USA Cycling has announced that the 2015 Pro Mountain Bike Gravity Tour (Pro GRT) has gained UCI status for all five races of the calendar, making the U.S. an international mountain bike point-chasing destination in the coming year. Additionally, USA Cycling has partnered with Mountain Bike Mania to film the events to be aired in July and August on local ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC affiliates nationwide.
The five-event 2015 Pro GRT calendar, which all hold C2 UCI status, includes the April 24-26 NW Cup in Port Angeles, Wash., the May 17 Mountain Creek Spring Classic in Vernon, N.J., the June 19-21 Chile Challenge in Angel Fire, N.M., the June 26 Snowshoe Wild Hare in Snowshoe, W. Va., and the Sept. 26 Kamikaze Bike Games in Mammoth Lakes, Calif.
“This raises the bar of international competition here at home and provides an arena for U.S. riders to gain UCI points toward valuable World Cup and World Championship starts,” said Micah Rice, USA Cycling Vice President of National Events. “It means less travel for our riders, which provides more opportunity for American international success.”
In addition to offering UCI points opportunities to elite downhillers, the new 2015 Pro GRT format also provides points classifications for select amateur and juniors categories as well.
“I really think that 2015 will be the catalyst to give America a competitive edge and develop riders into world-class competitors,” said Olympic bronze medalist and three-time World Champion Jill Kintner (Seattle, Wash./ Team Norco International). “Building from the ground up, the changes to the series have occurred because of everyone striving to make the series better. Taking in lots of rider feedback, selecting good venues who want to work together and USA Cycling stepping up to get UCI points across the whole Pro GRT series will be amazing! I will be there, and it's up to everyone to attend and show support so American racing becomes what we all know it can be.”
USA Cycling recently partnered with Mountain Bike Mania to film the Pro GRT. The television coverage will air July and August on local affiliates of ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC in select areas.
“With Samantha and Ross McDonald at Mountain Bike Mania, we now have an incredible opportunity to highlight the excitement of the Pro GRT, the athletes and five great race venues to a broad television audience,” said Rice.
A complete listing of cities, channels and times will be available in June at www.mountainbikemania.net.
Pro GRT information and race schedule may be found on the USA Cycling website.
About USA Cycling: Recognized by the United States Olympic Committee and the Union Cycliste Internationale, USA Cycling is the official governing body for all disciplines of competitive cycling in the United States, including road, track, mountain bike, BMX and cyclo-cross. As a membership-based organization, USA Cycling comprises 64,000 members; 2,700+ clubs and teams; and 34 local associations. The national governing body sanctions over 3,100 competitive and non-competitive events throughout the U.S. each year and is responsible for the identification, development, and support of American cyclists. To learn more about USA Cycling, visit usacycling.org.
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