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Community Corner

Summer Hot Spots: Carl Zach Race

This event offers a great chance for serious racers as well as kids to come out and have some fun cycling.

The Waukesha Carl Zach Cycling Classic, named after a substitute teacher who lost his life in a July 4, 2000 race, will take place in downtown Waukesha Sunday, June 19.

This race is the last leg of a larger cycling competition called Tour of America’s Dairyland. The Carl Zach race began in 1994 when it was Tour De Spring City. Two years later it was taken over by the Waukesha Business Improvement District and renamed the Waukesha Cycling Classic.

Carl Zach was killed on July 4, 2000 in Fox Point that year when an ambulance backed out on the course on the last lap of the race, according to Randy Radish, race director.

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Radish said that many of the bikers had their heads down as they biked quickly to the finish line. An entire group ran into the ambulance. Zach was killed and many others were injured.  The Waukesha race was then renamed as a tribute to him.

There are racers of all abilities that compete in the race, including those just starting to race. Radish said, however, that it is a race for professional riders and requires a license to compete.

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“I think our pro race is going to be jammed," Radish said about the turnout he expects. "I think they’re going to have to turn people away.”

Junior Boys & Girls under 15 is at 11 a.m., Junior Boys & Girls 15-18 is at 11:25 a.m., Women Category 3/4 is at 11:50 a.m., Category 4/5 is at 12:35 p.m., Masters 3/4 35+ is at 1:30 p.m., Category 2/3 is at 2:30 p.m., Pro Women 1/2/3 is at 3:30 p.m., Masters 1/2/3 35+ is at 4:40 p.m. and Pro Men 1/2 is at 6:30 p.m.

More information as well as registration, which is$35, can be found at www.tourofamericasdairyland.com. This also breaks down the different prizes for different legs of the races.

Also this day is the Kiddie Klassic, which is broken into three age groups between ages 3 and 9.

The Kiddie Klassic begins with a Bike Safety Program at 5 p.m. and then a short race between Veteran’s Park and Maple Avenue. Registration for the Kiddie Klassic is $5 in advance or $7 on the day of the event.

This will be Radish’s last year as race director and the BID is still searching for someone to take over the event.

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