The world championships course for elite men and women is 10.3 miles. Cyclists will make several laps on the course. The course for the junior men’s and junior women’s races follows nearly the same path with a slight change that cuts it to 9.7 miles.

The individual time trial course for elite women and juniors is a 9.6-mile lap that includes crossing the Lee Bridge.

The individual time trial course for men is the longest at 33 miles. That course starts at Kings Dominion, goes east along state Route 30 past The Meadow Event Park in Caroline where the State Fair of Virginia is held, then south on U.S. 301, with a few diversions, to the city.

The team time trial course runs through the city to eastern Henrico and back. The men’s course is 21.9 miles. The women’s course follows the same general path, but a shortcut trims it to 14.9 miles.

At Tuesday’s announcement at the convention center, the audience of about 120 reacted with gasps and laughter when it was explained that the course for elite men and women includes a steep climb up Libby Hill in the city’s East End on a partly cobblestoned path rarely used by vehicles.

Just before the finish of all the courses, the cyclists will have a tough uphill stretch on Governor Street behind the Executive Mansion.