A Grand Return

Bikes rule the streets as Wilmington Grand Prix comes racing back

Turns out, absence does make the heart grow fonder.

After a two-year haitus due to COVID-19, the Wilmington Grand Prix returned for its 14th edition last month. And what a return it was.

Nearly 1,000 riders and racers energized the area over the threeday affair. The event also introduced two new components that will likely become mainstays: The Commuter Challenge, a creative, colorful and crowd-pleasing fundraiser that generated $6,680 for Urban Bike Project; The Major Taylor Community Ride, which drew Black cycling clubs from throughout the region to ride the Grand Prix course with area cyclists and Wilmington residents.

Ride on!

Top row l-r: Pete Borromeo and fellow spectators cheer racers up Monkey Hill; the Women's Pro peleton thunders down the homestretch. Second row l-r: Major Taylor Cycling Clubs kick off the inaugural Major Taylor Community Ride; pro racer William Hacker (N.Y.) was one of many riders to take a spill on the Grand Prix's rainsoaked course; the pro peleton makes the tricky 7th turn off King St. near The Queen. Bottom row l-r: Samuel Seo hauls a collection of young redbud trees up the cobblestones during The Commuter Challenge; cyclist Bijou Vaultz (N.J). chronicles her achievement after completing the famed Monkey Hill Time Trial; a course marshal directs a group of Gran Fondo riders led by the CS Velo pro cycling team; pro cyclist Scott McGill (Md.) had reason to feel affectionate as he won the Time Trial on Friday and the Men's Pro criterium race on Saturday. — Photos by Butch Comegys