Local

Uptown bike race draws in hundreds of professional cyclists Saturday night

CHARLOTTE — Hundreds of professional cyclists were in uptown Charlotte Saturday night for the 11th annual Novant Health Invitational Criterium.

Both the men's and women's races kicked off early Saturday night to raise money and awareness for the Brain Tumor Fund for the Carolinas.

The race draws in thousands of people to uptown every year.

"It's great for Charlotte. All the people that aren't cycling get to see how big it is on a national scene. So it's really great for the city," said Chase Prezioso of Charlotte.

Several streets are closed off Saturday night because of the race. The entire course is closed to traffic until midnight. The closures are mainly impacting Tryon Street and most of the major center city intersections.