USA Cycling today announced the Mountain Bike National Championship, and the accompanying High School Cycling Festival will move from July 9-18 to July 5-14. The High School portion of the event will occur July 12-14.
With the constant fluctuation of the pandemic, this date change will allow both USA Cycling's Mountain Bike National Championship and the annual Winter Park Jazz Festival to run on different weekends, giving both groups the maximum amount of lodging in the area should the Jazz Festival happen this year.
This date change will also give high school athletes the ability to race multiple age group National Championship races and the High School Nationals in a shorter period for family and team travel.
"We understand this change will be disruptive to families and teams that have already planned travel. We also recognize that many communities have had a significant interruption to normal tourism over the last 12 months and are making this change given the pandemic's improved conditions to ensure the community of Winter Park can host two great events. We also believe this change should be better for our junior athletes with the soon-to-be-announced competition schedule," stated Tara McCarthy, Director of National Events.
The event will take place July 12 – 14, 2021, in Winter Park, Colorado. Special ride events for high school-aged riders and their families will occur throughout the three days alongside the High School Mountain Bike National Championship, where riders will contend for individual and team titles. The event will include a collegiate fair with nationwide participation from colleges, universities, and collegiate conferences, giving families the chance to learn about collegiate cycling programs and opportunities. Families and riders of all disciplines, levels, and abilities are invited to attend and participate.
