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The U.S. Open is on — for May in Providence

Published: Mar. 4, 2008
Last year's race was held in epic conditions
Last year's race was held in epic conditions
Photo: Casey B. Gibson

Last April's inaugural U.S. Open road race was held in epic snowy conditions — and with nearly unprecedented network television coverage — in Virginia.

This year's event is likely to be quite different. The 112-mile professional event has been moved to Providence, Rhode Island, on May 31. And while promoters are still negotiating a title sponsor and TV deal, they say the date and location change will soon make it a fixture on the domestic calendar.

The race will start in downtown Providence, loop out around the Scituate Reservoir to the west, then return to the city for about ten laps of a 4- or 5-mile circuit, promoter Dick Durishin told VeloNews on Tuesday.

"The race has a new permanent home in Providence," said Durishin, who lives in the city. John Eustice will once again be the race director.

Until Tuesday, the event was still on the UCI calendar, and the USA Cycling Pro Tour calendar, for April 13th in Richmond. Because of the late change in date and location, the race is no longer on either calendar.

But Durishin notes that the Providence event could serve as a kick-off for the so-called "Philly Week" of pro races, which comprises the CSC Invitational criterium in Arlington, Virginia, on June 1, and Pennsylvania's Allenstown Classic, June 3rd; Reading Classic, June 5th; and the Liberty Classic in Philadelphia, June 8th.

"Our race will be over in plenty of time for the riders to get down to Arlington," he said.

The race's name has been changed from the U.S. Open Cycling Championships to the U.S. Open of Cycling. It will include a men's and women's professional race and timed amateur charity rides on the same course.