Colorado Springs, Colo. (Jan. 5, 2010)—USA
Cycling announced today the addition of a pair of races to the USA
Cycling Pro Mountain Bike Cross Country Tour. With the inclusion of the
Sea Otter Classic and the Mellow Johnny’s Classic, the Pro XCT calendar
will consist of six UCI-sanctioned events throughout the United States,
providing world-class athletes with a national stage on which to
accumulate UCI ranking points and top prize purses.
“The
2010 Pro XCT will provide one of the best calendars of quality UCI
mountain bike races we’ve had in many years,” stated USA Cycling CEO
Steve Johnson. “We are committed to our long-stated goals of providing
athletes with consistent top-level competition opportunities,
increasing exposure for mountain biking domestically and maximizing
U.S. start spots at the sport’s highest stages; and the Pro XCT
national calendar provides a sustainable platform to help accomplish
these goals.”
Following
the series kick-off at Fontana, the renowned Sea Otter Classic will
serve as the second stop on the USA Cycling Pro Mountain Bike Cross
Country Tour. Sea Otter’s elite/pro men’s and women’s mountain bike
races on April 18 will operate at the UCI C1 level, offering maximum
ranking points to top riders. The Pro XCT will then move south to Lance
Armstrong’s renowned ranch in Dripping Springs, Texas as the Mellow
Johnny’s Classic plays host to the third series’ stop. The Mellow
Johnny’s Classic is set to take place on May 29. The nation’s
professional cross country mountain bike series will then continue as
planned with the Bump ‘N Grind in Birmingham, Ala. on June 5, the
Subaru Cup in Mt. Morris, Wis. on June 26 and the series finale in
Colorado Springs, Colo. on July 10.
The
UCI points up for grabs at each Pro XCT event are crucial in helping
the United States qualify mountain biking start spots for the 2012
Olympic Games in London, as well as determining the start order at the
UCI Mountain Bike World Championships. The men’s and women’s overall
Pro XCT champions will also automatically qualify a spot on the U.S.
squad for the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships.
In
addition to providing a sequence of international-caliber events where
elite cross country racers can earn UCI points, the USA Cycling Pro XCT
will spotlight top American races 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.
2010 USA Cycling Pro Cross Country Mountain Bike Tour:
