Athletes from around the world will compete for three days in the U.S. Paralympic Cycling Open in Huntsville.
Para-cyclists will compete April 8-10 on the streets around Big Spring Park downtown and at Cummings Research Park (CRP). The first events, April 8, will be the Hand-cycle Relays around Big Spring Park in the afternoon and early evening. Time trials and road races will be Saturday and Sunday in CRP. The park is the second-largest research park in the nation and fourth-largest in the world.
This is the second year for Huntsville to host the U.S. Paralympic Cycling Open, presented by Toyota. The hand-cycling event is new this year, pitting teams from different countries. City organizers will have a food truck festival near Big Spring Park, too, Friday evening.
“Huntsville is honored that these athletes are returning after a thrilling event last year,” said Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle. “They are incredible competitors. We enjoyed hosting them and cheering them on, and we look forward to having them back for another world-class event.”
The events are free to watch. Time trials Saturday in the research park will be morning and afternoon, and the Sunday finals will be from about noon to 6 p.m.
“We are so excited to return to Huntsville,” said Ian Lawless, director of U.S. Paralympics Cycling. “Last April, the entire community welcomed Team USA with open arms and rallied around us as we prepared for the Paralympic Games in Tokyo. This year, we will be eyeing the 2022 World Para-cycling Road World Championships, and the U.S. Paralympics Cycling Open in Huntsville — this time with an international flair — will again be a key part of that journey.”
International Flair
The event is open to international athletes, with 150-200 expected along with their families and support crews. Competitors will be working toward the 2022 World Paracycling Road World Championships.
