SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (May 15, 2020) — The Salt Lake Criterium organizing committee announced today the cancellation of the 2020 event which was to take place on July 18. The decision to cancel was made based on the challenges of meeting guidelines set out by CDC, State, County and City governments, difficulty in travel and housing logistics for invited teams, financial issues surrounding sponsors during this unprecedented pandemic, as well as concerns on unintentionally contributing to the spread of COVID-19 in the community. The USA Cycling-sanctioned event, which as to include amateur and professional fields, is part of the USA CRITS Series.
“We are obviously disappointed to have to cancel the event this year with such great momentum coming out of our highly successful first run in 2019,” said the race director, Eric Gardiner, “but the health and safety of our riders, fans, and community are of the highest importance. The hallmark of USA CRITS racing is a fun short circuit in vibrant downtown areas that draws large numbers of competitors and spectators – it’s unfortunate that this conflicts with the necessary social-distancing guidelines designed to slow the spread of the pandemic.”
The organizing committee is in discussions with sponsors and the USA CRITS national series in order to secure a date and plan for the 2021 season. The inaugural event last year was highly successful with 319 amateur riders, 21 D1 professional teams, and over 5,000 fans which attend the venue throughout the day.
About USA CRITS Series
Now in its 14th year, the USA CRITS Series is the premiere cycling series in the United States. USA CRITS was developed to feature criterium riders and to offer venues, teams and riders the ability to excel in a unique discipline of cycling. Starting in 2018, an effort to build the sport toward greater sustainability was taken on with the USACRITS.tv project. The events that form the USA CRITS Series showcase the ideals that make criterium racing an American legacy: challenging courses that showcase arts and entertainment districts, a large and growing base of spectators, broad community support, and strong marketing opportunities for partners. www.usacrits.com
Website: www.saltlakecriterium.com
