Mt. Hood Cycling Classic reinstates 2010 women’s race

Feb 16, 2010 by editor

HOOD RIVER — The Mt. Hood Cycling Classic pro women’s race is back on for 2010. Race Director Chad Sperry announced today that the June stage race will reinstate the event after previously deciding not to run an elite women’s race this year.

“After our initial press release was sent out regarding the postponement of the 2010 Women’s race, we were hit with an outpouring of support, enthusiasm, and commitment,” Sperry wrote via e-mail.

Sperry said many elite women racers have have committed to attending and supporting the event despite conflicts with National Race Calendar events. A scheduling conflict with the Liberty Classic in Philadelphia, one of only two women’s UCI races remaining in North America, reduced Hood’s women’s elite field to just 25 riders last year.

The USAC Pro/Cat 1 men and Cat 2 men will begin racing Tuesday with two stages in Portland. The Pro/1/2/3 women will begin racing — along with the rest of the OBRA categories — Thursday with a stage that begins in Washington under the Shadow of Mt. Adams. Cat 3 women will race with the Pro/1/2 riders but will be scored separately.

“There will be no Cat 4 race this year, as the difficult nature of the courses and challenging venues is better suited to the elite women,” Sperry said. “In addition, the Cherry Blossom Cycling Classic is focusing on providing Cat 3 and 4 women with a tremendous spring stage race in which to compete.”

Sperry also announced that Omer Kem has taken on the role as event “liaison” for the women’s race.