Wilmington Grand Prix Earns
National Calendar Slot for 9th Straight Year

The Wilmington Grand Prix, one of the premier criterium-style bike races in the U.S., will celebrate its 10th anniversary May 13-15, 2016. For the ninth straight year, the Grand Prix will be part of USA Cycling’s National Race Calendar.

USA Cycling’s (USAC) National Racing Calendar is made up of the top bike races in America and features racers competing for the NRC points championship in team and individual categories. (A criterium is a bike race of a specified number of laps held on a closed course on public roads.)

This year, just 24 races were named to the NRC, while more than 3,000 sanctioned bike races occur annually in the U.S. The Wilmington Grand Prix is eighth stop on the calendar, which opens April 2 in Anniston, AL, and concludes Sept. 17 in Boston, MA.

“The Wilmington Grand Prix continues to be one of the premier criterium races in the nation,” said USA Cycling’s VP of National Events, Micah Rice. “Racers love the technical nature of the course and the enthusiastic crowds that greet them. We’re thrilled to feature the Wilmington Grand Prix on our National Calendar.”

“We are proud that the Grand Prix continues to be considered one of the elite races in the country,” said Chris Giacomucci, Executive Director of the Delaware Sports Commission. “This race is a showcase for the city of Wilmington and a signature event for the state of Delaware.”

The action starts Friday night (May 13) with the Monkey Hill Time Trial, a 3.2-mile race against the clock through Wilmington’s Brandywine Park. Saturday (May 14) will feature four amateur races in the morning, culminating with the Women’s Pro and Men’s Pro races in the afternoon. Sunday (May 15) will see the return of the Sixth Annual Governor’s Ride and the Fifth Annual Delaware Gran Fondo. Last year’s Gran Fondo attracted cyclists from 17 states, including Maine, Florida and Colorado, by offering them a scenic tour through the Brandywine Valley and some of Delaware’s most-prized cultural attractions.

“We have committed to making Delaware more bicycle-friendly because it’s an investment in improving our state’s quality of life and in providing opportunities for our people to be active,” said Governor Jack Markell. “This event is a perfect way to highlight our efforts and a great opportunity to allow visitors to see all that Wilmington has to offer.”

Since 2012, the Wilmington Grand Prix generated more than $2.5 million in economic impact for the local economy, says Mayor Dennis P. Williams: “We look forward to inviting cyclists, families, neighbors and visitors to Wilmington for the weekend. We are proud that the Wilmington Grand Prix has grown to this level. We welcome everyone to come see for themselves what Wilmington has to offer.”

What People Are Saying

  • “…vendors, a craft beer garden, live music, and the weather looks like it's going to be perfect.”
    Drip Cafe
  • “As an announcer, I’ve worked events all over the world, including the World Championships. What impressed me about the Wilmington Grand Prix was not the great course, the city support, the vendors, and the commercial support visible in front of the curtain. What impressed my trained eye was the solid organization working behind the curtain. This is an event with an organization capable of going really big time.”
    Richard Fries, Event Announcer, Eleven Event Services
  • “What a great event and super organized. Everyone from the police, volunteers, timing and race offi cials, announcers, race staff, riders, etc. were super supportive of our group. The kids had an amazing time and left there inspired to keep training and racing.”
    Ryan Oelkers, Exec. Director, Cadence [Youth] Cycling Foundation
  • “What an amazing cycling event and fun, family-friendly festival to showcase our city! I look forward to coming every year.....and it just keeps getting better! The parade to benefit The Food Bank of Delaware and the Youth Cycling event were perfect additions this year!”
    April Birmingham, Bank of America, VP Community Relations Manager
  • “Whereas I am thoroughly impressed with the production of such a spectacular cycling event, I am even more impressed with how the city of Wilmington not only embraces this event but the citizens also welcome one another regardless of race or socioeconomic status... I look forward to announcing at this event, simply because I know that the crowds will be big and enthusiastic. I also know that the streets will be jammed full of activities. The level of competition at the 2010 edition of this race gives me a clear indication that the Grand Prix of Wilmington has arrived as one of the premiere NRC events on the East Coast.”
    Joseph Jefferson, Event Announcer, President Antietam (Md.) Bike Club
  • “I really like coming to Wilmington. I’ve seen a lot of growth in the race with the number of spectators over the years. It makes it very exciting as a bike racer.”
    Laura Van Gilder, 3-Time Women’s Pro Grand Prix champion & one of winningest sprinters in USA Cycling
  • “Thanks for putting on a great race. My son (16) raced the 2/3 race and placed fourth. This is the second year that he attended it and he hopes to continue racing it for years to come. Thank you and all the volunteers that made it a great and safe event.”
    Mike Baranoski, Race parent
  • “Awesome event yet again—the new course rocks, as the Wilmington venue always has.”
    Drew Armstrong, Racer, NCVC/United Health Group
  • “It was a great weekend of events surrounding the Grand Prix. Your team did a great job of hosting a world-class event.”
    Daryl A. Graham, VP Community Relations, JP Morgan Chase
  • “This was my first time there. I can’t imagine the course being any better suited to a race of this level. Maybe add a little loop around the block at the other end, too? 12turns! I’ll be back...!”
    Paul Tyrrell, Racer, Shore Velocity
  • “I just wanted to write to say thanks and great job for an awesome event this weekend. The course change was fantastic, the atmosphere was great, and the competition, well, it was hard! Good job and I look forward to your next event."
    Brian Kall, Racer, Philadelphia Ciclismo
  • “There was great attendance and lots of new faces getting into the sport of cycling. Anytime 120+ pro-level riders are rocking and rolling through a highly visible ‘S-turn’ on a race course, spectators jaws drop!”
    Rob Garrison, Owner, Garrison’s Cyclery

