COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO – U.S. Paralympics Cycling today announced that the 2022 USA Cycling Para-cycling Road National Championships and USA Cycling Para-cycling Track National Championships will be held in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Carson, California, respectively. Road national championships will take place July 9-10, while the track competition is set for September 9-10.
Both National Championships will serve as selection events for the U.S. teams that will compete at the 2022 UCI Para-cycling World Championships. Road world championships are scheduled for August in Quebec, Canada, while track will take place in Montigny-Le-Bretonneux, France, in October.
“We’re excited for this year’s national championships after a Paralympic year, competition should be very high for the stars and stripes jersey. We’re excited to partner with U.S. Paralympics Cycling for another year of competition and look forward to expanding Para-cycling competition at the national level,” Tara McCarthy, Director of National Events of USA Cycling, said.
U.S. Paralympics Cycling is partnering with Chattanooga Sports to host road national championships, which will feature the top American athletes in each classification.
“The added bonus of worlds team selection at this year’s nationals will make for an even more exciting event,” Ian Lawless, director of U.S. Paralympics Cycling, said. “Our team exceeded expectations at the recent road world cup competitions in Europe, and we are looking forward to seeing what they bring to Chattanooga. We are incredibly grateful to have a partner in Chattanooga Sports to help bring this event to life.”
Road national championships will feature two full days of racing and will include time trial, handcycle relay, and road racing competition.
"It is an honor to host the USA Cycling Para-cycling Road National Championships and welcome athletes from across the nation to Chattanooga,” Barry White, CEO and President of Chattanooga Tourism Co., said. “The talent and determination of these athletes is unmatched, and we look forward to hosting this prestigious event in our city and serving as the venue where new national champions will be determined."
VELO Sports Center, which has played host to many track competitions and camps for U.S. Paralympics Cycling, is set to hold track national championships. Aside from training camps, the U.S. Paralympics Cycling track national team has not competed since the Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020, and will return to racing seeking qualification for world championships.
“VELO Sports Center is like a second home to our team, and we are excited to see what our athletes bring to the table this fall,” Lawless said. “The team has been working hard with the ultimate goal of success at world championships, and nationals will be an important step in achieving that goal.”
“We are excited to welcome back some of the United States' top athletes onto our boards,” Travis Smith, VELO Sports Center’s manager, said. “Historically these selection competitions are some of our favorite events for staff and members. We are excited to watch the high-action races in September. With the difficulty over the past couple of years and the racing hiatus here at the VELO Sports Center, this will be a great event.”
Athletes named to world championship teams will be announced shortly after the conclusion of each competition. Details for both events can be found here. Follow U.S. Paralympics Cycling on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates and coverage of national championships.
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