COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – USA Cycling announced today the calendars for the 2020 Pro Cross-Country Tour (Pro XCT) and National Downhill Series (formerly called the Pro GRT). Downhill and cross-country mountain bikers will have the chance to compete in these internationally and domestically ranked races spanning coast-to-coast.
The Pro XCT and the National DH Series are comprised of the top mountain bike events in the U.S. and track the standings for elite riders in their respective fields. Most events will also carry amateur categories providing an environment for amateurs to watch their heroes race the same tracks and courses. Individual elite series champions are crowned at the conclusion of the calendar.
This year, the Pro Gravity Tour (GRT) has been renamed the National DH Series and is comprised of five competitions beginning March 6, 2020 with the Tennessee National in Oak Ridge, Tenn. and concluding in October with the FOX US Open of Mountain Biking in Big Bear Lake, Calif., "2020 marks the first year the Fox US Open will be included in the National Series and as the season finale. We are eager to add our brand of US racing heritage to the other great events on the calendar", says Clay Harper, US Open co-founder. Although the look of the series will be different, the races will continue to be high caliber events in which riders can expect great competition and exciting tracks.
Reigning Pro Men’s Downhill National Champion Neko Mullaly (Pisgah Forest, N.C.; Intense Factory Racing) is looking forward to this year’s racing, "I'm excited to see the US National Downhill Series include five big races for 2020. I think we have a diverse range of races spaced out nicely through the season. Things are going in the right direction."
The 2020 Pro XCT will kick off at Vail Lake on March 15, 2020 with the U.S. Cup and then will remain in California through April 19 for the second week of the U.S. Cup and the Sea Otter Classic. Racing will conclude with a Wild West bang in Missoula, Mont. The Pro XCT includes a new stop in Fall River, Wisc. at the Englewood Open for fast and bumpy elite and junior racing.
“We’re excited to implement the National DH Series this year, showcasing amateur racing as well as the Pro athletes. We are looking forward to continued excellent competition throughout all the Pro XCT and National DH races. We're seeing internationally renowned athletes such as Loic Bruni, Neko Mulally, Jill Kintner, Caroline Washam, Kate Courtney, Annika Langvad, Christopher Blevins, and more competing in these series. Many of these races will provide our athletes with the opportunity to prepare for the upcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympics and 2020 World Championships in Germany and Austria,” said Tara McCarthy, USA Cycling Director of National Events.
2020 Pro XCT Calendar:
Date | Event | Location | Classification |
March 15, 2020 | US Cup - Vail Lake National & Junior Series | Temecula, Calif. | XCO HC & XCO Jr HC |
March 21, 2020 | US Cup - Bonelli Park XCO & Junior Series | San Dimas, Calif. | XCO Elite HC & XCO Jr HC |
April 16, 2020 | Sea Otter Classic p/b Continental | Monterey, Calif. | XCO Elite HC |
April 18, 2020 | Sea Otter Classic p/b Continental - XCC | Monterey, Calif. | XCC Elite C3 |
April 19, 2020 | Sea Otter Classic p/b Continental - XCO | Monterey, Calif. | XCO Elite C3 |
May 2, 2020 | Englewood Open | Fall River, Wisc. | XCO C2 & XCO Jr |
June 6, 2020 | Missoula XCO & Junior Series | Missoula, Mont. | XCO C2 & XCO Jr |
2020 National DH Series Calendar:
Date | Event | Location | Classification |
March 6-8, 2020 | Tennessee National | Oak Ridge, Tenn. | DHI Elite 1 |
April 10-12, 2020 | NW Cup #1 Dry Hill National | Port Angeles, Wash. | DHI Elite 2 |
May 22-24, 2020 | Mountain Creek Spring National | Vernon, N.J. | DHI Elite 3 |
June 12-14, 2020 | NW Cup Tamarack National | Donnelly, Idaho | USAC |
October 1-4, 2020 | The Fox US Open of Mountain Biking | Big Bear Lake, Calif. | USAC |
The 2019 National DH Series champions were Neko Mulally for the Pro Men and Caroline Washam (Mooresville, N.C.) for the Pro Women. The 2019 Pro XCT individual champions were Keegan Swenson (Heber City, Utah) for the Elite Men, while Erin Huck (Boulder, Colo.) and Sofia Gome-Villafane (Heber City, Utah) tied for first in the Elite Women’s category.
USA Cycling works with race directors from across the country to create various calendars and series that feature bike racing across several disciplines and ability levels. These calendars often include event support, rankings tabulation and additional promotion. For a full schedule of events and updated standings throughout the season, click here.
