The Ninth Street Derby will be held on Sunday April 21, 2013

While the only cycling race that most people know of is the Tour de France, what many people don't know is that Durham has it's own cycling race.

The Ninth Street Derby is a full day of criterium bicycle racing for bicyclists of all stripes and types.  Duke Cycling and Handlebar Velo Coaching will present the event on Sunday April 21 from 8:00am to 7:00pm.  Competitors will turn laps on a half-mile rectangle encompassing the Ninth Street District on Ninth, Perry, Iredell, and Markham Streets.

"Criterium bicycle racing is a lot like NASCAR," said Rusty Miller, race promoter and Duke Cycling Head Coach.  "The spectacle is pure speed and the constant possibility of pile-ups" as racers sprint around city streets in a tight pack and jostle for the best drafting positions.  Competitors will reach speeds near 40 mph in pursuit of the Derby title, he said.

Morning races will feature ACC Conference Championship events for collegiate teams.  Duke Cycling seeks to defend its 2012 regular-season conference title as well as its 2012 tournament title in the criterium.  Duke student Matthew Howe aims to defend his 2012 criterium championship with help from teammates Matthew Rinehart and Mike Mulvihill, the top-ranked individuals in 2013 regular-season conference racing.  Powerhouse squads from UNC, NC State, Wake Forest, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia, and the US Naval Academy will battle on the streets of Durham for championship honors at 11:40am.

Runners take center stage at 12:50pm in the Derby Dash, a 1-mile footrace open to all, with proceeds benefitting the Bike & Build nonprofit.

Bicycle racing resumes at 1:20pm with events open to all ages and ability levels.  The Locopops Kids Derby will be held at 5:00pm for children 10 and under, just before the day climaxes with the Pro-Am event at 5:30.  State and national amateur champions will rub elbows  among the fastest professionals from across the eastern seaboard during 60 laps of racing.  For registration information, click here. Spectators are encouraged to watch the races anywhere on Ninth Street (between Perry and Hillsborough Road). For parking information, click here.

About The Ninth Street Derby 
The Ninth Street Derby is a day of championship bicycle races for the ACC Conference and for the community at large. For more information, email Rusty Miller, Duke Cycling Head Coach, call (919) 818-6751, or visit the event website

For more information about all the events happening here, visit Durham Event Calendar.