Tulsa Tough Takes Over Downtown

Elite cyclists took to the streets of downtown Tulsa on Friday. The News On 6's Chris Wright reports $150,000 in prize money is at stake over the three days of racing.

There are four races on Friday evening. The amateur men get underway at 6:45, followed by the professional women. The night will end with the professional men. Competing in that race is a local cyclist hoping to make a big splash in hometown.

"Probably just seeing how far you can push yourself to a whole other level.  There's always someone out there who's faster and probably working a little harder than you," said Chad Cagle.

Bixby native Chad Cagle has been racing on the professional circuit for the past eight years. He picked up cycling after his college football career ended and says this sport is just as competitive.

"Once that was gone, I kind of had a void in my life; I was like what am I going to take on now.  So I got a bike, and it just kind of took off from there," said Cagle.

He has since developed into one of the top amateurs in the country and a hometown favorite.

"Chad's kind of one of our local heroes, we're really hoping for bigger and better things for Chad, that he can use Tulsa Tough as a launching pad," said Event Director Malcolm McCollam.

Cagle works full time in Tulsa, then spends his weekends traveling across the country to compete against the best of the best.

While Green Country may not be a cycling hotbed, he believes there is potential for the sport in Oklahoma.

Cagle says events like Tulsa Tough will give cyclists some much-needed exposure.

"It's fun to have this in our backyard, and really showcase cycling to all my friends and family," said Cagle.

Cagle says he would be thrilled with a top five finish at Tulsa Tough. He and the rest of the field will be dealing with some serious heat over the next few days.