Schedule Set for 2012 USA Cycling Masters Road National Championship in Bend
In partnership with USA Cycling, Visit Bend announced the official courses and schedule for the 2012 USA Cycling Masters Road National Championships in Bend, Oregon.
The five-day event will kick off on Wednesday, September 5 with a new time-trial course that starts at Crooked River Park in Prineville, approximately 40 minutes northeast of Bend. It’s an out-and-back course that parallels the scenic Crooked River, and represents the first time a national championship bike race will be hosted in the city of Prineville.
On Thursday and Friday, September 6-7, the competition will shift to the road racing national championships, where another new national championship course will be showcased. The new road racing course will begin at picturesque Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort, loop clockwise south past Edison Sno-Park, and continue north up the legendary Sparks Lake Grade on Century Drive. The course, made famous through the Cascade Cycling Classic Stage Race, will end at the West Village parking lot of Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort.
Saturday’s criterium races will once again be hosted in beautiful downtown Bend, while Sunday’s criteriums will take place in the hip bungalow neighborhood of Northwest Crossing on the west side of Bend.
“We’re excited to introduce new race courses and share a broader cross-section of our community with USA Cycling and cyclists from around the country,” said Doug La Placa, CEO of Visit Bend, “We worked with key stakeholders from each of the communities and permitting agencies to make sure the courses are safe, challenging, and worthy of hosting national championship racing.”
The 2012 USA Masters Road Cycling National Championships are expected to draw more than 3,500 competitors, support staff, and fans to Bend in September. Over the past three years, Bend has played host to an unprecedented six USA Cycling National Championships, and is contracted to host three more over the next two years.
“Bend has secured its place as one of the undisputed capitals of bike racing in the United States,” noted Micah Rice, Managing Director of National Events at USA Cycling. “We’re excited to be able to announce these courses to the public, and we look forward to another successful national cycling championship in Bend.”
About Visit Bend:
Visit Bend is a non-membership, non-profit economic development organization dedicated to promoting tourism on behalf of the City of Bend. We’re a leading provider of information on Bend, Oregon hotels, restaurants, activities, and Oregon vacation planning. To learn more or to order a complimentary Official Visitor Guide to Bend, contact Visit Bend at 1-800-949-6086 or visit www.visitbend.com.
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 66,500+ licensees; 2,200 clubs and teams; and 34 local associations. The national governing body sanctions 2,650 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 www.usacycling.org.
