Another rationale involved the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montreal, an international cycling event in Canada, occurring two weeks after what would have been the Maryland Cycling Classic instead of the usual one-week gap.“To send a staff from Europe and have to be around for additional time like that, that’s hotel, that’s travel, that’s food,” said Auer, who had served as a mechanic for European-based Israel-Premier Tech for the first two Maryland Cycling Classic races. “It’s difficult to come to America from Europe, and then to tack that on top of it, if I was managing a European team, I would have to look closely at that. I think some participation still would have happened, but the Maryland Cycling Classic might not have gotten the quality of rider that they got in Year 1 and were getting more of in Year 2.”
Nathan Surowiec, originally from Bel Air and a graduate of Fallston, is a racer for Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, North Carolina. He expressed concern about potentially losing the progress made from participating in the event.
“The experience has been incredible, particularly in showcasing the beauty of Maryland and Baltimore to my fellow competitors,” he expressed. “Many are pleasantly surprised by the excellent cycling routes we have here. It’s been fulfilling to introduce those who wouldn’t typically consider Maryland as a travel destination, to the wonderful qualities of the state.”
There is worry that the lack of the event this year will impact the biking community in a negative way. Traill mentioned that previous races ignited passion among casual bikers and sparked interest among non-cyclists.2023 Maryland Cycling Classic
“It’s unfortunate that the event has been postponed, as it can be difficult to regain momentum after a loss like this,” stated Surowiec, who placed 18th in the Criterium race at the USA Cycling Collegiate Road National Championships on May 5th in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
McGill acknowledged his understanding of the decision given the circumstances of the tragedy.
In 2022, the Maryland Cycling Classic had its first appearance and was attended by approximately 70,000 people. On Sept. 3 of the previous year, the event had an estimated turnout of 80,000 individuals and garnered nearly 800,000 live viewers, representing a significant 200% rise from 2022.
Kris Auer, one of the organizers of the Charm City Cross race, expressed disappointment that Baltimore will not be hosting the event. The race, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary on September 28-29, is sanctioned by UCI as a lower tier event. Auer believes that the race demonstrated the quality of cycling in Maryland and brought attention to Baltimore as a cycling destination. It also brought together individuals who may not have previously considered Baltimore in that regard, highlighting the potential that the city has for hosting events.
The Maryland Cycling Classic is not a typical event. It is the top road cycling competition in the United States and has the support of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the governing organization for the sport which also endorses events such as the Tour de France.
The data indicates that this year’s event on September 1st would have exceeded previous records, making the delay feel like a major setback.
In the 2023 Maryland Cycling Classic, Kyle Murphy, from L39ION of Los Angeles, attempts to create distance from the main group while riding through North Baltimore County. (Photo by Jerry Jackson/Staff)
He chuckled, saying, “This particular weekend, I’m receiving a lot of media coverage, which isn’t always the norm.” “When we compete in Europe, we’re typically a small contender in a large competition. However, in this race, it feels like I’m a top competitor in a smaller field. So it’s been a packed weekend trying to balance media commitments while staying focused on the race.”
The route within the city limits consisted of 4.5 laps through a 7.5-mile path containing 19 turns and brief inclines through residential areas such as Fells Point, Washington Hill, Old Town, and Mount Vernon. The perimeter of the circuit was mainly defined by St. Paul Street to the west, Pratt Street to the south, South Broadway to the east, and East Lafayette Avenue to the north.
Joe Traill, the proprietor of Joe’s Bike Shop located in Fells Point and Mount Washington, expressed his immense disappointment about recent events. He believes it is unfortunate that these occurrences have taken place during the beginning stages of the event. The idea of not hosting the Preakness, which is a well-established event, due to unforeseen circumstances is unimaginable. It is regrettable that there is even a possibility of not having this race.McGill, who competes for Project Echelon Racing, will have to dip his toe elsewhere after Tuesday’s news that the third version of the Maryland Cycling Classic was being postponed this year. Organizers said the race is expected to return in 2025, but the delay left people with ties to the biking community feeling frustrated.Jerry Jackson/Baltimore Sun
Organizers of the event gave several explanations for the delay, such as some cyclists competing in the upcoming Summer Olympics in Paris and the added burden on Baltimore City and Baltimore County resources and staff following the Key Bridge collapse.
Scott McGill, a professional cyclist from Fallston who completed his high school education there, was well aware that competing in the Maryland Cycling Classic on Labor Day weekends brought both excitement and duty.
“We witnessed a lot of enthusiasm at the shop, but what really stood out to me was the excitement I encountered when dining at my favorite local restaurants. Even non-cyclist customers were discussing and inquiring about the race, recognizing me as a member of the cycling community. It was a unique moment where drivers in Baltimore County showed enthusiasm for seeing cyclists on the road, despite any inconveniences it may have caused.”
While focusing on the competitive aspect of the event, McGill expressed his enjoyment in acting as a defacto tour guide for both his teammates and opponents.
Request for comment from a spokesperson for John Kelly, chairman of the race at Kelly Benefits Strategies, was declined. Similarly, there was no response from a representative of Al Hutchinson, CEO of Visit Baltimore, when requested for comment.