“There was great attendance and lots of new faces getting into the sport of cycling. Anytime 120+ pro-level riders are rocking and rolling through a highly visible ‘S-turn’ on a race course, spectators jaws drop!”

Rob Garrison, Owner, Garrison’s Cyclery

“…vendors, a craft beer garden, live music, and the weather looks like it’s going to be perfect.”

Drip Cafe

“As an announcer, I’ve worked events all over the world, including the World Championships. What impressed me about the Wilmington Grand Prix was not the great course, the city support, the vendors, and the commercial support visible in front of the curtain. What impressed my trained eye was the solid organization working behind the curtain. This is an event with an organization capable of going really big time.”

Richard Fries, Event Announcer, Eleven Event Services

“What a great event and super organized. Everyone from the police, volunteers, timing and race offi cials, announcers, race staff, riders, etc. were super supportive of our group. The kids had an amazing time and left there inspired to keep training and racing.”

Ryan Oelkers, Exec. Director, Cadence [Youth] Cycling Foundation

“What an amazing cycling event and fun, family-friendly festival to showcase our city! I look forward to coming every year…..and it just keeps getting better! The parade to benefit The Food Bank of Delaware and the Youth Cycling event were perfect additions this year!”

April Birmingham, Bank of America, VP Community Relations Manager

“Whereas I am thoroughly impressed with the production of such a spectacular cycling event, I am even more impressed with how the city of Wilmington not only embraces this event but the citizens also welcome one another regardless of race or socioeconomic status… I look forward to announcing at this event, simply because I know that the crowds will be big and enthusiastic. I also know that the streets will be jammed full of activities. The level of competition at the 2010 edition of this race gives me a clear indication that the Grand Prix of Wilmington has arrived as one of the premiere NRC events on the East Coast.”

Joseph Jefferson, Event Announcer, President Antietam (Md.) Bike Club

“I really like coming to Wilmington. I’ve seen a lot of growth in the race with the number of spectators over the years. It makes it very exciting as a bike racer.”

Laura Van Gilder, 3-Time Women’s Pro Grand Prix champion & one of winningest sprinters in USA Cycling

“Thanks for putting on a great race. My son (16) raced the 2/3 race and placed fourth. This is the second year that he attended it and he hopes to continue racing it for years to come. Thank you and all the volunteers that made it a great and safe event.”

Mike Baranoski, Race parent

“Awesome event yet again—the new course rocks, as the Wilmington venue always has.”

Drew Armstrong, Racer, NCVC/United Health Group

“It was a great weekend of events surrounding the Grand Prix. Your team did a great job of hosting a world-class event.”

Daryl A. Graham, VP Community Relations, JP Morgan Chase

“This was my first time there. I can’t imagine the course being any better suited to a race of this level. Maybe add a little loop around the block at the other end, too? 12turns! I’ll be back…!”

Paul Tyrrell, Racer, Shore Velocity

“I just wanted to write to say thanks and great job for an awesome event this weekend. The course change was fantastic, the atmosphere was great, and the competition, well, it was hard! Good job and I look forward to your next event.”

Brian Kall, Racer, Philadelphia Ciclismo

“There was great attendance and lots of new faces getting into the sport of cycling. Anytime 120+ pro-level riders are rocking and rolling through a highly visible ‘S-turn’ on a race course, spectators jaws drop!”

Rob Garrison, Owner, Garrison’s Cyclery

“…vendors, a craft beer garden, live music, and the weather looks like it’s going to be perfect.”

Drip Cafe

Our Mission Statement

The mission of the Wilmington Grand Prix is to conduct a sporting event that is respected on the national cycling circuit while creating a urban festival that showcases Downtown Wilmington.

The mission of the Wilmington Renaissance Corporation is to develop and implement strategies that will increase the economic vitality of Downtown Wilmington, strengthen its role as a center of education, cultural and social activity, and enhance its reputation as an exciting place to live and visit by marketing Wilmington’s unique history and character. This mission is only achievable when done in collaboration with key partners that support the development of Wilmington’s Downtown