Tucson Bicycle Classic brings bike circuit race to OV on March 5
Published on February 09, 2023
ORO VALLEY, Ariz. (Feb. 9, 2023) – The Town of Oro Valley is pleased to announce a partnership with Tucson Bicycle Classic, a three-day stage race March 3 – 5, which will bring a circuit race to Oro Valley on March 5, from approximately 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Oro Valley race route will be around Naranja Park and is expected to bring about 600-700 professional riders.
The race route/circuit around Naranja Park is just over four miles long, and riders will complete that route up to seven times, providing spectators an excellent opportunity to view these athletes in action multiple times. The race will begin and end near the entrance to Naranja Park (810 W. Naranja Drive), with various viewing areas along the route. Please see map below for suggested locations. On event day, Naranja Park will be closed to all vehicles except to the racers.
Traffic restrictions and closures
On race day, area motorists should expect traffic delays and/or lane restrictions on the follow roads in the vicinity of Naranja Park. Traffic cones, signs and police will be along the course route to direct traffic. Click here for a map.
- Naranja Drive, from La Cañada Drive to Monterra Vista Drive, will only be open to east-bound traffic. West-bound lanes will be completely closed.
- La Cañada Drive, from Naranja Drive to Tangerine Road, will have lane reductions/restrictions, but travel will remain open in both directions.
- Monterra Vista Drive, from Naranja Drive to Tangerine Road, will only be open to northbound traffic. South-bound lane will be closed.
- Tangerine Road, from La Cañada Drive to Monterra Vista Drive, will have lane reductions/restrictions, but travel will remain open in both directions.
- Copper Creek Drive will be closed at the Naranja Drive entrance. Motorists may enter the neighborhood from La Cañada Drive or Tangerine Road.
Spectator information
The Town invites the community to come and watch the circuit race, but please plan ahead due to traffic delays and restrictions. Since the Oro Valley circuit is the third and final day of racing, the race will be action-packed and a great way for people of all ages to see what competitive cycling is all about. Along the route, there are designated areas that offer unique vantage points. Parking will be available at the Oro Valley Town Hall/Oro Valley Public Library Campus (11000 N. La Cañada Drive). Please note that since parking is not available at some of the spectator locations, you will only be able to walk or ride a bike. See map below for recommended viewing locations.
The benefits of hosting this event in Oro Valley
In addition to providing excellent spectator opportunities for our residents and budding athletes, races such as the Tucson Bicycle Classic contribute to a healthy economy. Event planners and Town staff have been intentional about selecting and promoting Oro Valley’s hotels, restaurants, vendors and local businesses to help keep those sales tax and bed tax dollars right here, where they are reinvested into the quality services, infrastructure and public safety that our residents enjoy. Lastly, the agreement between the Town of Oro Valley and Tucson Bicycle Classic is one of the ways the Town is delivering on an economic vitality goa in the Council-adopted Strategic Leadership Plan, which states: “Identify strategies to entice area residents and visitors to choose Oro Valley as a premiere place to dine, shop, play and stay.”
Race route details
The race begins with a staggered start near the entrance of Naranja Park at 7:30 a.m., and ends around 3:30 p.m. Upon exiting the park, racers will move in a clockwise direction around the route, first heading west on Naranja Drive to La Cañada Drive; north up La Cañada Drive to Tangerine Road; then east on Tangerine Road to Monterra Vista Drive; turning south on Monterra Vista Drive to Naranja Drive; and finally west on Naranja Drive to complete the circuit near the park’s entrance. Cyclists will complete this loop up to seven times. Click here to view the route map.
Media contact
For questions about the event, please contact Oro Valley’s Tourism Strategies Coordinator Andrew Fairbanks at 520-229-4846 or afairbanks@orovalleyaz.gov.
About the Tucson Bicycle Classic
The Tucson Bicycle Classic is a three-day competitive stage race scheduled to take place March 3-5. Tucson Bicycle Classic is USA Cycling sanctioned. Proceeds from this event will benefit El Grupo Youth Cycling, a nonprofit youth cycling organization in Tucson. For more information about the Tucson Bicycle Classic, click here.
Race map
