Maryland Cycling Classic Returns To Baltimore County With Live MPT Coverage This September

BALTIMORE COUNTY - Maryland Public Television (MPT) will be the sole regional broadcaster for the 2023 Maryland Cycling Classic, allowing residents to watch the eagerly anticipated event for free.

The Maryland Cycling Classic, set to take place on Sunday, September 3, invites some of the world's best racers to Sparks Glencoe for a thrilling 120-mile showdown winding through Baltimore County and culminating at the iconic Inner Harbor.

MPT's coverage will kick off at 11:30 a.m. with a pre-race show anchored by renowned sports broadcaster Jim Hunter, accompanied by former international race champion Bobby Julich. A comprehensive six-hour live broadcast of the event will commence at noon, capturing all the pivotal moments leading to the finish line.

The event hopes to build on a successful 2022 race, showing more viewers the diverse landscapes and architecture of the Baltimore area. WBAL reports that in 2022, over 100,000 people watched the race on live TV. It was seen in 62 countries worldwide and had 2.3 million media impressions internationally.

The race will take cyclists from Sparks all the way to the Inner Harbor. (Image Credit: Maryland Cycling Classic)

Neilson Powless of Team EF-Education-EasyPost will be among this year's competitors. He was a top American and 3rd place finisher in the 2022 Maryland Cycling Classic and the top American finisher at the 2022 Tour de France.

"Racing in Maryland was a pretty awesome experience! It's always so nice to be able to race in America, and the Maryland Cycling Classic is a pretty big one at that. I'm happy the race is back for another year, and it looks like it's here to stay. I hope I keep racing it every year," Powless said in a news release from the race organizers.

The event features more than just a professional race. A four-day weekend of family-friendly activities kicks off on Thursday, August 31, with a community engagement day highlighted by a series of school visits by athletes and community ambassadors to educate children on bike and helmet safety.

On Friday, September 1, Baltimore's "Community Bike Jam" will occur at Patterson Park. The event is free to the public and open to everyone.

On September 2, the UHCCF Bridges of Hope Ride will see cyclists ride parts of the Maryland Cycling Classic professional course to support the UnitedHealthcare Children's Fund.

"For cycling enthusiasts in our region who aren't able to attend, MPT's live race coverage is a great way to experience the excitement, color, and pageantry of the top international pro cycling competition in the United States," said MPT Station Manager Steven J. Schupak. "We are constantly searching for the best and highest quality events around our region to bring to our viewers. The Maryland Cycling Classic is a prime example, helping MPT expand its range of offerings to include broadcasting a world-class sporting event – taking place right here in Maryland.