The American Criterium Cup (ACC), an eight-race professional criterium series elevating the stature of criterium racing in the United States, will kickoff the 2024 American Criterium Cup (ACC) at the Saint Francis Tulsa Tough, a unique, three-day cycling festival for racers, riders and spectators in Tulsa, Oklahoma’s culture-rich city center between Friday, June 7 – Sunday, June 9. Participant registration is now open, and individuals and teams may register online until Tuesday, June 4 at 5 p.m. CT.
“The Saint Francis Tulsa Tough team is honored to be the opening event of the 2024 American Criterium Cup,” said Malcolm McCollam, Executive Director of the Saint Francis Tulsa Tough. “ The ACC races will take place under Tulsa’s notorious Friday night lights with cyclists from around the globe navigating the legendary figure-eight course before 80,000 spectators.”
The event is free to attend for spectators, and the Saint Francis Tulsa Tough team encourages guests of all ages to relish the full weekend of races, entertainment and festivities. The full schedule is available online.
Race weekend begins on Friday, June 7 with the ACC race day at the McNellie’s Group Blue Dome Criterium (Third Street & Elgin Avenue) in Tulsa’s historic Blue Dome District. The Saint Francis Tulsa Tough will host the first 2024 ACC event of the series in its first year offering Men’s and Women’s Pro races. To celebrate, VIP spectators will enjoy course-side viewing for the ACC races and have opportunities to get up-close and personal moments with professional athletes. The Women’s Pro I/II race will begin at 7:05 p.m. CT and the Men’s Pro I race will start at 8:20 p.m. CT, with award ceremonies for both categories occurring directly following the conclusion of the men’s race.
Considered a block party on two wheels, the Saint Francis Tulsa Tough features the FC Tulsa Arts District Criterium (Reconciliation Way & Boston Avenue) in the Tulsa arts district on Saturday, June 8. Day two boasts a huge first for the ACC. Cyclists will race in the first official race of the new ACC Junior Criterium Cup presented by Renaissance Financial, a series designed for athletes between the ages of 15-18 to showcase their talent as the next generation of American cyclists. The Juniors race will begin at 1:30 p.m. CT. Additional Women’s Pro I/II and Men’s Pro I races will occur at 5:50 p.m. CT and 6:55 p.m. CT, respectively, with award ceremonies for both once again being held following the conclusion of the men’s race.
The McElroy River Parks Criterium (15th Street & Riverside Drive) closes out the electric weekend of racing on Sunday, June 9. The race day features what Criterium Nation calls one of the seven “Monuments of Criterium Cycling:” Cry Baby Hill, a grueling course that tests even the fittests of cyclists surrounded by an adults-only party where Mardi Gras meets Carnival meets the Tour de France. The Women’s Pro I/II race starts at 3:30 p.m. CT and the Men’s Pro I race begins at 4:35 p.m. CT. The final award ceremonies of the weekend will occur following the end of the final race.
The Saint Francis Tulsa Tough’s AAON Gran Fondos return on Saturday, June 8 from 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. CT and Sunday, June 9 from 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. CT with a new category centered around vintage and classic bikes, aptly named The Classico. AAON Gran Fondo registration is open online.
“The Saint Francis Tulsa Tough will be a spectacle to behold to start a summer series chock full of exciting races,” said Brad Spear, Production Manager, Saint Francis Tulsa Tough. “That’s exactly what the Saint Francis Tulsa Tough is all about: honoring what makes Tulsa and criterium cycling special. Tulsa is a city of neighbors and we’ve taken that seriously when cultivating our homegrown, close-knit and family-friendly event, as a nod to the very essence of the city.”
Following the Tulsa Tough in the 2024 ACC is the Kwik Trip Tour of America’s Dairyland. The second stop in the series will feature high-level, inclusive bike racing through vibrant Southeast Wisconsin communities over 11 days (June 13 – 23), including the 2024 ACC race on Saturday, June 22.
The Saint Francis Tulsa Tough is sponsored by Saint Francis Health System. USA Cycling is the Official Partner of the 2024 American Criterium Cup, and Renaissance Financial
is the Official Sponsor of the 2024 American Criterium Cup Junior Series. MUMU
is the Official Jersey Sponsor of the 2024 American Criterium Cup, and has designed new Leaders Jerseys for this year’s races.
For more information, to register, or to stream the Saint Francis Tulsa Tough, visit www.tulsatough.com. Follow Saint Francis Tulsa Tough on Instagram, X (@tulsa_tough) and Facebook (@TulsaTough).
ABOUT AMERICAN CRITERIUM CUP
The American Criterium Cup is a multiple race criterium series that elevates the stature of criterium racing in the United States. The series is led by a group of independent criterium race organizers collaborating with and supported by USA Cycling, with input from professional and domestic teams and athletes. Each event has pledged to execute each event with standards of excellence, high production quality, and safety. Organizers of the series have committed $100,000 for a series purse to be split equally among men and women. Learn more at americancritcup.com. Follow American Criterium Cup (@americancritcup) on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Mike Weiss - mike@bigshark.com
Clare Paniccia - clare@tulsatough.com
Allie Horner - allie@brandbloomllc.com
