After 16 years of planning the MERCO Credit Union Cycling Classic's Downtown Grand Prix, an unfavorable weather report for today's race doesn't cause race founder Doug Fluetsch to even bat an eye.
Rain or shine, the show must go on.
And it will.
Merced Sun-Star - PHOTO BY LISA JAMES
Davis Cycling Club finishes the men's Team Time Trials, an 18-mile out-and-back course, in fourth place with a time of 42:02, more than 3 minutes behind BISSELL Pro Cycling. Five teams competed in the men's time trial. HTC-Columbia won the women's event and was one of only two to compete.
Merced Sun-Star - PHOTO BY LISA JAMES
The "Other Team" finished in second place in the women's division of the inaugural team time trials, presented by the MERCO Credit Union Cycling Classic.
Merced Sun-Star - PHOTO BY LISA JAMES
TEAM CLIF BAR Cycling completes the 18-mile course during Friday's team time trial.
Merced Sun-Star - SUN-STAR PHOTO BY LISA JAMES Davis Cycling Club finishes the Team Time Trials, an 18 mile out and back course, in fourth place with a time of 42:02. Teams participating in the Merco Cycling Classic compete in the Team Time Trials along G Street in North Merced on Friday. March 5, 2010
DOWNTOWN GRAND PRIX: Today, 7:30 a.m. start at Courthouse Park
NOTABLE RACES: The pro women's race begins at 11:30 a.m. The Pee-Wee classic gets under way at 2:20 p.m. The men's pro race begins at 2:30 p.m.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS: Bounce houses, a climbing wall, food, community booths and wares.
FOOTHILLS ROAD RACE: Sunday, 9 a.m. start at Keyes at Olsen Roads
NOTABLE RACES: The pro men get under way at 9 a.m. and the pro women start at 9:15 a.m.
"Long ago I learned to just prepare for rain, no matter what," Fluetsch said. "It makes the set up and take down miserable, but no matter what, the race will happen."
It's going to take more than a little rain to keep 2,000 cyclists from descending upon the streets of Merced for what has become the unofficial kickoff to the U.S. cycling season.
The action gets underway today with the juniors race for 15- to 18-year-olds, starting at 7:30 a.m. at Courthouse Park. The Downtown Grand Prix consists of eight races, concluding with the men's elite pro race at 2:30 p.m.
The riders race around a 0.8-mile course for anywhere from 20 to 40 miles. The course provides hairpin turns, big crashes and wild sprints to the finish.
Rain could add a whole new element.
"The rain just makes it a mess," said Atwater teacher and Third Pillar team rider Charlotte Hart. "You're already packed in like sardines with 50 riders around you, taking sharp turns at full speed. If it's really wet, it'll be like an ice rink out there.
"You don't know what to expect because for most of us it's the first race of the season. People may take the weather into account and go a little easier.
"If they push it, however, the number of crashes could double."
The races aren't the only part of the Downtown Grand Prix that will carry on rain or shine. Fluetsch has increased the number of bounce houses to eight, there will be a rock climbing wall for the first time and the usual assortment of food and community booths will be available.
The only thing in jeopardy of the rain is the live band.
"We take as much pride in making this a first-rate community event as we do in putting on a professional race," Fluetsch said. "This is a truly unique experience for the people in Merced and over the years they've really embraced it.
"We have a top-notch lineup once again and those that turn out should be given an excellent show."
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