Thousands of people came to downtown Rochester on Saturday to watch professional bicycle racers. It was the return of the Twilight Criterium, which first ran from 2004 to 2008, but then took a hiatus for several years partly due to the economy and the end of business for its title sponsor, Saturn.
But the enthusiasm seemed to be back on Saturday, and racers at times topping 40 mph through a one mile loop in the center city into the late evening.
Around 350 cyclists took part in the various events that are part of the Criterium.
Spectators lined the course, with some of them moving around to catch a better glimpse of the cyclists. The Criterium is one of 16 races that are sanctioned as part of a national schedule.
The race was organized with the help of Scott Page and the Full Moon Vista Bike shop, and Mayor Lovely Warren has estimated it would generate about $1.2 million in economic activity for the area.
