The King of All Crits Weekend Returns April 9-10

March 8, 2022

The Sunny King Criterium Kicks Off the New 2022 National Criterium Series

Anniston, AL, March 8, 2022 /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – Alabama’s annual premier professional cycling event weekend, the Alabama Cycling Classic, returns to the City of Anniston and Main Street Anniston’s, Noble Street corridor on April 9-10, 2022. The day one event, the Sunny King Criterium is the first venue and stop of the 2022 North American Criterium Series managed between the ten event organizations and USA Cycling.

The Alabama Cycling Classic will bring the best in American criterium racing to the city of Anniston on April 9^th. Beginning at 10 a.m., there will be twenty races on a closed course throughout the day, including kids, juniors, men’s and women’s amateur races, a new men’s masters 45+ category, and our professional men’s and women’s races will close out the day.

“We’re excited to host the first event in the National Criterium Series, it’s a big step for American cycling with an overall prize purse of $100,000. The series will bring the best professional teams to the City of Anniston for a thrilling day of racing in Anniston’s Downtown proper,” said race director Marilyn Hill. “We also have a robust livestream online for those that cannot join us, streaming nine hours of racing.”

The 2022 livestream broadcast presented by Sparklight will be viewable via annistoncycling.com and on various cycling media websites from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. CDT. The racing action will be called by professional sports commentator Brad Sohner and former professional cyclist and Sunny King Criterium champion Lauren Hall. It’s one of the best days of racing to watch in person or online.

Alongside the Sunny King Criterium, the City of Anniston will once again host their annual Noble Street Festival with fun for everyone! There will be live music, the Sunny King Kid Zone, food and craft vendors, the Downtown Throwdown Crossfit competition and more!

“We are anxiously awaiting the 20th anniversary of the Noble Street Festival & Sunny King Criterium,” said Main Street Anniston Director Jackson Hodges. “Last year’s event broke records in attendance and impact, and with the team we have around us I’m confident that 2022’s event will do the same. The festival itself will be led by our great event coordinator, Kara Eden, thus all interested vendors & participants should reach out to her at 256-371-3711.”

Day two of the Alabama Cycling Classic will be held on Sunday, April 10^th in Piedmont. The Piedmont Criterium begins at 8 a.m. and wraps up around 3 p.m. with a total of eight races for the day. Both events have registration open to the public on Bikereg.com under the event names; Sunny King Criterium and Piedmont Criterium.

About Alabama Cycling Classic

The Sunny King Criterium began in 2002 as Anniston’s signature cycling event for professional and amateur male and female cyclists from around the globe. A second day of racing was added in 2014 for amateur and elite athletes. The start/finish line for the criterium is located at 11th and Noble streets in downtown Anniston, with 21 categorized races for adults and juniors. The criterium is one of 17 national cycling events on USA Cycling’s Pro Road Tour. All races are managed by Start Smart Events.

About Sunny King Automotive Group

Located in Anniston, Alabama, the Sunny King Automotive Group has been in business since 1922, when it began as the King Motor Co., Inc. The Sunny King Automotive Group offers new & used car sales, finance, body shop and service repairs. Among the dealerships which support Sunny King Criterium and Noble Street Festival are Sunny King Ford, Sunny King Honda and Sunny King Toyota. Sunny King Honda and Sunny King Toyota have been recognized as President’s Award recipients for multiple years. Learn more: www.sunnyking.com.

About Start Smart Events

Start Smart Events (SSE) provides professional management and consultation for all areas of cycling and community-based events. SSE specializes in the production and management of competitive cycling events. For more information, contact Marilyn Cullinane, marilyn.cullinane@gmail.com  

For race information and sponsorship opportunities:

Race Director Marilyn Cullinane, Start Smart Events
marilyn.cullinane@gmail.com
239-961-1902

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