Downtown Springdale Hosts the Natural State Criterium Series
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 16, 2021
Contact: Jill Dabbs, Executive Director
Downtown Springdale
jill@downtownspringdale.org / (501) 425-0478
Downtown Springdale Hosts the Natural State Criterium Series
Springdale, AR – Downtown Springdale is about to get a whole lot faster. The Natural State Criterium Series presented by Tyson Foods kicks off this summer with four nights of high energy, full gas, spectator-friendly races that start and end at Shiloh Square at 106 W Emma Ave.
Racing action begins with a beginner-friendly, coached clinic which will teach handling skills, proper racing etiquette and tactics. This will be followed by three different levels of racing from beginner to the final event which may have some local pros jumping into the mix. These are USA Cycling-sanctioned criterium races so you are bound to see some fast riders!
“Good things seem to get their start in Downtown Springdale,” a spokesperson from Tyson Foods said. “Our company started here more than 85 years ago. By supporting the first of many cycling events, we hope to welcome Arkansans and people from across the country to this amazing place we’re proud to call home.”
The Natural State Criterium Series is presented by Tyson Foods and Downtown Springdale Alliance in partnership with Natural State Rock & Republic and All Sports Productions.
“The Natural State Criterium premiered in Northwest Arkansas in 2017, hosted by Bike NWA. We are so excited to bring it back to Springdale for the summer of 2021 with big dreams of it being a five-day series in all the NWA downtowns in 2022,” says Jill Dabbs, Executive Director of Downtown Springdale Alliance. “With all that is developing in the world of cycling in our region, this event has the potential to be on the national cycling calendar by 2023. Our region is resilient because of collaborative efforts across many sectors of our communities, including cycling. How exciting to see the “NASCAR of Cycling” developing a strong presence in Northwest Arkansas.”
RACE DETAILS:
The Natural State Criterium Series takes place on July 14, July 28, August 11 and August 18. Each race takes place in downtown Springdale and starts at 5PM. Riders can register at https://bit.ly/2S6syfZ. Registration fees range from $20-30.
Criterium Clinic
Led by pro road cyclists and coaches Ernie & Scotti Lechuga
5:00 PM
20 minutes
$15
Level C (Cat 4/5 Men & Women)
5:30 PM
30 minutes
$20
Level B (Cat 3/4 Men & Women)
6:10 PM
40 minutes
$25
(Cash payout to the top 3 males and top 3 females)
Level A (Open Men and Women)
7:00 PM
50 minutes
$25
(Cash payout to the top 5 males and top 5 females)
More information about the Natural State Criterium Series can be found at downtownspringdale.org.
ABOUT DOWNTOWN SPRINGDALE ALLIANCE:
Downtown Springdale Alliance is a nonprofit that was formed in 2011 with a mission to create vibrancy in our dynamic downtown. For more information, visit www.downtownspringdale.org.
ABOUT TYSON FOODS:
Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN) is one of the world’s largest food companies and a recognized leader in protein. Founded in 1935 by John W. Tyson and grown under three generations of family leadership, the company has a broad portfolio of products and brands like Tyson®, Jimmy Dean®, Hillshire Farm®, Ball Park®, Wright®, Aidells®, ibp®, and State Fair®. Tyson Foods innovates continually to make protein more sustainable, tailor food for everywhere it’s available and raise the world’s expectations for how much good food can do. Headquartered in Springdale, Arkansas, the company has 139,000 team members. Through its Core Values, Tyson Foods strives to operate with integrity, create value for its shareholders, customers, communities and team members and serve as a steward of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it. Visit tysonfoods.com to learn more.
ABOUT ALL SPORTS PRODUCTIONS:
All Sports Productions is a sports event management and consulting company, which promotes cycling, running, triathlons, adventure runs and other outdoor events. One of those cycling events is the national and internationally recognized Joe Martin Stage Race. The stage race will celebrate 44 years in 2021 as the longest continually held stage race in the country and at the same time, the professional races will celebrate 19 consecutive years on the Pro Road Tour (PRT) and 7 consecutive years on the UCI America Tour. The goal of the company is to produce races at the highest standards which are locally, regionally and nationally recognized events with a festival-like atmosphere. The mission of each event is to engage new participants and spectators in a healthy, multi-sport lifestyle.
ABOUT NATURAL STATE ROCK & REPUBLIC:
Natural State Rock & Republic is a multi-faceted cycling retreat — a hub for local cyclists and a destination for those traveling to Arkansas to ride bikes. The historic guest house in Springdale provides a rich landscape to explore Northwest Arkansas at every level. To learn more, visit naturalstaterockandrepublic.com.