Team BikeExchange, Trek-Segafredo and Rally Cycling Headline Initial Teams Slated for September’s Inaugural Maryland Cycling Classic
U.S. Continental Teams Aevelo and Wildlife Generation Will Join the Line-up at America’s Top One-Day Professional Cycling Race
BALTIMORE, Maryland – The Maryland Cycling Classic supported by UnitedHealthcare, America’s top one-day professional cycling race and the only UCI-sanctioned road race in the U.S., today announced the first five teams confirmed to compete at the inaugural event, scheduled for September 5, 2021.
WorldTour teams Trek-Segafredo and Australia’s Team BikeExchange will be joined by America’s top ProTeam Rally Cycling and U.S. pro Continental Teams Aevelo and Wildlife Generation Pro Cycling, when the event kicks off this fall.
“After the challenges of postponing last year’s first edition due to the pandemic, it’s exciting to look forward and start introducing some of the world’s top teams into the event,” said Maryland Cycling Classic Chairman John Kelly of KELLY Benefit Strategies. “Trek-Segafredo and Team BikeExchange are already off to great starts in some of the world’s best races this year. Rally Cycling will be bringing its top guns and the U.S. pro Continental Teams will be hungry to perform in what is now America’s top one-day pro cycling event.”
The Maryland Cycling Classic is part of the prestigious UCI Pro Tour and is already one of the top-ranked events in North and South America. Trek-Segafredo has already secured several big wins by 2019 World Champion Mads Pedersen and Bauke Mollema this year, and Team BikeExchange led the prestigious Paris-Nice race through the efforts of Michael Matthews earlier this week.
“GreenEDGE Cycling is excited to return to the United States of America for the Maryland Cycling Classic in September. We have achieved many notable victories at races in the U.S. and we will travel to Baltimore with big ambitions,” said Team BikeExchange Chairman, Darach McQuaid. “It’s an important race for our team and we are honored to be there and represent our team's colors in the best way possible. North America is an important market for our partners and also for the bicycle industry. We truly hope this event will keep growing and Team BikeExchange can contribute to its growth in the years to come.”
“We’re super excited to participate in the Maryland Cycling Classic. At the moment there aren’t a lot of races in the USA and as an American team it’s really important for us to be there on the start line,” said Steven de Jongh, Head Sports Director of Trek-Segafredo. “We’re looking forward to racing in Maryland and expect a great race!”
“I'm thrilled to take part in the first edition of what is sure to become a legendary event in the cycling world and I feel very lucky to be racing the Maryland Cycling Classic as a member of an American pro team,” said Ben King, two-time stage winner in the Tour of Spain who races professionally for Rally Cycling. “I love one-day races because they are all or nothing. Plus, the event is close to home for me so my friends and family will be able to attend. It's like we have a home-field advantage, and it will be an excellent opportunity to engage with our fans.”
“We’re coming to win the Maryland Cycling Classic,” said Danny Van Haute, team director of Wildlife Generation Pro Cycling. “It will be one of the biggest of the events of the year for us. We believe we have two or three riders that could win it.”
Long-time elite-level cycling event managers and promoters Medalist Sports and KOM Sports are behind the event along with the newly formed Sport and Entertainment Corp. of Maryland, led by Terry Hasseltine. The event will feature a weekend of activities, including a charity ride, exhibition and symposium, outdoor health and wellness festival and more. The full schedule of events will be announced with detail in the coming months.
About Maryland Cycling Classic supported by UnitedHealthcare
The inaugural Maryland Cycling Classic supported by UnitedHealthcare, America’s top one-day international pro cycling race sanctioned by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and USA Cycling, is taking place September 5, 2021 in Baltimore, Md. The race will feature the best cyclists worldwide including Tour de France participants, National Champions, World Champions and Olympians from over 20 countries. The Maryland Cycling Classic supported by UnitedHealthcare is part of a three-day weekend community celebration of health and wellness featuring participatory events, an interactive festival, local foods and drinks, along with other fun family-friendly activities. The race is endorsed by Maryland and Baltimore Civic Leaders, while owned and operated by Sport and Entertainment Corporation of Maryland. The event is managed and marketed by industry leaders Medalist Sports and KOM Sports Marketing.
Learn more about the Maryland Cycling Classic supported by UnitedHealthcare at www.marylandcyclingclassic.us
