Hammerfest draws crowds, professional cyclists

USA Crit, together with the Alabama Sports Council, hosted Birmingham Hammerfest, the first-ever preseason cycling criterium race on March 16 in the Lakeview District of downtown Birmingham.

Also called American Street Track Racing, the race style has been described as "NASCAR on bikes," and with professional teams averaging around 30 miles per hour, it's just that. Riders followed the approximate 1-mile track, which formed a rectangle around the district.

The event was open to participation from any rider throughout the day, and the professional men's and women's teams finished out the event in the evening. Learn more about USA Crit at usacrits.com.