Circuit of The Americas™ Joins Popular Tour of Austin Cycling Event With Criterium Race on Aug. 31

Circuit of The Americas has joined the list of venues playing host to the popular Tour of Austin bicycle racing weekend, set for Aug. 31 to Sept. 2.  The Circuit will host the first leg of this year’s three-day event by staging a criterium along its 3.4-mile racetrack—home to the FORMULA 1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX—on Saturday, Aug. 31.

The Criterium Americas will be the first bicycle event held at the new, internationally acclaimed Circuit of The Americas facility. Austin-based Holland Racing, a cycling event production company, will manage the fifth annual event, which will benefit the Kelly Davidson Pediatric Cancer Foundation. The USA Cycling-sanctioned bicycle race will see a national and international field of athletes, staff, and sponsors visiting Austin, including current professionals and former Olympians. In addition to the races, members of the public may register to participate in an open bicycle ride that will be held on Circuit of The Americas’ track as part of the criterium event.

The Circuit-hosted event was added to the established Tour of Austin to help build upon the successes of both the Circuit and Holland Racing and to bring awareness to the general public about bicycling in Austin and Central Texas and a variety of sustainability issues supported by both organizations.

“Circuit of The Americas was built for all kinds of competitive racing, and we’re excited to add a leg of the Tour of Austin to our summer event schedule,” Circuit President and Chief Executive Officer Steve Sexton said. “Cycling is a huge part of Austin’s culture, and this event reminds everyone about the importance of health, fitness and the need to explore alternate modes of transportation for work and play.  We hope this year’s Criterium Americas is the foundation for a larger partnership with the Tour of Austin.”

Traditionally, the Tour of Austin comprises three separate days of bicycling events in and around the Austin area. This year the Tour of Austin will visit Circuit of The Americas and Driveway Austin Motorsports Academy, making it the only bicycling event in the nation to showcase an entire weekend of racing held exclusively on world-class race car tracks.

The Tour of Austin runs from Saturday, Aug. 31, through Monday, Sept. 2, 2013.  The public is invited to attend the Criterium Americas on Saturday, Aug. 31; admission is free for spectators.  For more information about the 2013 Tour of Austin and the Criterium Americas, including registration fees for the Tour and the public bicycle ride at Circuit of The Americas on Aug. 31, visit www.thetourofaustin.com.