Asheville to host USA Cycling Collegiate Road national championships in 2015-16

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Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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40335-ScenicIII-COLRoadNats-CathyKim-medBig bicycling news! Press release here:

Colorado Springs, Colo. (June 26, 2013) — USA Cycling on Wednesday announced that the USA Cycling Masters Road National Championships will be in Ogden, Utah, in 2014 and 2015, while Asheville, N.C., will play host to the USA Cycling Collegiate Road National Championships in 2015 and 2016.

The exact dates of the events have not been determined, but both events will be held around the same time as in previous years. The collegiate event will be in early May and the masters event will be in early September.

“Ogden very successfully hosted the 2012 and 2013 USA Cycling Collegiate Road National Championships,” USA Cycling National Events Director Tony Leko said. “We’re looking forward to seeing our masters road nationals in such a scenic environment with such competitive courses. The Asheville area has such rich history in collegiate cycling with successful cycling programs surrounding it. Collegiate cycling powers like Mars Hill College, Lees­McRae College and Brevard College are each very close to Asheville and should create an extremely festive atmosphere.”

“As a masters cyclist myself, I couldn’t be more excited about having the USA Cycling Masters Road National Championships in our community,” Ogden Mayor Mike Caldwell said. “We look forward to showcasing some of the amazing riding we have in and around Ogden. I personally look forward to riding with everyone.”

The city of Ogden was recently recognized as one of the safest bicycle cities in the state by the Utah Department of Transportation during The Road Respect Rally and Community Celebration held on June 15.

“We are honored to host the Masters Road National Championships in Ogden!” Sara Tolliver, the President and CEO of

Ogden/Weber Convention and Visitors Bureau, said. “We welcome the athletes, and their friends and families to our community. We hope they will enjoy our beautiful courses — which span state parks, rural and urban areas — the independent town and all our destination has to offer.”

The Mars Hill College Cycling team, a consistent cycling powerhouse which was the top­ranked Division II team in 2011­12, will be the host college in Asheville.

“Asheville is pleased to partner with Mars Hill College’s Cycling team to host the Collegiate Road National Championships,” Executive Director of the Asheville­Buncombe Regional Sports Commission Ben VanCamp said. “Asheville has long been known as a great road cycling destination and we are anxious to showcase that during this event.”

The 2013 USA Cycling Masters Road National Championships will be held in Bend, Ore., from Sept. 4­8. The USA Cycling Collegiate Road National Championships were held in Ogden, Utah, in 2012 and 2013 and will be held in Richmond, Va., in 2014 as a test event for the 2015 UCI Road World Championships.

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Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

  • 1

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