Dalton Grand Prix has big plans

Published 8:00 am Sunday, October 15, 2023

The 6th Annual Dalton Grand Prix benefiting the United Way of Northwest Georgia was held recently and it was a success. We had beautiful fall weather and a good turnout from the racers.

We are especially grateful to our sponsors who make this event possible: Shaw Industries, Textile Rubber & Chemical Co., Southern Velo, East Ridge Bicycles, Marketing Alliance Group and Dalton Utilities. We also want to thank all of our volunteers, the Church of God in Cohutta, Coahulla Creek High School, the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office, USA Cycling Officials and everyone who came out to race and spectate.

The Dalton Grand Prix is a multiday event consisting of several waves of a 46-mile road race on Saturday, a 9.3-mile time trial after the road race on Saturday and a criterium held this year on the campus of Coahulla Creek High School on Sunday. We are currently working with city of Dalton officials to bring the criterium to downtown Dalton next year on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024.

Athens has held the Athens Twilight Criterium in downtown Athens since 1980. The 44th Annual Athens Twilight will be held April 26-27, 2024, and is one of the premier cycling races in the USA, attracting top cycling talent from around the world. We envision the Dalton Grand Prix growing to become similar to the Athens Twilight, providing a family-friendly event with food vendors, entertainment and festivities for all. The positive economic impact that Athens Twilight has is tremendous, attracting tens of thousands of spectators every year.

For more information about the Dalton Grand Prix, please visit www.daltongrandprix.weebly.com.