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Wilmington Grand Prix gears up for race weekend

Organizers of the Wilmington Grand Prix are beginning their final sprint to next month’s 10th edition of the pro cycling event.

Top men’s and women’s riders from around the county and the world will descend on the First State to compete in this stop on the USA Cycling Pro Road Tour. 

The men’s race will again feature the United Healthcare team that has produced the winning rider in each of the last three Wilmington Grand Prix races.

Race Director Laura Van Gilder,  a two-time winner of the women’s race, says the ladies’ field is also loaded with some of the sport’s top talent.

You are going to be seeing the top women’s team ISCorp.  They were the overall champ last year. You’ll have returning champ Erica Allar from Rally Racing [and] Tina Pic, seven-time national Criterium champion and last year’s [Wilmington] winner returning with her team, The Happy Tooth – as well as many regional and local teams,” said Van Gilder.

The pro races are set for Saturday May 14th in downtown Wilmington. 

The race weekend begins Friday May 13th with the Monkey Hill Time Trial and concludes Sunday May 15th with the Governor’s Ride and Delaware Grand Fondo. 

Race officials say last year the weekend drew over 800 cyclists from 33 states and 13 countries – and since 2012 Grand Prix has delivered $2.5 million in economic impact.

But event organizer Jerry DuPhilly says those numbers are only part of the reason the Grand Prix has been a success.

“I’ve been involved in doing events in this city for nearly 30 years and there are a lot of great memories and a lot of events we’ve done, but there’s no event that gives me more pride than the Wilmington Grand Prix," said DuPhilly. "And the reason I say that is this is the most inclusive event we’ve ever done.  There is no admission fee.  We welcome people from all walks and they all attend.”

DuPhilly says the race weekend is also a tremendous way to show off the state’s largest city and the surrounding area.

Tom Byrne has been a fixture covering news in Delaware for three decades. He joined Delaware Public Media in 2010 as our first news director and has guided the news team ever since. When he's not covering the news, he can be found reading history or pursuing his love of all things athletic.