PRESS RELEASE: Helen100 events confirmed for US Pro CX 2021/22 

Following the confirmation of the 2021-22 US Pro CX calendar it’s our pleasure to confirm several events will host Junior women races as part of a Helen100 GP series. 

‘In the past couple of years, the Helen100 events have been largely in Europe, growing from a single race to a series of four events as part of the DVV series in 2019/20 season. They seem to have been very well received and been a success in highlighting talent in Junior categories. Following the performance of Feme van Empel (Who won the final round in Brussels to also secure the overall win) at the World Championships in 2021 there were some calls to try to mirror the effort in the USA, and I’m pleased to say that today we can reveal the first steps for the 2021/22 season’, Helen Wyman, founder of Helen100

Charm City Cross in Baltimore MD, will host two UCI Junior Women’s races. Other events are still to be confirmed but will  form a junior women's  series with an overall prize fund. Charm City Cross  will also have 100 junior women’s entries  funded by Helen100 meaning up to 50 riders each day can ride for free.

‘This series of events in the USA will bring me full circle with Helen100. I owe a huge chunk of my career to the USA ‘cross scene. I raced largely for North American based teams and  partners and without the atmosphere of those races and the friendly nature of the scene I’m sure I would have retired several years earlier. The US based Rapha Foundation allowed me to do what I’ve done with Helen100 over the past couple of seasons as we have pushed for equality of opportunity in the sport.’

The first Pro CX event in Europe to have equal prize money was the Koppenberg Cross, backed in a joint initiative between Helen and Charm City Cross organizer Kris Auer. ‘Having the Baltimore  race as part of what is likely to be the last ever Helen100 series is a great way to round things off. With equal prize money now mandated, Junior Women’s races added to the UCI schedule to back up Elite and U23 Categories, I feel the sport is in a great place. There will always be work to do, but North American racing has been way ahead of the curve on this and I hope it continues to set standards. Travel permitting, I hope to attend a couple of rounds of the series myself in 2021.’

“Since meeting with Helen in 2011,  Charm City Cross has forged a kinship.   Having a partnership throughout those years allowed our event and I believe women’s cycling to grow.   Working to bring the next and future generations of women into the sport is the next logical step in our collaboration.   We are excited to continue working with Helen and the Helen 100 in 2021” Kris Auer, Charm City Cross.