Organisers of the Maryland Cycling Classic have introduced this yr’s race, as a consequence of happen on September 1, can be postponed till 2025, saying the delivery catastrophe that triggered the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in March has closely impacted site visitors within the space, and holding the race may add to the difficulties for space residents.
The bridge, a bit of Interstate 695, fell after being struck by a cargo ship within the early hours of March 26, killing six development employees who had been doing upkeep on the bridge. The Baltimore Sun estimated 30,000 journeys per day now must take an extended route on I-95 through the Fort McHenry Tunnel or I-895 by means of the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel to cross the Patapsco River.
The Maryland Cycling Classic is the one remaining one-day UCI race within the United States and is a part of the UCI Pro Series.
After two years of postponement, after the COVID-19 pandemic struck throughout what ought to have been its inaugural version, the Maryland Cycling Classic launched in 2022, with Sep Vanmarcke profitable the inaugural version and Mattias Skjelmose claiming final yr’s version.
While the 196-kilometre race route, which begins in Sparks, Maryland and loops north towards the Pennsylvania border, went nowhere close to the Key Bridge, it makes use of virtually 50 kilometres of a serious north-south artery, Falls Road, to achieve Baltimore.
“The determination to pause the occasion moreover displays a conscientious effort to respect the capacities of each Baltimore City and Baltimore County, recognizing the pressure on current assets and personnel as a result of worldwide tragedy of the Key Bridge collapse, compounded by the Labor Day vacation weekend when the Cycling Classic usually takes place and in flip, the probably have to make adjustments to the race course in consequence,” the press launch acknowledged.
Other elements embody the 2024 calendar, revised to accommodate the Paris Olympics, which shifted the Grand Prix de Montréal and Québec UCI races every week later, placing two weeks between the WorldTour occasions and the Maryland Cycling Classic and affecting which groups may participate.
“This temporary pause in 2024 will enable the occasion to return in 2025 with much more vigour and momentum,” mentioned Terry Hasseltine, Executive Director of the Maryland Sports Commission and President of the Sport & Entertainment Corporation of Maryland. “The Maryland Cycling Classic is a premier biking occasion on a world stage. We have delivered a product that continues to develop and are excited concerning the path ahead.”
The race organisers consulted with stakeholders and native leaders, together with the UCI and USA Cycling and race sponsors, who understood the choice, in keeping with the press launch.
“As chairman of the Maryland Cycling Classic and an avid bicycle owner and fan, I’m unhappy concerning the 2024 postponement, however absolutely help the choice, particularly given the circumstances. Though we should pause this yr, our dedication to the Maryland Cycling Classic stays unwavering and we’ll work to broaden our attain and supply much more worldwide publicity for the Baltimore area and state of Maryland in 2025,” mentioned John Kelly, President of Kelly Benefits Strategies.
