The inaugural Tour of Pennsylvania bicycle race won't stop in Lancaster County as it heads west from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, but riders will cross the northeast part of the county and sprint through Ephrata, organizers say.

The Ephrata sprint comes on Wednesday, June 25. It will be during the second stage of the six-day race, a 91-mile route between Downingtown and Carlisle, organizers said last week.

Twenty teams of six riders each will leave Downingtown at 10 a.m. The route through Lancaster County, released Friday, shows riders will stay on U.S Route 322.

The riders will likely arrive in Ephrata between 11:10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., depending on their speed.

According to race organizers, the Norristown-based Pro Cycling Tour, state police will be controlling traffic for the race. Troopers will be stopping all motor vehicles in both directions of Route 322 for the race. They will reopen the road after the riders pass. The rolling closure should have traffic blocked for 15 to 20 minutes at any point along the route, organizers said.

Typically in stage races, such as the famous Tour de France, there is an overall winner at the end with the lowest combined time for all the stages. There are also competitions within the overall race, for the best sprinter and climber and winners of the individual stages. The first rider across the sprint line on Ephrata's State Street will get points toward the sprinter competition and time bonuses that will lower his time for the overall competition.

There will be a contested climb just across the Lebanon County line at Spring Hill.

The stage starts in Philadelphia on Tuesday, June 24. It ends in Pittsburgh June 29 after 450 miles of racing.

The race is an "espoirs" race for riders age 24 and younger. It is the only such race in the United States. Half the riders will be from U.S.-based teams. The remaining riders will be coming from as far away as South Africa, Australia, Argentina and Belgium.

Although this year's race is tied to Pittsburgh's anniversary celebration, the Pro Cycling Tour hopes to make the Tour of Pennsylvania an annual event, such as statewide stage races being held in California, Georgia and Missouri.


Staff writer Bernard Harris can be reached at bharris@LNPnews.com or 481-6022.