REDLANDS, Calif. (January 30, 2020) — The Redlands Bicycle Classic will shift from its traditional dates in March to April starting in 2020, according to a press release dated January 30, in order to better fit in USA Cycling’s professional racing calendar.
For 2020, the race will be held from April 22-26, after which racers are anticipated to head directly to New Mexico for the Tour of the Gila.
While course details have yet to be announced, the time trial will be held at a new venue, most likely in the mountains near Wrightwood.
The new dates in April offer a number of advantages over previous years, including what will likely be better weather, as well as the opportunity for on-campus visits to various schools by participating teams, since the race will no longer coincide with the Redlands School District’s two-week annual spring break.
The Redlands Bicycle Classic dates back to 1985 when Thurlow Rogers won the first-ever event.
In 2019, Semper Porro cyclist Cory Lockwood, who trailed by 1:08 heading into the final Sunset stage, beat Hagens-Berman Axeon’s Kevin Vermaerke to take the yellow jersey of the overall winner on March 18, winning by 1:25.
Amber Neben, who was presented with the Redlands Bicycle Classic’s annual Legends Award during the 2019 event, notched her fourth career overall triumph equalling the mark set by Chris Horner, another Legends honoree, who has also won the event four times.
The five-stage, five-day stage race covers about 350 total miles. The 5-stage 2020 edition will open in the city of Highland on Wednesday, April 22, followed by Thursday’s time trial stage, and a mountain road stage to Oak Glen on Friday. The race will be capped off by the downtown Redlands Criterium on Saturday, and the Sunset Road Race on Sunday.
