Authored By Staff Report

Arguably, it's Chattanooga's most exciting cycling event. The annual Village Volkswagen River Gorge Omnium is back for the 16th year this weekend. The "omnium" race features three events — time trials, a criterium and a road race — on Saturday on Sunday. Racing begins on Saturday with a time trial, point-to-point race around the TVA reservoir facility atop Raccoon Mountain. During the trial, riders will experience "breathtaking beauty" as they navigate the course. The most spectator-friendly event is Saturday's criterium events. Racing begins at noon and continues with 12 races throughout the evening, including the Magnum Mile sprint race (for runners) and both Men's and Women's professional events. The Crit Course is a 1.06km short-track beginning at the Pickle Barrel on Market Street. The rectangular course navigates Market, 12th Street, down Broad Street and up E. Martin Luther King Blvd. Sunday's road race is a 69.6-mile loop through Sand Mountain and Raccoon Mountain. Pro women will have a 55.5-mile hybrid and a separate short course features a 45.5-mile rolling loop. Goss Insurance is sponsoring Saturday's Criterium. Tim Goss, event sponsor and Scenic City Velo club member encourages everybody to witness the crit. "Criteriums are family friendly and exciting to watch as racers compete on a short, closed course and pass by the fans every couple of minutes," he said. The weekend's races will be streamed online. Market and Broad streets from Martin Luther King Boulevard to 10th Street will be closed Saturday for the event. Food and beverage vendors will be on-site. Admission is free. For the fourth year, River Gorge Omnium is partnering with the Cam Run 5k/Magnum Mile which honors the life of Cameron Bean who was struck in 2014, shortly after competing in the inaugural running evens started by River Gorge. Qualifiers will compete under the lights in a one-mile race for a cash prize.