All Virginia Commonwealth University students, faculty and staff are encouraged to wear black and gold and line the bike race route along West Franklin Street on Wednesday to show the university's support for the UCI Road World Championships.

From 1:30 to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, members of the VCU community will line the route on West Franklin Street between Shafer and Laurel streets to cheer on the bike race competitors.

"We are encouraging all VCU students, faculty and staff on the Monroe Park campus to join a VCU Cheer Zone along West Franklin Street between Shafer Street and Monroe Park," said Catherine W. Howard, Ph.D., vice provost, Division of Community Engagement. "Wear black and gold VCU attire and bring noisemakers and pom-poms … Rodney the Ram will be in the crowd as well."

Racers are expected to appear at around 1:45 p.m. and are expected to continue in packs until 3 p.m.

"Since the race is coming through our campus, we want the racers to know that VCU is welcoming them and supporting them in this terrific event," Howard said. "We want to be sure that every racer knows of VCU and that we are part of this great city. This is also a wonderful opportunity for the VCU campus to come together as a community and have some fun!"