FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Joe Martin Stage Race returns to Fayetteville this week, and it's causing some road closures.
The four-day, four-stage bicycle race will take place August 26-29.
More than 750 professional and elite cyclists from around the world come to the area to compete on the roads and highways in and around Fayetteville for thousands of dollars in prizes.
Although the lion’s share of the racecourses is plotted south of Fayetteville, a portion of the Thursday and Friday races take place within city limits and will cause intermittent road closures.
Sunday’s race, a spectator-friendly criterium, takes place around downtown Fayetteville and will require several road closures for the duration of the race.
Drivers are encouraged to expect delays and to use alternate routes during these times. Drivers are also reminded to be watchful for cyclists on roads and highways south of Fayetteville from Thursday to Sunday as competitors will be practicing and racing throughout the area.
Additional information and route maps for the following races can be found here.
The following is when drivers should expect
Thursday, Aug. 26 – Mount Gaylor Road Race (10 a.m. - 4 p.m.)
Portions of W. Willoughby Road, Morningside, 15th Street, College Ave., 13th Street and Block Ave. will be intermittently closed to traffic as racers approach the finish line at Walker Park from the south between approximately 2 and 4 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 27 – Mount Sequoyah Road Race (9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.)
Portions of Huntsville, Willow, Spring, Fletcher, Oklahoma Way, Missouri Way, Dogwood and Assembly Dr. will be intermittently closed to traffic as racers approach the finish line at Mt. Sequoyah from approximately 2 until 4 p.m. Please do not park on these streets, which are part of the racecourse, after noon.
Sunday, Aug. 29 – Experience Fayetteville Criterium (7 a.m. - 5 p.m.)
The Experience Fayetteville Criterium race in downtown Fayetteville will mean that portions of Church, Mountain, Block, Center, East, Dickson, West and Spring streets will be closed to traffic from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. Please do not park on these streets, which are part of the course, after 6 a.m. These roads will remain accessible to local traffic when cyclists are not present