Ruby Ryan races during the 2021 U.S. Pro Cup at Centennial Park in Fayetteville.
Photo: Todd Gill, Fayetteville Flyer
The U.S. Cup will return to Fayetteville for a second year of pro and amateur cross-country mountain bike racing at Centennial Park.
Organizers have partnered with Moosejaw and OZ Trails for the four-day event, which is set for April 20-24, 2022.
As part of the U.S. Cup Series, the races are the highest level of professional cross-country mountain bike competition in the country. Centennial Park first hosted the event in 2021, which included athletes from 40 states, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Ontario and Quebec.
U.S. Cup event director Ty Kady said he’s excited to be back for another year.
“After last year’s event, we worked with the OZ Trails crew to make some course modifications that I think will open the course a bit and bring some of the more traditional, raw mountain bike sections we were missing,” Kady said. “This year’s course will be a true hybrid that will reward the racers with a complete skill set.”
Racing begins on Wednesday with UCI C1-level categories for elites and juniors. Thursday’s schedule includes a team and vendor expo. Friday will see short track racing for elites and juniors, as well as an all-new CAT 1 men and women open category on Friday evening.
Saturday will include the first of two amateur cross-country races in the morning, followed by a UCI junior XCO series event where junior riders can compete for some of the most UCI points available in North America.
Amateur racers will return Sunday morning for a second race, and then in the afternoon, the UCI elite women and men will compete.
“We are excited to once again host this great event in our city,” said Molly Rawn, CEO of Experience Fayetteville. “Coming off the heels of the 2022 Walmart UCI Cyclo-Cross World Championships in January, Centennial Park in Fayetteville is quickly becoming known as a world-class off-road racing venue.”
For more information, including a schedule of events, visit uscupmtb.com.
