Annual Race Returns in August 2021
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (Feb. 9) – The Joe Martin Stage Race, one of the top professional and amateur road cycling stage races in the country, returns to Fayetteville, Ark., Aug. 26-29
Now in its 44th year, the Joe Martin Stage Race is the oldest continually held cycling stage race in the country dating back to 1978. Professional and elite amateur men and women road cycling teams gather in Fayetteville for a series of race stages that include time trials, road races, and criteriums.
The weekend events culminate with the fourth and final stage, the spectator-friendly Experience Fayetteville Criterium held on the streets of Historic Downtown Fayetteville.
Organizers are confident a late summer timeframe will give the Joe Martin Stage Race a high degree of certainty to be held with a full complement of national and international professional teams, along with elite amateur teams and individual riders from across the United States.
“Not holding the race in 2020 was the responsible and prudent decision out of concern for public health and safety,” Race Director Bruce Dunn said. “After promoting seven -in-person events in 2020 that followed local and state health guidelines; holding frequent meetings with cycling team directors, owners, and event directors from across the country; and consulting the national and international cycling governing bodies, we are confident we can race bicycles later this summer in Fayetteville, Arkansas.”
Molly Rawn, Experience Fayetteville CEO, said, “We look forward to welcoming these cycling teams to Fayetteville. The city and surrounding area’s geography make Fayetteville one of the best places to road ride, and I can’t wait for these athletes to experience it.”
Race History
The Joe Martin Stage Race is consistently ranked as one of the top stage races on both the USA Cycling Pro Road Tour (PRT) and Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) America Tour calendars. This year will mark the 44th edition of the amateur races, 19th anniversary on the PRT, and 7th year on the UCI America Tour schedule.
Originally known as the Fayetteville Spring Classic, the race was renamed in memory of long-time race director Joe Martin after his passing in 1989. Today, the Joe Martin Stage Race is one of the longest-running annual events in Northwest Arkansas and was a deciding factor when the UCI recently awarded Fayetteville the Bike City label – the first city in the United States to receive the international designation.
For more information on the Joe Martin Stage Race and the Experience Fayetteville Criterium, visit www.joemartinstagerace.com.
About All Sports Productions
All Sports Productions is a sports event management and consulting company established in 2003. All Sports Productions promotes cycling, running, duathlons, triathlons, and other outdoor events including the annual Joe Martin Stage Race. The goal of the company is to produce races at the highest standards which are locally, regionally, and nationally recognized events with a festival-like atmosphere. The mission of each event is to engage participants and spectators in a healthy, multi-sport lifestyle. Visit www.allsportsproductionsinc.com for information.
About Experience Fayetteville
Experience Fayetteville is the convention and visitors bureau for the city of Fayetteville, Arkansas. It is responsible for marketing the city to visitors and achieving a positive economic impact through tourism. It is the first point of contact for convention and meeting planners, sports tournament coordinators, and tour operators. Experience Fayetteville oversees the visitors bureau and Experience Fayetteville Visitors Center as well as the Fayetteville Town Center and historic Walker Stone House. The Fayetteville Advertising & Promotion Commission is the governing body of Experience Fayetteville. For more information on Fayetteville, Arkansas, visit experiencefayetteville.com.
