Palm Beach to Host Championship Cycling

Palm Beach County will be become a championship cycling destination this May. The Palm Beach County Sports Commission is partnering with Extreme Sports Productions to host the 2019 Bill Bone Florida State Criterium Championships.

This epic cycling event will take place on Saturday, May 18th in West Palm Beach. Criterium cycling races offer one of the most electrifying experiences for both the participants and spectators. Criterium races take place on a short loop course, typically less than a mile. Cyclists repeat the loop in a timed race, which will range from 20 minutes to 60 minutes, depending on age group and skill category. Criterium races are fast and furious and spectators will see the riders whiz by repeatedly, sometimes as fast as 30 miles per hour.

The 2019 Bill Bone Florida State Criterium Championships will feature a .9-mile closed course located off Flagler Drive and Clematis Street in downtown West Palm Beach. This course provides an incredible atmosphere and is surrounded by fantastic restaurants and a vibrant nightlife on Clematis Street, which will be enjoyed by the participants and their families. The Criterium Championships will feature male and female divisions, involving a variety of skill classes and age groups that range from youth to adult. This race is sanctioned by the Florida Bicycle Racing Association (FBRA), which is a chapter of USA Cycling, the national governing body for the sport. 

The Bill Bone Gran Fondo “Ride with the Champions” will take place on Sunday, May 19. This is a non-competitive ride through West Palm Beach. Gran Fondo is a long-distance bike ride and includes cyclists of all ability levels. Local and traveling cycling enthusiast will have an opportunity to ride alongside the cyclists that were competing for a state criterium championship on the previous day.

The 2019 Bill Bone Florida State Criterium Championships and Grand Fondo will create a strong economic benefit for The Palm Beaches. Approximately 800 athletes and 2,000 spectators are expected to travel from across Florida to participate. Restaurants, shops, and retail outlets throughout downtown West Palm Beach will be jam packed. The event will create a surge of visitor spending throughout West Palm Beach.