Hurricane Helene causes changes to Omnium

May 7, 2025

Mountain top finish unchanged

May 7, 2025 /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – Hurricane Helene created massive damage in Tennessee counties, Carter and Unicoi, where the Carter County Omnium takes place.  The Omnium’s three race weekend continues with the same format on May 31, June 1 were riders will see a few changes.. The Carter County Roan Groan only requires a relocation of the registration and start. It is still the jewel of the weekend races. UCI European racer, Stephen Bassett, describes it as “one of the most scenic climbs in the world”.  This is an unchanged  category 1 climb mountain top finish, through the Cherokee National Forest., for all categories. The distances (30,55, and 80 miles) remains the same as previous years and the climbs are unchanged. 

The Temple Hill Time Trial course is unchanged as it passes by the flooded and destroyed Unicoi County Hospital.

The main US Highway 321 through Elizabethton, is closed where it crosses the Doe River due to flood damage to the bridge, making Elk Ave the main Hwy through downtown. In previous years Elk Ave has been closed for the Eastman Credit Union Criterium but must remain open for local traffic this year. The closing requires the ECU Criterium to be relocated to the Tennessee College of Applied Technology Elizabethton. This new location is still a flat six turn course after all the climbing of the road race and time trial.

The Carter County Omnium has been the developer of young racing talent  throughout it’s 20 year history. The omnium averages 31% of it’s competitors as U23 (under 23 years of age). One graduate is Stephen Bassett riding for Project Echlon. At 15 in 2010, he won the category 3 Omnium and has won the Pro1/2 category many times since, including 2024. Another graduate is Artem Shmidt riding for  Ineos Grenadiers this year at 21. He raced for Milligan University and raced the Omnium several times.

The Hurricane downed many trees but the forested beauty is still intact. All but one of the State Parks have reopened and the area remains a premier vacation location.

Complete information for spectators and competitors at “http://www.cartercountyomium.com/”www.cartercountyomium.com.

Reneau Dubberley

Race Director
423-926-8228
director@jcomnium.com