Maryland Cycling Classic Debuts Historic Course for Men’s & Women’s Races

July 23, 2025

New and Exciting Circuit for America’s Top Professional Bike Race

BALTIMORE (July 23, 2025) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – The 2025 Maryland Cycling Classic will make history on Saturday, Sept. 6, as America’s premier professional cycling race debuts both men’s and women’s competitions together for the first time on an exciting new 17.9-mile (28.8km) circuit course entirely in the City of Baltimore.

“We’re excited to welcome the Maryland Cycling Classic back to our city this September. This year’s event is going to be better than ever, not only because it features a new women’s race, but because the entire course is officially within Baltimore City limits,” Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott stated. He plans to attend a press conference on Wednesday to officially announce the course, accompanied by his wife, First Lady Hana Scott.  “It’s a special opportunity for folks here in Charm City to see free, world class racing—and folks all around the world to see our beautiful city. I hope to see everybody out there cheering this fall!”

The technical circuit course will test every aspect of the world class field from bike-handling skills with 28 turns to 550 yards of centuries-old cobblestones to two explosive climbs to a flat, fast final 1000 yards.

“The old course was great, but we decided to move it into the city for a variety of reasons,” said Jim Birrell, the event’s race director, who manages the technical aspects of the race. “Baltimore is a city of great neighborhoods. We wanted to highlight Baltimore’s famous and beautiful waterfront while telling the story of the city’s rich history. It’s blending the old and new of one of America’s most diverse cities.”

The women’s race, which starts at 8:30 am (EDT), will be comprised of four laps, covering 71.6 miles (115.2 kilometers). The men’s race, comprised of six laps and covering 107.4 miles (172.8 kilometers), will begin at 12:30 p.m. (EDT). Both races will start at the Harbor Point District’s Central Plaza and finish on East Pratt along Baltimore’s famous Inner Harbor, less than a mile apart.

“It’s been a team effort working back with the mayor’s office, Baltimore Police Department, Department of Transportation and Public Works to get to this level,” said Terry Hasseltine, the president of the Sport & Entertainment Corporation of Maryland, the event’s owners. “We couldn’t be happier with the course and believe it will open up a unique level of engagement for new and existing fans while providing new hosting opportunities for our key supporters.”

The men’s race will feature 5,682 feet (1,732 meters) of total climbing and 3,868 feet (1,179 meters) for the women. Points will be awarded for intermediate sprints after the first lap of each race as well as at the finish line. King/Queen of the Mountain points will be awarded up to the top of Northern Parkway on each lap.

The race course will feature various Fan Zones along the course (e.g., best places to watch) where some will include free cowbells, and thunder sticks to cheer athletes on and live race coverage on Big Screen TVs. Fan Zones will be located at Harbor Point (at the start), Thames Street cobblestones, Patterson Park, Mt. Vernon, and the finish line stretch on East Pratt Street.

Course Highlights

Starting with a Bang: The race will start at Harbor Point’s Central Plaza immediately adjacent to the Harbor East district. It’s where historic maritime heritage meets modern waterfront development. Riders will face their first test of nerves and skill within the opening mile, when the peloton encounters Fells Point’s18th-century granite cobblestones – a 550-yard technical gauntlet that has the power to shatter race aspirations and create decisive gaps that could determine the day’s outcome.

Racing through one of America’s oldest urban parks: The course then sweeps through Canton neighborhood’s fascinating blend of historic row houses and contemporary architecture before entering Patterson Park at mile 2. One of Baltimore’s oldest parks dating to the War of 1812, Patterson Park becomes a crucial tactical battleground with a deceiving uphill on East Baltimore Street where teams will position for the challenges ahead.

Passing by History: At mile 5, cyclists navigate past the towering Washington Monument (completed in 1829) and through Mount Vernon’s tree-lined streets adorned with elegant 19th-century architecture. The route then powers through Hampden at mile 8, an eclectic neighborhood with blue-collar roots dating to 1802 as a millworker settlement, now transformed into one of Baltimore’s most vibrant and artsy neighborhoods.

The Decisive Moment: St. Mary’s Seminary hosts the King/Queen of the Mountain stage, where America’s first Catholic seminary (established 1791) becomes the backdrop for the race’s most crucial climb. This challenging 1000 yards (900-meters) ascent will most likely separate the strongest riders from the field, crowning the day’s King or Queen of the Mountain. The climb may be a location where the race winner attacks, noting it’s the high point before descending back down to the waterfront.

Waterfront Finale: The race will conclude with a long, flat and fast drag down East Pratt Street in Baltimore’s famous Inner Harbor, the site of the finish line in 2022 and 2023, which saw crowds grow to around 20,000 for the finale.

For complete media kit, including, map, course profile, logos and graphics, and complete race week schedule, click here. More Info: MarylandCyclingClassic.us.

Sport & Entertainment Corporation of Maryland
The Maryland Cycling Classic is owned by the Sport & Entertainment Corporation of Maryland, a 501(c)3 tax exempt corporation and affiliated foundation of the Maryland Sports Commission, which is a division of the Maryland Stadium Authority, and was established in 2019 to further, promote, and move the State of Maryland forward through sports.

2025 Maryland Cycling Classic Race Week Schedule

All times listed are EDT

Saturday, September 6 | Maryland Cycling Classic (Free & Open To The Public)
Women’s Race Start | 8:30 a.m. | Harbor Point, Central Plaza
Women’s Race Finish | est. 11:20 – 11:40 a.m. | E. Pratt & Market Place
Awards Ceremony: 12:45 pm, Harbor Point, Central Plaza

Men’s Race Start | 12:30 pm | Harbor Point Central Plaza
Men’s Race Finish | est. 4:20 – 4:40 p.m. | East Pratt Street
Awards Ceremony: Immediately after men’s race, Finish Line, E. Pratt Street & Market Place

Exhibitor’s at both Start & Finish Lines, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday, September 6 | Community Bike Jam Presented By Kaiser Permanente
(Free & Open To The Public)
Time: 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. | Patterson Park

Friday, September 5 | Opening Celebration, Official Team Introductions, Public Concert
(Free & Open To The Public)
Time: 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | Harbor Point, Central Plaza

Thursday, September 4 | Welcome Reception/Forum (By Invite Only)
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | Site TBD

Media Contacts:

Craig Miller, KOM Sports Katrina Younce

719.339.6593 310.995.3619

Craig@KOMSports.com katrina@marcglobalcommunications.com

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