U.S.A. Cycling Releases 2017 Pro GRT Calendar
Jill Kintner racing the Port Angeles Pro GRT in 2016.
USA Cycling's 2017 Pro Gravity Tour will consist of 7 rounds, with UCI points offered at each stop. The series runs March through September, and will feature two new venues in 2017.
The season kicks off with the inaugural Windrock Pro GRT March 10-12 at the newly opened Windrock Bike Park in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Windrock is the first mountain bike race in North America to offer UCI points for 2017, giving riders a chance to push their limits early in the season. From there the series returns to Port Angeles, Washington for the NW Cup May 12-14. Port Angeles is a favorite venue among riders, and has been the largest attended race on the calendar in recent years. Beech Mountain returns to the schedule to host the 3rd round of the series June 17-19. Beech Mountain hosted the 2011 and 2012 U.S. National Championships and a Pro GRT in 2014, and is proud to bring racing back to North Carolina in 2017. Angel Fire, New Mexico will play host to the 4th round of the series June 23-25, a UCI C1 event. Angle Fire Bike Park is one of the United States premier bike parks and has become a global destination for mountain biking. Following the U.S. National Championships at Snowshoe Mountain in West Virginia, and preceding the World Cup in Mont Sainte Anne, Canada, the series will head to Killington, Vermont for the Beast of the East Pro GRT July 27-30. Windham, New York, formerly a World Cup venue, will host round 6 of the series August 11-13, as a UCI HC race offering the maximum UCI points for a non-championship event, and allowing riders to tackle a modern World Cup track. The 2017 Pro GRT series will conclude at Mammoth Mountain, California for the annual Kamikaze Bike Games September 15-16.
Shane Leslie standing atop the 2016 Pro GRT Series podium, with Logan Binggeli and Max Morgan taking 2nd and 3rd respectively.
2017 Pro GRT Dates:
03/11-03/12 - Windrock Pro GRT, Oak Ridge, TN
05/13-05/14 - N.W. Cup, Port Angeles, WA
06/15-06/19 - Beech Mountain Resort Pro GRT, Beech Mountain, NC
06/23-06/25 - The Chile Challenge, Angel Fire, NM
07/27-07/30 - Beast of the East Pro GRT, Killington, VT
08/12-08/13 - Windham Pro GRT, Windham, NY
09/15-09/16 - Kamikaze Bike Games, Mammoth Lakes, CA
 | The GRT series has grown a lot since I first started racing in 2013. Now that there are UCI points up for grabs at each round, the level of competition is at an all time high. Along with that, the level of tracks has risen and more pro riders are showing up to each race. Overall, I think the series allows US riders to prove themselves before breaking the bank and heading over to Europe. - Tanner Stephens, Winner of Round 1 in 2016 |
Neko Mulally at Windrock. Photo: Jay Schultz
| Having the chance to promote a national level race on some of my favorite trails is something that I'm really excited about. As a rider, I hope to deliver everything that I would want from a race in the opening round of the Pro GRT at Windrock Bike Park. - Neko Mulally, World Cup Rider |
U.S.A. Cycling
Windrock Bike Park
Northwest Cup
Beech Mountain Resort
Angel Fire Bike Park
Killington Bike Park
Windham Mountain Resort
Mammoth Mountain Resort
Registration for the opening round at Windrock can be found here.
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But seriously, the date is due to Neko's day job, it requires him to leave and race the WC. He had to make it fit in before his WC season hits. A bunch of WC dudes are staying in the SE this March to use his training series to tune up. The Pro spectacle will be strong...Mik Hannah, Isaak Levitson, Shaw bros, Dakotah ...etc plus Max Morgan and all the Southern pros, Kyle Grau, etc...
Finally, everyone will be rusty, with the exception of the few GA and CA riders, winter is crap riding for us in VA in Feb and March too. as always...once racing begins, its a level playing field. Battle !