Source: City of Wilmington
The Wilmington Grand Prix, one of the premier criterium-style bike races in the U.S., will return for its 18th edition this weekend, May 15-17, 2026. The action starts Friday night with the Monkey Hill Time Trial, a 3.2-mile race against the clock through Wilmington’s Brandywine Park. Saturday will feature the Major Taylor Community Ride at 11 am followed by men’s and women’s professional and amateur racing. Sunday will see the return of the 12th Annual Governor’s Ride and the 10th Annual Delaware Gran Fondo. Last year’s Gran Fondo attracted cyclists from 19 states and 7 countries by offering them a scenic tour through the Brandywine Valley and some of Delaware’s most-prized cultural attractions.
Saturday’s Major Taylor Community Ride is free and open to all ability levels. Inspired by Major Taylor’s story documented in The World’s Fastest Man: The Extraordinary Life of Cyclist Major Taylor, America’s First Black Sports Hero, the half-hour event offers individual and family participation and allows riders to do as many or as few laps as they wish. Registration is available here.
More information about the Grand Prix weekend is available at wilmgrandprix.com. Traffic and Travel Notice
Brandywine Park—Monkey Hill Time Trial (Friday, May 15 only; 4 pm – 8 pm)18th Street from N. Van Buren to N. BroomLovering Ave. from DuPont St. to N. Van BurenPark Drive NorthPark Drive SouthRestricted traffic on Market St (between Park Drive N. & Park Drive S.)
Downtown—Wilm Grand Prix Criterium Course (Saturday, May 16)Market Street (between 4th and 10th streets) will have no parking as of 10 pm on Friday, May 15 and then will be reduced to special-access only traffic beginning at 5 am on Saturday, May 16 from 5 am until 9 am. Please do not plan to drive on Market Street after 5 am on Saturday May 16 until 5 pm Saturday. Market Street returns to regular traffic patterns after 5 pm on Saturday.Market Street will be closed on Sat., May 16 until 5 pm (5th & 6th streets reopen at 4:30 pm) 5th, 6th 7th, 8th, 9th & 10th streets will be closed between Shipley & French streets beginning Saturday, May 16 at 5 am through Saturday, May 17 at 5 pm.
King Street will be closed between 4th & 10th streets on Saturday, May 16, 8 am through 5 pm.11th Street between Market & King St. will have no parking on Saturday, May 16 from 6 am- 5 pm.
