Tour of WW Rolls Into Waitsburg This Weekend

WAITSBURG - Orga­nizers of the Tour of Walla Walla bicycle race report that more than 500 riders will compete this year.

The first stage is set to begin Friday afternoon, with Pro 1 and 2 men starting their 64 mile race at 3:45 p.m. Riders will climb the Middle Waitsburg Road hill and head south before turning onto Ferris Road and then heading north on Lower Waitsburg Road. Af­ter a short stint on Highway 124, the course heads east on Bolles road, returning to downtown Waitsburg.

The Pro 1 and 2 men will complete three laps and the Pro 3 and Masters men will complete two laps.

Saturday's morning time trial and evening criterium will take place in Walla Walla.

On Sunday, the Kellogg Hollow Road Race hits the roads of Columbia County, north of Dayton. Riders will leave downtown Waitsburg and head north on McKay Alto Road toward Whet­stone Hollow Road. The course continues on Thorn Hollow Road, Eager Road and following McKay Alto Road again back toward Waitsburg. Racing begins at 8 a.m. and will continue throughout the day, with women's and men's classes.

On the road courses around Waitsburg and in Co­lumbia County, riders will be accompanied by support vehicles, and marshals will be carefully monitoring the course. Drivers are encour­aged to take caution during this weekend's races.