The USA Cycling Professional Road National Championships return to the Knoxville area this weekend (June 23-25, 2023) for the sixth time, bringing exciting races, a new public event at Safety City and a few road closures. 

This world-class cycling event, which draws fans from around the country, requires closure of several downtown streets on the evening of Friday, June 23, and roads in downtown, South Knoxville and East Knoxville all day on Sunday, June 25.

Gay Street between Church and Cumberland avenues will serve as the USA Cycling staging area and close to traffic at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 22, and remain closed until 9 p.m. Sunday, June 25. The starting and finish line is at Gay Street and Cumberland Avenue. 

Spectators are invited to watch the race on the big screen located at Gay Street in front of the Tennessee Theatre or along the route. 

Throughout race weekend, volunteers and Knoxville Police Department officers will be on hand at multiple 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.

Criterium closures
Friday, June 23, 4-10 p.m. 

• This road closure creates a circle course and will affect traffic on parts of South Gay Street, West 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 course on the street or in private lots will be unable to exit until the Crit concludes, at approximately 10 p.m. 

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

Olympic Day at Safety City
Saturday, June 24, 12-2 p.m. 

• Children and families are invited to bring their striders, push bikes or pedal bikes and helmets to participate in progressive bike activities and meet Olympic athletes and professional racers at Safety City, 165 S. Concord Street. This free, family-friendly event includes food trucks and vendor and USA Cycling giveaways. (Pets are not permitted at Safety City.) 


Pro-Road Championships closures
Sunday, June 25, 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 South 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 South Gay Street. 


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

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