The National Cycling League (US), in its debut year, has already made serious waves in American cycling with its cohort of all-star investors and new, fan-first racing format.
The race format is unlike anything we’re used to. These criterium-like races take place in spectator-friendly, urban centers where co-ed teams compete for points every single lap over the course of two races — a women’s race and a men’s race. Points aggregate from one race to the next, and the team that has amassed the most points at the end of the afternoon wins the race. Due to its high-pace nature, teams may substitute riders as often as they want. There are no individual winners, only a winning team.
By reinventing what American bike racing looks like, the NCL aims to reignite cycling fandom in the United States. But is it working? After watching the series opener from home , I went to the Denver NCL Cup race to see if the NCL is indeed changing cycling.
| Miami Nights take the win at a thrilling Denver NCL Cup
RECOMMENDED VIDEOS FOR YOU… Cycling Weekly A battle for the line at the NCL’s second race in Denver, Colo, on August 13, 2023 Denver certainly delivered on some exciting racing. The tension between the Denver Disrupters and Miami Nights was palpable, and the small point differential made for some fascinating racing. When the teams are only separated by a few points, every single lap of the race feels extremely important. This is something unique […]
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