USA Cycling announced on Thursday that starting in 2026, it will add men’s and women’s high school racing categories to three Collegiate National Championship events: Track, Mountain Bike, and Cyclocross. This move creates a clearer and more welcoming pathway for young athletes moving from high school races into collegiate cycling.
By inviting high school athletes to compete alongside collegiate clubs and varsity programs at select championship venues, USA Cycling aims to boost exposure, expand opportunity, and strengthen the development pipeline that carries riders from youth racing into higher education and beyond.
“Providing high school riders a meaningful introduction to collegiate cycling has been a priority for us,” said Eric Bennett, USA Cycling’s Director of Membership. “By integrating high school categories into our Collegiate National Championships, we’re creating an environment where young athletes can see what’s possible, meet collegiate riders and coaches, and take their first real step toward racing in college. It’s a huge opportunity for exposure, for the students and for the programs, and it strengthens the long-term pathway for the entire sport.”
To support families and students, each collegiate championship weekend will also include a Collegiate Cycling Fair, designed to connect high school athletes with collegiate programs.
At these fairs, parents and students will be able to:
- Meet directly with club and varsity cycling programs
- Explore scholarship offerings and academic partnerships
- Understand the differences between club and varsity structures
- Ask coaches about recruitment, training expectations, and team culture
This engagement layer goes beyond racing, giving families a comprehensive view of collegiate cycling at the national level.
“Our collegiate programs have been asking for more ways to connect with young riders, and this initiative delivers exactly that,” said Vanessa Drummond, USA Cycling’s Manager of Collegiate Programs. “Hosting high school racing at Collegiate Nationals brings coaches, teams, and future student-athletes together in one environment. It’s a win for riders, a win for colleges, and a win for the long-term growth of the sport.”
High school categories will be featured at the following Collegiate National Championship events:
- Collegiate Track Nationals - Indianapolis, Ind. (September 10-13)
- High school racing tentatively scheduled for September 12-13
- Collegiate Mountain Bike Nationals - Grand Junction, Colorado. (October 6-11)
- High school racing tentatively scheduled for October 10-11
- Collegiate Cyclocross Nationals - Fayetteville, Ark. (December 9-13)
- High school racing tentatively scheduled for December 11-12
More details will be shared soon, and exact race dates and times will be posted on each national championship schedule.
