Battenkill returns to UCI pro calendar in 2027

The Battenkill road race in New York State returned to the UCI calendar after a 13-year absence, providing another boost for professional cycling in North America. Scheduled for May 22, 2027, it will be a UCI 1.2-ranked men’s race, occurring two weeks before the Armed Forces Cycling Classic Capitol Cup, also a men’s 1.2 race set for June 5.

The revival of Battenkill follows the return of the Philadelphia Cycling Classic p/b Amerigas and UCI 1.1-ranked road races for both men and women. Along with the Tour of the Gila men’s and women’s 2.2-ranked stage races, these are the only U.S. events currently on the UCI's 2027 road calendar.

Event director Dieter Drake emphasized the significance of bringing Battenkill back to the UCI calendar, stating, "Battenkill was built around hard, unpredictable racing on beautiful but unforgiving roads." He explained that the UCI race offers a chance to provide that experience to professional riders while also engaging a new generation of cyclists.

Comparisons to the Belgian classics highlight the course's challenging features, characterized by short, steep climbs, narrow roads, and unpaved sections that demand strategic positioning and tactical endurance from the riders. Drake noted the race's nature: "There isn't one climb where you can say the race will be decided. The entire course makes the selection. Riders are constantly being asked to make decisions - where to position themselves, when to spend energy, how aggressively to ride the dirt, and when to attack."

The 2027 race will center around the village of Cambridge, offering a full weekend of events for amateur racers and recreational riders. Drake hopes to establish Battenkill as a long-term fixture on the racing calendar without reinventing its core essence. "We are trying to preserve what made people remember it. Cambridge, the dirt roads, the farms, the weather, the climbs, and the unpredictability are all part of the race," he explained. "Bringing the UCI event back gives us the opportunity to build on that history rather than replace it."