's activities in Downtown Wilmington. The Street Festival includes live music, sidewalk sales, course-side cafes and a variety of family games and activities including moon bounces, rock climbing, bungee jumping, fitness challenges, bike expos and youth races. At noon, a "Parade to Fight Hunger" signals the official start of the Pro Races. First the women and then the men compete in a series of figure-eight criterium races over a one-mile-plus course in the city with the start/finish line in front of the Grand Opera House on Market Street and an Award Ceremony at 5PM.

Sunday's Gran Fondo or "Big Ride" is designed for professionals and amateurs alike. The Gran Fondo is a 62-mile trek through Greater Wilmington's incredibly beautiful and rolling chateau country with timed intervals at designated spots. The Governor's Ride is a less daunting 15-mile course with rest stops along the way and participants are encouraged to proceed at their own pace. Both courses offer unique opportunities to bike through some of the area's cultural treasures like Hagley, Winterthur, Delaware Museum of Natural History and Mt. Cuba Center. Both rides begin and end at the Delaware Art Museum where there will be a Post-Ride Garden Party with plenty of entertainment and food.

More information is available at www.WilmingtonGrandPrix or www.VisitWilmingtonDe.com.

The Greater Wilmington Convention & Visitors Bureau is a non-profit organization founded in 1978, chartered by the Governor of Delaware, the New Castle County Executive and the Mayor of Wilmington. Its mission is to serve as the community's customer-focused destination marketing organization, generating economic growth through leisure travel and meetings development by aggressively marketing attractions, facilities, amenities and services for visitors.