The
UCI points up for grabs at each Pro XCT event are crucial in helping
the United States qualify the maximum number of mountain biking start
spots for the 2012 Olympic Games in London, as well as start order at
the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships.
“The
Pro XCT not only creates opportunity and increases exposure for our
athletes here at home but it also helps ensure U.S. athletes the
maximum opportunity for success on the sport’s highest stage,”
explained USA Cycling National Mountain Bike and Cyclo-cross
Development Director Marc Gullickson. “The UCI points these events
offer directly dictate the number of start spots the U.S. will receive
in mountain biking events at the 2012 Olympic Games in London as well
as improve start order at the Mountain Bike World Championships
annually.”
In
addition to providing a sequence of international-caliber events where
elite cross country racers can earn UCI points, the USA Cycling Pro XCT
seeks to spotlight top American races, raise the level of competitive
racing in the U.S., and recognize the best cross country teams and
athletes competing on U.S. soil. In order for individual riders or
teams to earn points toward the overall Pro XCT titles, they must be
registered as a UCI Trade Team or as a USA Cycling Mountain Bike
Domestic Pro Team. The Pro XCT will provide leaders’ jerseys to the top
male and female rider in the overall standings, leaders’ number plates
and a guaranteed cash purse for each race.
Visiting four states in 2010, the Pro XCT will open with the US Cup Bonelli Park
in San Dimas, California on March 13, a UCI category-two event that
will serve as the unofficial kick-off to the 2010 mountain biking
season. Next, the USA Cycling Pro XCT will move west on I-10 to
Fontana, Calif. for the US Cup Fontana, the series’ first category-one event, on March 27. After a five-week break, the third stop will be the US Cup Big Bear
set for May 16 in Big Bear, Calif. The series will then head to the
deep south for the second of three category-one contests, the Bump ‘N Grind in Birmingham, Ala. on June 5. The Subaru Cup,
slated for June 26 in Wautoma, Wis., will be the series’ fifth stop,
and the number one pro rider on U.S. soil will be determined following
the Pro XCT finale, the Carmichael Training Systems International Classic, in Colorado Springs, Colo. on July 10.
“Due
to the ever-improving quality of events and focused management, the USA
Cycling Pro XCT looks to be even stronger in its second season,” stated
USA Cycling’s Mountain Bike and Cyclo-cross Events Director Kelli Lusk.
“Many of the events have stepped up in category level offering an even
more superior experience for riders and spectators alike. The strength
of the selected events partnered with US Cup as the series’ management
company should continue to help raise the quality of the sport’s
premier domestic series.”
USA
Cycling will partner with the US Cup Management Company who will be
responsible for the implementation of the Pro XCT. US Cup will work to
foster additional sponsorship and media partners to build the Pro XCT
prize purses and help create the top-tier of mountain bike events in
the country. US Cup will also act as the current presenting sponsor of
the USA Cycling Pro XCT presented by US Cup.
A
professional gravity-based tour, the USA Cycling Pro Mountain Bike
Gravity Tour (Pro GRT), is also gearing up for its second season. The
Pro GRT schedule is expected to be announced in coming weeks.
2010 USA Cycling Pro Cross Country Mountain Bike Tour:
March 13: US Cup Bonelli Park - San Dimas, Calif.
March 27: US Cup Fontana – Fontana, Calif.
May 16: US Cup Big Bear – Big Bear, Calif.
June 5: Bump ‘N Grind – Birmingham, Ala.
June 26: Subaru Cup – Mt. Morris, Wis.
July 10: Carmichael Training Systems International Classic – Colorado Springs, Colo.
Photo caption: Max Plaxton is one of several of the world's top
riders who is expceted to contest for the Pro XCT title in 2010.
