USA Cycling has announced the creation of a new professional cross country mountain bike series—the USA Cycling Pro Mountain Bike Cross Country Tour (ProXCT) presented by Sho-Air. The ProXCT will be comprised of seven UCI-sanctioned events throughout the United States, with each event offering ranking points to top finishers, and the series offering overall individual and team titles for men and women. UCI sanctioning means that the competitors will have the opportunity to accumulate international ranking points as well.

President and CEO Scott Tedro sees his investment in the ProXCT as an effective marketing venture for not only Sho-Air, but for other non-endemic companies as well. “I’m lucky and excited to have been chosen to champion the ProXCT and honored to work with USA Cycling as a supporter of mountain bike racing in America,” commented Tedro. “The leadership that USA Cycling has demonstrated throughout the process in order to fuel excitement about pro cross country racing has been integral in developing a model which I believe represents an intelligent business decision. I’m hoping that the momentum we’re creating encourages additional non-industry dollars to follow. USA Cycling has been a great partner in this endeavor and I’m looking forward to making the pro tour something to be proud of.”

“The new ProXCT represents a tremendous step forward for professional mountain bike racing in the U.S.,” said Steve Johnson, CEO of USA Cycling. “I am very excited by the strong support of our presenting sponsor, Sho-Air, and the fact that we have seven great venues in the inaugural year of the tour.”

“Now that a nation’s qualification for the Olympic Games is based on a four-year cycle, it’s even more important we have UCI races in the U.S. this far in advance of London,” commented USA Cycling’s National Mountain Bike Development Director Marc Gullickson. “The ProXCT not only creates opportunity for our athletes here at home, but the consistent exposure to a highly competitive environment will raise the level of everyone’s game.”

The USA Cycling ProXCT will involve only cross country racing; however, USA Cycling plans to roll out a gravity-based pro tour in the near future.

2009 USA Cycling ProXCT presented by Sho-Air International:

• Mar. 29th: U.S. Cup – Fontana, CA
• Apr. 19th: Sea Otter Classic – Monterey, CA
• May 31st: Bump N’ Grind – Birmingham, AL
• Jun. 13th: Carmichael Training Systems Sand Creek International Classic – Colorado Springs, CO
• Aug. 8th: U.S. Cup – Mount Snow, West Dover, VT
• Aug. 15th: Yankee Clipper at Windham Mountain – Windham, NY
• Sep. 26th: USA Cycling Pro Cross Country Mountain Bike Tour Finals – Las Vegas, NV

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