Mountain bike racing starts this weekend in Fayetteville
Cross country mountain bikers will come to Fayetteville this spring as part of a two-weekend series of events that will include amateur and professional athletes, some who are Olympic hopefuls vying for a spot on Team USA for the Tokyo games.
The OZ Trails US Pro Cup is set for April 9-11 and April 16-18, at Centennial Park at Millsap Mountain.
Entrance for spectators is free, and will include access to food trucks, local and national vendors, and music.
Both professional and amateur riders will race on a purpose-built, spectator-friendly mountain bike course that was recently constructed at the southwest Fayetteville park.
It’s the same park where a world-class cyclocross course is being built in preparation of the city’s plans to host the 2022 Cyclocross World Championships.
The mountain has gone through extensive remodeling in recent months, including a newly constructed parking lot that can be accessed on Centennial Park Lane off of Old Farmington Road — just west of Interstate 49 and north of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
Complete details, including schedule, registration and lodging information, are available at uscupmtb.com.
The events are organized in partnership with Experience Fayetteville, the city’s convention and visitors bureau.
“This the first of several world-class cycling events that will be held at Centennial Park over the next year,” said Molly Rawn, CEO of Experience Fayetteville. “We look forward to hosting these elite athletes, and putting on both an exciting and family friendly environment for everyone to enjoy.”
Other major cycling events planned this year in Fayetteville include the Joe Martin Stage Race (Aug. 26-29), the Arkansaw High Country Race (Oct. 9), and the UCI Cyclocross World Cup (Oct. 13).
Race Schedule – Weekend 1
Friday, April 9
11:15 a.m. – Junior girls Short Track race
12 p.m. – Junior boys Short Track race
12:45 p.m. – Elite women’s Short Track race
1:30 p.m. – Elite men’s Short Track race
Saturday, April 10
8:30 a.m. – Amateur Catetory 2/3 Cross Country race
10:45 a.m. – Non-UCI Pro and Category 1 Cross Country race
Sunday, April 11
8:30 a.m. – UCI Junior girls Cross Country Olympic race
10:15 a.m. – UCI Junior boys Cross Country Olympic race
12 p.m. – UCI Elite women’s Cross Country Olympic race
2 p.m. – UCI Elite men’s Cross Country Olympic race
» Download full Weekend 1 schedule
Race Schedule – Weekend 2
Friday, April 16
11:15 a.m. – Junior girls Short Track race
12 p.m. – Junior boys Short Track race
12:45 p.m. – Elite women’s Short Track race
1:30 p.m. – Elite men’s Short Track race
Saturday, April 17
8:30 a.m. – Amateur Catetory 2/3 Cross Country race
10:45 a.m. – Non-UCI Pro and Category 1 Cross Country race
Sunday, April 18
8:30 a.m. – UCI Junior girls Cross Country Olympic race
10:15 a.m. – UCI Junior boys Cross Country Olympic race
12 p.m. – UCI Elite women’s Cross Country Olympic race
2 p.m. – UCI Elite men’s Cross Country Olympic race
» Download full Weekend 2 schedule
