The USA Cycling Professional Road National Championships return to the Knoxville area this weekend, requiring closure of several downtown streets on the evening of Friday, June 24, and roads in downtown, South Knoxville and East Knoxville all day on Sunday, June 26.

This world-class cycling event—in Knoxville for the fifth time—draws thousands of fans from faraway places and thrills Knoxville cycling enthusiasts. 

The USA Cycling staging area will be on Gay Street between Church and Cumberland avenues, which will close to traffic at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 23, and remain closed until 9 p.m. Sunday, June 26. 

Throughout race weekend, volunteers and KPD officers will be on hand at several crosswalks to assist pedestrians needing to cross the race course to reach hotels, restaurants, theaters and other downtown destinations between races and/or when deemed safe.

Additional road closures are specific to the race days, times and routes: 

Criterium Race closures
Friday, June 24, 4-10 p.m. 

• This closure will affect traffic on parts of S. Gay Street, W. Hill Avenue and Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Drive. The ramp onto James White Parkway will be inaccessible from Main Street due to the Gay Street closure. Any vehicles parked inside the circle course in private lots—including the Dwight Kessel Garage and the surface lot across from First Presbyterian Church—will be unable to exit until the Crit concludes.

• The Criterium’s 1.1-mile route is: S. Gay Street to W. Hill Avenue, left on Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Drive, left on E. Church Avenue, right on State Street, left on Clinch Avenue and left onto S. Gay Street. 


Pro-Road Championships closures
Sunday, June 26, 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. 

• Roads on the course will be closed for the entire race. However, at designated crossing points, Knoxville Police officers will safely direct vehicles across the course when cyclists are not present. 

• The Championships’ 7.9-mile route is: Begin on S. Gay Street, left on Council Place, right on Atchley Street, right on Mimosa Avenue, left on Sherrod Road, continue on Davenport Road, left on Wynn Avenue, continue on Cottrell Street, left on Anita Drive, left onto James White Parkway, exit on Historic Preservation Drive, right on Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Drive, left on Church Avenue, right on State Street, left on Clinch Avenue and left onto S. Gay Street. 


Visit Knoxville’s webpage has complete details of crossing/access points, schedules and maps of road closures and race courses: www.visitknoxville.com/usa-cycle-knox.

Questions about logistics? Please call Visit Knoxville at 865-523-7263.