Georgia Cup revisits Gainesville

GAINESVILLE - Sunday was your day in Gainesville if you are a cyclist or just enjoy cycling - the Georgia Cup came back to downtown.

The nine event Criterium started with the juniors ages 14 and under and ended with major league cyclists competing in the 60 lap ProAm.

Georgia Cup Director James Lowe said it was like a stock car race, only on two wheels with muscle power and endurance instead of gasoline.

"They're actually going at speeds up to 40 mph in a sprint and they're literally going side by side into the turns," Lowe said.

According to Lowe, Gainesville is a good location for the Georgia Cup because of the city's hospitality, and it's close to Atlanta.

"We can get over 500 participants to come out to this race," Lowe added. "We're grass roots cycling at its finest. We have the minor leagues in professional cycling."

Nathan O'Neal, a top U.S. domestic rider and Tour De Georgia cyclist, served as narrator.

"You know the riders and you can anticipate the moves as they occur," O'Neal said. "You know what you're thinking before it even happens."

O'Neal hails from Braselton but is an Australian native, from the Sydney area.

Bruce Wexler from Suwanee came to watch his son, Alex. He was in the race that kicked off the afternoon-long event that circled downtown on Green, Washington, Academy and Spring Streets.

"These were 10 to 14 year old youth racers," Wexler said. "They're kids from all over the area."

Added Wexler: "It's great experience, a great team sport, they work together on the course. Cycling is a year-around sport for them and excellent exercise."