The race to the 2021 summer Olympic games is coming through the Rocket City

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) - The race to the 2021 Summer Olympic Games is coming through the Rocket City!

The 2021 US Paralympics Cycling Open is taking place this weekend, April 17-18.

It’s the first event for these athletes since the start of the pandemic and everyone is competing for a chance to represent team USA in the upcoming summer games.

But before you come to cheer on Team USA, you should be warned several roads through Huntsville will be blocked off.

Surrounding roads won’t be shut down until 6 a.m. on race day. But you will start seeing athletes training Thursday and Friday afternoon.

The majority of the athletes will start arriving in town Tuesday. Roads in Cummings Research Park will be impacted by the races. On Saturday and Sunday, Explorer Boulevard will be closed from 6am until about 5pm.

“So, the course itself is Explorer Boulevard and some roads within Cummings Research Park,” said Claire Aiello with the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber. “The main route, Explorer Boulevard that loops around the park that is what we want people to understand. They cannot drive on Explorer Boulevard after 6am either day. That is early and we do not expect spectators to be out there that early but they close it that early so they can prepare the course each morning and to give the athletes a little chance to practice out there and get warmed up.”

Spectators are encouraged to come cheer on the athletes as they compete for a spot-on Team USA.

You can drive in Voyager Way, Jan Davis Drive, or Enterprise Way to Discovery Drive.

For more information, click here.

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