Tour de Georgia races through Millen
By Jim Hite

Above, cyclists in the Tour de Georgia race to the sprint line at the Jenkins County Courthouse. Tyler Farrar, right, of the United States led all riders to the sprint line in front of the Jenkins County Courthouse as the Tour de Georgia made its first visit to Millen and Jenkins County April 22.

Tyler Farrar of the United States led all riders to the sprint line in front of the Jenkins County Courthouse as the Tour de Georgia presented by AT&T made its first visit to Millen and Jenkins County April 22.

Racing as a member of Team Slipstream Chipotle, Farrar not only picked up five points in the quest for the sprint leader's jersey but also won a Millen/ Jenkins County afghan and pillow which were presented to him at the finish in Augusta as mementos from the Millen- Jenkins County Chamber of Commerce.

The cyclists entered the city limits just after noon. Leaving Statesboro around 11 a.m., the riders pedaled through Rocky Ford, then swung left on GA 17 reaching the county line at Scarboro. Entering the Millen city limits, the riders were greeted with a large and enthusiastic group from Jenco waving American flags provided by the VFW and yelling their greetings as the cyclists crossed the railroad tracks and turned left on Cotton Avenue Business owners, employees, shoppers and residents lined Cotton Avenue, highlighted by a blue-shirted crew organized by Art Johnson representing Millen's Better Hometown.

(Photo contributed)

After a sharp turn onto Winthrope, lined with cheering and flag-waving spectators, the race was on for the sprint line. In less than two blocks, the group turned left on Masonic, where Jenkins County High JROTC members stood at every street crossing and more residents yelled encouragement. At Jordan St., Dr. Leonard Campo led the cheers, waving a Colom- bian flag to encourage his favorite, Colombia's Santiago Botero.

Crossing GA 21, the riders reached the 50 kilometer mark as they turned onto Hiltonia Road on their way to Hiltonia, Sardis, Girard, and the finish in Augusta.

This sixth edition of the Tour de Georgia was a six-day cycling spectacular that took riders from the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South America and Europe across east, middle, and north Georgia from Tybee Island to Atlanta, over the flat and rolling roads of this area to Road Atlanta speedway in Braselton, the mountains of North Georgia, and ending with a four-lap, 10 mile circuit around Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta.