Richmond 2015 announces Road World Championships schedule, map

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) - Officials announced the schedule for the Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships on Friday morning.

The biggest change for the cyclists is likely that all the races will include the climb up the cobblestones on 23rd Street near Church Hill, which was previously only in the Elite Men and Elite Women course.

"We heard resoundingly from several national federations, and the U23 and Junior cyclists in particular, who have visited the area and ridden the course that they wanted to take on the grueling, partially cobbled 23rd Street climb," Miller said. "After reviewing the technical elements with the UCI, we've decided to give these young athletes their chance to attack a climb that could serve as a springboard to victory."

The start and end times for the events will all fall between 9 a.m. and 4:50 p.m., though roads will be closed up to an hour before and after the start times.

Officials said the courses and their start times were adjusted to limit the impact on rush-hour traffic, while still allowing the international TV broadcasts which are expected to be seen by hundreds of millions of viewers around the world.

The races will begin on Sept. 19 with the Team Time Trial Training and culminate with the Elite Women Road Race on on Sept. 26 and Elite Men Road Race on September 27.

"We spent the past few months working with the UCI on finalizing the schedule and tweaking the courses for the 12 world championship races that will take place over nine days," said Tim Miller, chief operating officer of Richmond 2015 in a press release. "We've been able to incorporate many of the things we learned from the official test event, the USA Cycling Collegiate Road National Championships, which was held last spring, in order to provide the best experience for racers, fans and Central Virginians alike."

The starting point for the Team Time Trials, which will be held on Sept. 19 and 20, was changed from Rocketts Landing to Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.

Part of the Road Race course in downtown Richmond was altered at Belvidere to allow most of the I-95, I-195/Powhite Parkway exits will remain open and commuter traffic can flow freely.

The nine-day event in September is expected to have a $158 million economic impact for Virginia as more than 1,000 of the world's best cyclists from 75 countries race around Central Virginia.

Official Schedule

DATE EVENT Start Time/Finish Time (EDT)*

Sat., Sept. 19 Team Time Trial Training 9 a.m./12 p.m.

Sat., Sept. 19 Time Trial Circuit Training 1 p.m./2:30 p.m.

Sun., Sept. 20 Team Time Trial (Women) 11:30 a.m./12:55 p.m.

Sun. Sept. 20 Team Time Trial (Men) 1:30 p.m./3:35 p.m.

Mon., Sept. 21 Individual Time Trial (Jr. Women) 10 a.m./11:10 a.m.

Mon., Sept. 21 Individual Time Trial (U23 Men) 11:30 a.m./3:50 p.m.

Tues., Sept. 22 Individual Time Trial (Jr. Men) 9:30 a.m./1:05 p.m.

Tues., Sept. 22 Individual Time Trial (Elite Women) 1:30 p.m./4:45 p.m.

Wed., Sept. 23 Individual Time Trial (Elite Men) 1 p.m./3:35 p.m.

Thurs., Sept. 24 Road Race Training 10 a.m./12 p.m.

Fri., Sept. 25 Road Race (Jr. Women) 10 a.m./11:50 a.m.

Fri., Sept. 25 Road Race (U23 Men) 12:45 p.m./4:50 p.m.

Sat., Sept. 26 Road Race (Jr. Men) 9 a.m./12:15 p.m.

Sat. Sept. 26 Road Race (Elite Women) 1 p.m./4:25 p.m.

Sun., Sept. 27 Road Race (Elite Men) 9 a.m./3:40 p.m.

* Courses will close to traffic up to 1 hour before start time and re-open up to 1 hour after estimated finish time, all times listed in Eastern Daylight Time

Click here for the full press release: http://shout.lt/W3nX

Click here to download the Team Time Trial Circuit course map [PDF]: http://shout.lt/W3tl

Click here to download the Men's Elite Time Trial course map [PDF]: http://shout.lt/W3D1