Arkansas Parks, Heritage and Tourism Department partners with Walmart UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships
by December 16, 2021 7:53 am 810 views
Experience Fayetteville has received a grant to host a series of cyclocross races, including the 2022 Cyclocross World Championships. In 2018, Experience Fayetteville sponsored OzCross Cyclocross race at Centennial Park at Millsap Mountain in Fayetteville.
Experience Fayetteville announced Wednesday (Dec. 15) that the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism (ADPHT) is now an official partner of the Walmart 2022 Cyclo-cross World Championships.
The event is scheduled in Fayetteville from Jan. 28-30. It’s just the second time the United States has hosted the event in its 72-year history.
Experience Fayetteville is the destination marketing organization for the city of Fayetteville and the area organizing committee for the 2022 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships.
“We’re thrilled to welcome this global event to Arkansas next year,” said Stacy Hurst, secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, said in a statement. “Competitors and spectators from across the world will be able to experience first-hand the hospitality and world-class cycling and mountain biking that Arkansas is so well-known for. Not only will the event contribute substantial economic impact to Fayetteville and Northwest Arkansas, the entire state will see a positive impact as well. We couldn’t be more pleased to help sponsor this elite competition in The Natural State.”
Approximately 300 cyclists representing 25 countries will compete for UCI World Championship titles in men and women elite, men and women under 23, men and women juniors, and team Relay events, with the latter being included for the first time.
“We want to establish the Natural State as a renowned destination for recreational and cultural experiences and an unparalleled place to live and work,” Travis Napper, director of Arkansas Tourism, said in the news release. “Having the World Championships in our state is just another great example of how Arkansas continues to be recognized around the world as a prime cycling and mountain biking destination. We’re proud to work with Experience Fayetteville on bringing this historic sporting event to Arkansas.”
In 2019, Experience Fayetteville received a $2.3 million grant from the Walton Family Foundation’s Personal Philanthropy Group to coordinate and promote three cyclo-cross races, including the 2022 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships. The event will take place at Centennial Park at Millsap Mountain in Fayetteville.