Race returns to Main Street after construction hiatus
The Green Mountain Stage Race concluded in Burlington on Monday, returning its final day to the city’s downtown after organisers diverted the stage last year because of construction. Organisers said the project has finished, leaving what one official described as improved pavement for the riders.
More than 600 cyclists lined up for the Burlington stage, the fourth straight day of racing after earlier stages in the Mad River Valley and the challenging Appalachian Gap. The final stage wound through the city’s downtown core, bringing spectators into the same corridor of restaurants and cultural landmarks that frame downtown life.
Officials and riders praise smoother roads, stress security
Race Director Gary Kessler welcomed the restored finish, noting the change in surface quality downtown. "It's great to have such nice, smooth pavement," he said. "It's safer for the racers and it's just more fun for them as well." Safer pavement was a recurring theme among participants and organisers, who said improved road surfaces matter for rider safety and race quality.
Despite the return to Burlington, organisers urged participants and visitors to remain vigilant about security. They strongly recommended riders lock their bikes in the downtown area following reports of persistent thefts at recent events. The advisory underlined that while the stage itself was again running on city streets, personal-property risk remains a concern at crowded public gatherings.
International field, local connections
The stage race attracted competitors from across the United States and other countries. Riders reflected on the mix of competition, challenge and camaraderie the event fosters. Miles Billings, who won his age category on Monday, described the feeling of racing on Main Street as something like returning home, referencing the local venues he visited during his college years. "It's just like a homecoming for me and I love it," he said.
Other riders emphasised the intensity of the event. "You come out here and you get the life kicked out of you…" said Hannah Baade of Brooklyn, New York, calling the race both humbling and fun. Cedrec Fiset from Val-d'Or, Quebec, pointed to the energy of competing across borders: "It's nice to race with the other country and the energy is really high so it's nice for sure." Their comments underscore the event’s role as a regional draw that brings cross-border competitors into Vermon t communities.
- Event size: more than 600 riders
- Stages: four consecutive days, including Mad River Valley and Appalachian Gap
- Local reminder: organisers advise locking bikes because of theft risk
What the return means for the city
For Burlington, reinstating the downtown finish reconnects the race with Main Street businesses and cultural venues that benefit from visitor foot traffic. Spectators gathered along the route, and riders we spoke with noted the downtown backdrop, including landmarks near the Flynn Theatre, as part of the appeal of finishing in the city centre.
Organisers have increasingly emphasised the dual goals of safety and spectator experience. The smooth pavement was presented as a safety win for racers, but the security advisory is a reminder that hosting major events also requires attention to logistics beyond the racecourse — from bike storage to crowd management.
| Stage | Region |
|---|---|
| Stage 1–3 | Mad River Valley; Appalachian Gap (earlier stages) |
| Stage 4 (finale) | Burlington downtown Main Street |
The Green Mountain Stage Race’s return to Burlington reinforces the city’s place on the regional cycling calendar. For riders and fans who travel to compete or spectate, the event combines the physical challenge of the Vermont hills with the urban finish that highlights Burlington’s downtown revitalisation.
"It's great to have such nice, smooth pavement. It's safer for the racers and it's just more fun for them as well," Race Director Gary Kessler said.
As the regional cycling season progresses, organisers and municipal partners will likely continue to balance infrastructure improvements with event safety and community impacts. For now, Burlington’s Main Street enjoyed a high-energy welcome back to the race circuit.
