The 2010 New Belgium Mass Ave Criterium presented by NUVO takes place Saturday, August 14, 2010 from 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.

The Mass Ave Criterium, now in its third year, has moved to an afternoon and evening schedule to increase the number of racers, spectators and traffic to businesses in the Massachusetts Avenue Cultural District.

Amateur and professional cyclists from across the state will compete in more than ten races along the course through downtown streets. Additionally, this year’s Criterium has earned the opportunity to be the home of the 2010 Indiana Elite State Criterium Championships, a designation expected to increase rider and patron attendance beyond last years’ 300 riders and 2,500 attendees.

The course will be a triangular, 1.06km (2/3 mile) counter-clockwise route following Massachusetts Avenue, Vermont and East Streets, starting and finishing at the 400 block of Massachusetts Ave. Streets on the course will be closed from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. to ensure cyclist and spectator safety. Thru traffic will be detoured appropriately with consideration to vehicle and pedestrian accessibility.

This year’s Criterium includes the addition of several new races including: the National Handcycle Series in conjunction with the US Handcycling Federation and the Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana; the Police & Fire Indianapolis Championships; the HMBA/DINO State Fat Tire Championships; the State Fixed Gear Championships; and the Naptown Roller Girls Race for charity.

In addition to racing, the Mass Ave Criterium will also feature the New Belgium Beer Garden in Davlan Park at the corner of Massachusetts Avenue and Alabama Street The Beer Garden will offer New Belgium beer and premiere spectator seating for attendees 21 and over.

Meters on the course will be covered by IMPD on Friday night with signs that read “No Parking Saturday” and will be removed immediately following the last race at approximately 9:30pm.

Cyclists can visit truesport.com to register for the race. Volunteers can sign up at volunteer@nuvo.net. For more information call 317-254-2400

The event is supported by New Belgium, NUVO, and Bicycle Garage Indy.