FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Members of the University of Arkansas Cycling Club are hosting the Arkansas Classic bike race on Saturday, March 7, and Sunday, March 8, in Mountainburg and Prairie Grove. Riders from the South Central Collegiate Cycling Conference, and the North Central Collegiate Cycling Conference, representing 51 different universities have been invited to enter the race. The University of Arkansas is currently at the top of the South Central Conference.

In addition to collegiate riders, the race includes categories for Junior racers, children ages 10-18, and Master racers, ages 30 and older.

Between 100 and 140 racers are expected to compete in the race, according to Jordan Jones, race director and vice president of the U of A Cycling Club.

The event begins with an individual time trials on starting at 8 a.m. Saturday, March 7, up Mount Gaylor on U.S. Highway 71. At 1 p.m. the riders will race against each other in a large group riding from Prairie Grove to Hogeye, looping out the infamous Hells Kitchen climb, and back to the finish line in Prairie Grove.

The Arkansas Classic finishes with a strength and endurance test. Riders will race a criterium starting 8 a.m. Sunday, March 8, in Prairie Grove. This will be a lapped racecourse held in the Sundowner housing development. Spectators are encouraged and welcome to attend.

About the program: The University of Arkansas Cycling Club is a part of the University Recreation Club Sports program.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.