Photo: Todd Gill, Fayetteville Flyer
One of the longest, continually held cycling races in the country takes place right here in Fayetteville.
The annual Joe Martin Stage Race enters its 42nd year this week with over 500 athletes from 20 countries expected to fill hotels and guest homes across town and the surrounding area.
The four-day race begins Thursday (April 4) and ends Sunday afternoon in downtown Fayetteville.
While Sunday’s events are the easiest and most exciting to take in, there are options for those who want more.
Thursday, April 4
The pros and elite amateurs begin the stage race with an updated format that began last year. Instead of starting with the time trials, a road race is planned with an exciting finish atop Mount Sequoyah in Fayetteville.
The races include varying distances for each category. The pro men will ride 113 miles, the pro women will race 68 miles, and the elite amateur men’s category will include 87 miles of racing.
Each of the three races will follow the same 2.5-mile finishing stretch that includes a series of challenging climbs leading to the finish line at the gates of the Mount Sequoyah Center.
Aside from the finish line, other great spectating locations include anywhere along the final finishing hill climbs, including Spring Street, Fletcher Avenue, Oklahoma Way, Missouri Way, and Assembly Drive.
With riders averaging at least 24 miles per hour, expect the elite amateur men to finish around 1:15 p.m. with the pro women coming in at about 2 p.m. and the pro men arriving possibly as early as 3:15 p.m. depending on the speed of the peloton.
Photo: Todd Gill, Fayetteville Flyer
Photo: Todd Gill, Fayetteville Flyer
Friday, April 5
The pros and elite amateurs will race again Friday on road courses that include between 4,400 and 6,9200 feet of hill climbing. The men’s course begins in west Fayetteville and sends riders on a 117-mile race south along the Oklahoma border before heading east to catch U.S. 71 near Alma, and then north to West Fork, west toward Hogeye, and then north to the finish in front of Baum-Walker stadium on Razorback Road. The pro women’s 66-mile course begins in Cedarville and heads east to U.S. 71 to mirror the last leg of the men’s race.
Spectating will be easiest at the finish line in front of Baum-Walker Stadium, but we’ve had fun in years past watching the peloton pass by the scenic overlook at Artist Point and then hurrying back to town for the finish. If you try this, don’t attempt to come back on Highway 71 or you’ll be stuck behind the peloton. The best bet is to park at the rest stop just north of the scenic overlook and after the riders pass, head south on 71 towards Mountainburg and follow the sign right to take I-49 back to Fayetteville after Lake Fort Smith. The first riders should be at Artist Point at around 1:45 p.m. with the pro men coming by at around 3 p.m.
The anticipated finish for the women’s race is approximately 2:45 p.m., with the elite amateur men expected to finish at around 3:15 p.m. and the pro men’s race expected to end at about 4 p.m.
Photo: Todd Gill, Fayetteville Flyer
Photo: Todd Gill, Fayetteville Flyer
Saturday, April 6
Saturday morning is the beginning of the amateur races, which start and finish in Prairie Grove, followed by individual time trials at Devil’s Den State Park in the afternoon.
Professional riders continue earning points Saturday afternoon with the uphill individual time trials beginning at noon.
Spectators can catch competitors as they prepare and leave the start house, and can also walk along the three-mile uphill course (watch out for riders) or hang out at the finish line.
Depending upon arrival time, spectators must use the appropriate entry to Devil’s Den State Park. If arriving before noon, take Interstate 49 south to Exit 45, and then turn west/right on Hwy. 74. If arriving after noon, take I-49 south to Exit 53, and turn west/right to proceed south on Hwy 170 into the park.
Sunday, April 7
Sunday is easily the most exciting day to take in the Joe Martin Stage Race. Both amateurs and pros will compete in criterium (or crit) races featuring multiple loops around downtown Fayetteville (see map below).
The crits serve as the final stage of the race as the leaders hope to hold their advantages and the others attempt to overtake them in the overall standings. The racing action is always fast and furious with riders hitting speeds of over 35 miles per hour while riding within inches of each other through 90-degree turns.
Crits begin at 8 a.m. and are expected to last until at least 4:30 p.m. A kids ride is planned at 1 p.m.
Walk around the full course, or hang out at the finish line in front of Arsaga’s Church & Center.
Sunday Crit Schedule
8 a.m. – Amateur Men Cat 4,5
8:40 a.m. – Amateur Women Cat 3,4,5
8:41 a.m. – Amateur Master Women 40+, 50+
9:15 a.m. – Amateur Men Master B
10 a.m. – Amateur Men Cat 3,4
10:45 a.m. – Amateur Women Cat 2,3
11:25 a.m. – Amateur Men Master A
12:15 p.m. – Amateur Men Cat 2,3
1 p.m. – Kid’s Ride (FREE) Ages 3-9
1:30 p.m. – Amateur Elite Men
2:30 p.m. – Pro Women
3:30 p.m. – Pro Men
Photo: Todd Gill, Fayetteville Flyer
Photo: Todd Gill, Fayetteville Flyer
Photo: Todd Gill, Fayetteville Flyer
