FLYER GUIDE: How to watch the 2021 Joe Martin Stage Race

Photo: Todd Gill, Fayetteville Flyer

The Joe Martin Stage race is one of the longest, continually held cycling races in the country.

The annual event enters its 44th year this week with over 750 athletes from 27 countries expected to participate.

The four-day race begins Thursday (Aug. 26) and ends Sunday afternoon (Aug. 29) 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, Aug. 26

The pros and elite amateurs begin the stage race on Thursday with courses that include between 3,800-6,600 feet of hill climbing. The men’s course begins and ends at Walker Park in south Fayetteville, and features 114 miles of racing that heads south toward the Oklahoma border before heading east to catch U.S. 71 near Alma to climb Mount Gaylor, and then back to Fayetteville. The pro women’s 60-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 Walker Park for the start and finish, 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 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.

» See the full race schedule

Photo: Todd Gill, Fayetteville Flyer

Photo: Todd Gill, Fayetteville Flyer


Friday, Aug. 27

Day 2 of racing uses an updated format that began in 2018 with a road race that ends with a grueling finish atop Mount Sequoyah in Fayetteville.

The races include varying distances for each category. The pro men will ride 113 miles, while the pro women and elite amateur men’s categories will race 67 miles.

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.

» See the full race schedule

Photo: Todd Gill, Fayetteville Flyer

Photo: Todd Gill, Fayetteville Flyer


Saturday, Aug. 28

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.

» See the full race schedule


Sunday, Aug. 29

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 5 p.m. Kids rides are planned beginning 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. – Strider Balance Bike Ride (FREE) Ages 3-7
1:20 p.m. – Kid’s Ride (FREE) Ages 3 – 9
1:40 p.m. – Fat Tire Crit
2 p.m. – Amateur Elite Men
3 p.m. – Pro Women
4 p.m. – Pro Men

» See the full race schedule

Photo: Todd Gill, Fayetteville Flyer

Photo: Todd Gill, Fayetteville Flyer

Photo: Todd Gill, Fayetteville Flyer