Pro cyclists race through streets of downtown Ann Arbor

Two wheels recently raced through spaces normally reserved for four wheels in downtown Ann Arbor. And speeds that mussed people’s hair.

Excerpt:

Organizers blowing whistles, fans ringing cowbells, and the squealing tires of a pace car rounding a turn signaled that the first professional bicycle race in downtown Ann Arbor in many years was off to a fast start.

“Unbelievable,” said one fan who came to see the pros negotiate one of the tight, 90-degree turns on the course as they took a left from Washington Street onto First Street, leaning into the apex of the turn and inches away from the spectators.

With a starting and finishing line on Main Street, where a stage and sound system was set up, the Priority Health Ann Arbor Cycling Classic drew impressive reviews from competitors and spectators Sunday. Several hundred pro and amateur cyclists competed in five races that started between 10 a.m. and roughly 2 p.m. and offered a combined purse of $30,000.

“The pro riders are so fast, but everybody’s been fast,” said Scott Hoffmann, 44, of Ann Arbor, a cycling fan who watched from a spot on Main Street. “To come down here and see this in Ann Arbor is great.”

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