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"A huge sporting event normally held in Europe is coming to the United States for the first time and Louisville is the location.The Cyclocross World Championships will take place Feb. 2 and 3.The event is bringing big changes to traffic on River Road starting Monday.Officials call the Cyclocross World Championships the Super Bowl of cycling.\u201CCycling teams from 25 countries from around the world, world TV will be here with hundreds of international journalists and 5,000 to 6,000 people,\" said Karl Schmitt, with the Louisville Sports Commission.The world championships take the best cyclists over pavement, sand, mud and even obstacles that force cyclists to carry their bikes.To show the world what Louisville has to offer, the city is preparing.\"We're building an enormous amount of infrastructure at Eva Bandman Park which is going to cause some inconvenience for drivers,\u201D Schmitt said.From Monday to next Saturday, River Road from Edith Avenue to Frankfort Avenue will be closed. Access will still be available for businesses through Zorn Avenue, but officials said that inconvenience will pale in light of the benefits coming to the city, including the crowd of international visitors and revelers.\"A lot of people with painted faces and dressed in flags and a bit irreverent. It's a huge opportunity to welcome the International Cycling Union to our town,\u201D Schmitt said.The event will also bring in about $5 million that will impact city restaurants and hotels and bring in tax dollars. Since it is televised worldwide, Louisville will also be getting exposure. \u00A0The 1.2-mile course runs from River Road through Eva Bandman Park.The event begins Feb. 2 with the first race each day starting at 11 a.m. and the second at 2:30 p.m.Festivities will begin days earlier with booths and international merchandise along River Road."^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.wlky.com/article/preps-for-cyclocross-world-championship-close-river-road-1/3742185>