INDIANAPOLIS — For the last two days, some of the best cyclists in the country have competed in Momentum Indy.
"The races are like the Indy 500 on bikes," said Jennifer Cvar, executive director of Momentum Indy.
This festival is part of the American Criterium Cup, a national road cycling series. While many of the biggest cycling names competed this weekend, many like IU student Wiley Close competed for the first time.
"I knew I had the legs for the 4/5," Close said. "This is going to be a long race just to get it going and started."
Close competed alongside many of his teammates. He said while there was pressure being an Indiana cyclist, it helped him throughout the competition.
"Once somebody yelled that I had 20 seconds to the pack, I was like, 'OK, it's all or nothing,'" Close said.
With a far lead, Close won his first Indy Crit.
"It was nerve-racking but very exciting, you just want to see your kid win," his mom, Katie, said.
"It was such a great day to see him pull away and win it by that much," his dad, Brent, said.
Once Momentum Indy finishes Saturday night, many of the cyclists will head to Chicago to continue in the national series.