By Colleen Kane
Enquirer staff writer

Between 150-200 bicycling enthusiasts, ranging from beginner to elite, are expected to hit Harbin Park in Fairfield Sunday for the first Bio-Wheels/United Dairy Farmers UCI Cyclo-cross race.

The race, which is sanctioned by the UCI, international cycling's governing body, will offer competitors more than $4,000 in cash and prizes and UCI points that count toward national and world rankings.

But this isn't your ordinary bike race.

Cyclo-cross is a combination of road racing and mountain biking on a course that often contains a variety of surfaces, including grass, pavement, sand and mud. Race organizer and Bio-Wheels co-owner Mitch Graham said spectators can expect a fan-friendly race, with a tight-turning course and barriers like hay bales or sand pits that cause racers to dismount their bikes temporarily.

"It's pretty exciting in that Cyclo-cross you can see the majority of racing from one spot," Graham said. "If you're watching a mountain bike race, you might see 30 seconds of the race. ... Cyclo-cross is much more spectator-friendly."

Graham is part of a local cyclo-cross community that has been building for about 10 years now, he said, hosting local events and even the Ohio State Cyclo-cross Championships for a few years. He hopes to keep this race here annually.

"It's great for the area, and it's great for the local cyclo-cross series that's been around here for about six years," said elite cyclo-cross competitor Phil Noble. "It draws attention that the Midwest area can support a big bike race like this."

Noble, a resident of Dayton, will be one of the local favorites in Sunday's race after he placed third at the UCI race in Michigan last weekend. "Home course advantage helps a lot," Noble said.

Among other top competitors expected to race are Cincinnatian Al Senft, two-time collegiate national champion Jed Schneider and former national champion (Pro/Elite 30-34) Jeff Weinert, who won the Michigan race last weekend. About 30 racers are expected in the men's elite race and about 10 in the women's elite race, Graham said.

On-site registration will be available Sunday. Beginners' races start at 11 a.m. The women's elite race will take off at noon, followed by the men's elite race at 2 p.m.