The Mutual of Enumclaw Stage Race bring two things to downtown Enumclaw: some exciting, two-wheeled racing action and detours around some busy streets.

This year’s event will take place Saturday and Sunday, May 18-19, and will deliver the same level of quality racing that cycling fans have come to expect.

The Enumclaw event – the longest-running stage race in the Pacific Northwest and operating under the auspices of USA Cycling – offers cash prizes that top out at $2,000 for pro riders.

As always, races will cover roadways throughout the Enumclaw area. An early stage, for example, begins at 7 a.m. Saturday at the Enumclaw Expo Center and features a flat, 6.5-mile course that circles Mount Peak.

The more-visible criterium gets rolling at 1 p.m. Saturday and dominates downtown.

The criterium start/finish line is on Railroad Street and Myrtle Avenue. Riders cover a figure-eight course of nearly a mile, using Railroad Street, Griffin Avenue, Kasey Kahne Drive, Washington Avenue, Cole Street and Battersby Avenue, before finishing with a return sprint on Railroad.

Motorists should be aware that portions of all those streets will be closed for a large portion of Saturday.

Sunday’s road race will again have competitors starting, and finishing, in downtown Enumclaw. The course uses both rural roads and state Route 410 and – unlike the criterium – the roads remain open to vehicular traffic.