Niagara Classic Road Race becomes Steve Bauer Classic for 2016

The Niagara Classic Road Race will return in 2016 as the Steve Bauer Classic for its 31st edition. The race, which runs on a 12-km road race circuit in and around the town of Pelham, Ont., will attract racers from Ontario, Quebec and the eastern U.S. to contest the annual springtime event on May 21. The finish line will return to its traditional position at the top of the 2-km Effingham hill climb that peaks at a gradient of 14 per cent and climbs more than 100 m.

Leah Kirchmann (Team Liv-Plantur) and Ryan Roth (Silber Pro Cycling), the winners of the 2015 edition in the elite categories, hope to return to the event in 2016 if their racing calendars permit. Canadian women’s trade team SAS Macogeg Aquisio powered by Mazda are also committed to participating as they prepare for the UCI Grand Prix Cycliste Gatineau.

The Ontario Cycling Association sanctioned Ontario Cup race will now be organized in a partnership between the Cycle Sport Management Inc. and St. Catharines Cycling Club. The event is named after former professional road cyclist, Olympic medallist and St. Catharines, Ont.-native Steve Bauer. “I am proud to align my name and work with the St. Catharines CC on this iconic event,” said Bauer. “These roads are my roots and I enjoyed the freedom to train and develop my talents from my home. It is terrific to share my experience of the classic with the participants for years to come.” Bauer’s Cycle Sport Management Inc. is the same organization that was behind team SpiderTech, Canada’s most recent pro continental team.

Wally Tykoliz, president of the St. Catharines Cycling Club added, “We are enthusiastic to have Steve join forces with us to build upon the great road racing heritage of the Classic. We aim to provide an exceptional experience for the road racing community in Canada.”

Information and registration for the race will be available on stevebauerclassic.com.