One of America’s most enduring and successful amateur cycling races has been cancelled just weeks before its planned start date.

The 2024 Joe Martin Stage Race, which would have celebrated its 47th edition May 24-27, will not happen according to long-time race director and CEO of All Sports Production Bruce Dunn.

“After 46 years of amateur stage racing, 21 years on the USA Cycling professional calendar and 9 years on the UCI international calendar we’ve had to make the very difficult decision to cancel the 2024 event due to the rising costs of producing a multi-day stage race coupled with limited corporate and stakeholder sponsorship and funding,” Dunn told the Fayetteville Flyer.

The race, which started in 1978 and was most recently funded by a large sponsorship from Walmart, offered elite and age group racers a multi-day stage race format in the rolling hills of Northwest Arkansas, as well as on the downtown streets of Fayetteville. However, with amateur participation rapidly fading in recent years Dunn reduced age-group racing to a single criterium and even tried adding a gran fondo to attract more riders.

In the end, the event could not overcome declining registrations, ever rising costs and lack of sponsorship, but Dunn is optimistic and hopes to bring the event back.

“With 14 months to plan for 2025, we will be working tirelessly to secure a top-tier line-up of sponsors,” Dunn added.

Other cycling events organized by All Sports Production, Big Dam Bridge 100 gran fondo on 28 September and the 27 April UCI Highlands Gravel Classic, are not affected and will take place as scheduled.

Photo Credit: Fayetteville Flyer/Todd Gill

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