January 10, 2019 (Penticton, B.C.) – Registration is now open for the Hayman Classic Youth Stage Race. Returning are all four 2018 stages, including the spectacular Area 27 venue. New for 2019 is ‘ability based’ categories. These mixed-gender races will allow riders to select the category that best reflects their current ability and experience. Separate races for elite Junior U19 boys and U19 girls remain. Check out the website for details. Registration includes the ever popular Saturday evening banquet. A limited number of tickets are also available for coaches, club support staff and family members during the rider registration process, or separately.

Comprised of four races over three days, it stands almost alone on a yearly cycling calendar that caters overwhelmingly to adults. What makes the Hayman Classic distinctive is that it is open only to young cyclists, meaning those aged 13 to 19.

More than that, the races are designed to give them a European-style experience of riding in groups or alone over courses that challenge their skill, strength and stamina against top juniors from British Columbia, Canada and the United States. For coaches and trainers, it’s a chance to take the measure of the next generation of cyclists.

For Ron Hayman, the former Olympian and pro racer behind the Hayman Classic, it’s an opportunity to nurture and encourage young riders, but more important to give them a chance to compete, to have a “real-world experience,” as he puts it. Too often, he says, young riders devote hours and hours to training but rarely if ever have the chance to succeed – and fail and learn – from a hard-fought race. The Hayman Classic helps to fill that void.

Register here.