Tour de Georgia cyclists pass through Millen next week

Map showing route of the Tour de Georgia as it races through Millen and Jenkins County. Pick your spot and cheer as loudly as you are able. The riders' time here will be short. Don't miss it.

In less than one week, 150 of the world's best professional and amateur cyclists will race through Millen and Jenkins County as the Tour de Georgia makes its first visit ever to this area.

This seven-day stage race will leave Tybee Island for Savannah on April 21, and leave Statesboro on April 22 for Augusta, passing through Jenkins County. The race will carry the riders across the northern part of the state, finishing with a 10 loop criterium in downtown Atlanta.

The riders are expected to enter Jenkins County at Scarboro around 11:30 a.m. and turn from GA 17 onto Cotton Avenue around noon. Riders will race on Cotton Avenue to Winthrope Avenue, make a sharp right and race to the sprint line, turn on Masonic/GA 23 to Hiltonia Road and finish the day in Augusta.

The highlight of the Millen visit will be the sprint line on Winthrope Ave. at Daniel Street. Each sprint throughout the race provides points to the winners, with the sprinter's award going to the rider with the highest point total at the end of the race.

The winner of the sprint in Millen will also be given a Jenkins County afghan, provided by the Millen/Jenkins County Chamber of Commerce.

Road crossings along the route will be closed and parking restricted on Cotton Avenue Residents are urged to fill the downtown area and line the route in and out of town, cheer for all the riders, wave an American flag and enjoy this oncein a-lifetime experience.

Residents and business owners can show a great deal of civic pride by cleaning up the litter in front of their homes or businesses.

While thousands of Georgians will line the route across the state, thousands more from across the country and even Europe will come to Georgia as well. Over 400 media credentials have been provided to media from around the world. SportSouth will televise the Tour beginning with the Preview Show on April 19 at 10:30 p.m. and then show a recap of the day's stage most evenings at 10:30 p.m. starting on April 21 and repeating at 9:30 a.m. the following day. Also, Versus Channel will broadcast four hours of the Tour de Georgia from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on April 28 and 29.