Come Cheer for Team USA! Public is invited to U.S. Paralympics Cycling Open in Huntsville Claire Aiello
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WILLIAM GROULX – CREDIT: TEAM USA
RYAN BOYLE – CREDIT: TEAM USA
ll are invited to Cummings Research Park (CRP) the weekend of April 17-18 to cheer on more than 100 premier athletes competing for a spot on Team USA. The U.S. Paralympics Cycling Open presented by Toyota is the first of four domestic cycling events set to take place ahead of the Paralympic Games, which will be held in Tokyo in late August. This is the return to racing for many of the athletes, as competition was cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic. The Huntsville event will serve as a selection race for world cup races in Belgium and Italy, where Team USA Para-cyclists will seek qualification and selection for the Paralympic Games. “As a proud partner of Team USA and U.S. Paralympics Cycling, and a long-standing partner with the City of Huntsville and Huntsville/Madison County Chamber, it’s an honor for Toyota to present the U.S. Paralympics Cycling Open,” said April Mason, general manager of administration, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama. “We’re excited that they’re hosting such an important event in Huntsville, home to our Toyota Alabama team members, and we look forward to supporting our partners and their needs to host a successful event.” Planning for the Huntsville event has been underway for months. Athletes will travel from around the Southeast and the U.S. to compete, and we even have a Paralympian who lives right here in Alabama! The public is welcome, and no tickets are needed. Come and locate along the course with your family and cheer on the racers as they loop around Explorer Boulevard. “Cummings Research Park has been the site of several events for runners and cyclists over the years,” said Erin Koshut, the Park’s Executive Director. “With our wide streets, plenty of miles, low vehicle traffic on weekends and great locations for spectators, CRP is well suited to play host to these exemplary athletes on their journey to Tokyo. I know our more than 320 companies in the Park look forward to supporting the athletes and the Paralympics in this endeavor.” The events will take place rain or shine. Even though Alabama’s mask mandate will be lifted by race weekend, attendees are encouraged to follow current CDC guidelines. We will have signs posted along the race course encouraging families to space apart. We’ve shared information with our local schools to encourage students to make posters, to give a big “Rocket City Welcome” to the athletes and their support teams. We encourage companies along the race course in CRP to invite employees and families out for the day and have a big show of support. Special thanks to our local sponsors who are helping make this happen: Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama, Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Raytheon Technologies, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, PHOENIX, Aerojet Rocketdyne, Nesin Physical Therapy, and KBR.