Armed Forces Cycling Classic Announces Multi-Year Collaboration with Amaury Sport Organisation
ARLINGTON, VA — April 29, 2026 — The Amazon Armed Forces Cycling Classic, the region’s premier cycling event and a cornerstone of the American racing calendar for more than 25 years, has entered into a landmark partnership with Amaury Sport Organisation (A.S.O.), the French company that owns and operates the Tour de France and many top professional cycling events such as Paris-Roubaix, Hauts de France, La Vuelta, the ADAC Cyclassics Hamburg and many more.
From local race to national standout now looks to gain international prominence.
Founded in 1998, the Armed Forces Cycling Classic began as a grassroots effort to bring high-quality competitive racing to the streets of Arlington while celebrating the region’s strong ties to the U.S. military. The race quickly gained enthusiastic support from major sponsors and professional cyclists for its challenging courses, strong community support, and unique urban setting.
Over the years, the event has steadily expanded, growing from a single-day race into a multi-day cycling festival featuring professional races, amateur challenges, youth activities and a beneficiary component. It has attracted top domestic and international talent, drawn thousands of spectators annually, and become a key fixture on the U.S. cycling calendar.
Brian J. Morra, the Classic’s Advisory Board Chairman, emphasized the historic importance of Paris-based A.S.O.’s involvement in the event, “It’s impossible to overstate the significance of A.S.O entering the American market. This is similar to Formula One racing coming to the United States or to NFL games being played in Europe. This agreement marks a new and exciting era in American sports.”
“This 28-year journey to get to this point has been incredibly rewarding for me.” said Robert Laybourn, race founder and President of Arlington Sports. “Cycling has been so impactful for my life, and now starting this new chapter with A.S.O. will enable me to give back even more to the sport in really important ways. Stewardship is a key principle of my organization, and our collaboration with A.S.O. will build on the foundation we have established and ensure that this event will endure and grow to serve the community for many years to come. Our goals are aligned and reflect our shared vision for caretaking the sport of cycling for all of its stakeholders.”
“The Armed Forces Cycling Classic embodies what we believe great community partnerships look like, bringing people together, celebrating service, and investing in the places where we live and work. Amazon is proud to support this event and even prouder to see it take its place on the world stage,” said Steve Hartell, Vice President of Public Policy, Amazon. Amazon has been the title sponsor for the race since 2025.
A shared approach for the next phase.
“We are proud to begin this collaboration alongside Arlington Sports on an event that has been developed with consistency and rigor for more than two decades,” said Yann Le Moenner, A.S.O.’s General Manager. “What stands out to us is the strength of its foundations; the event is deeply rooted in the local community and has grown in a sustainable way. Our role will be to support this momentum and contribute to its development, while preserving its identity”
In 2025, the event expanded into Washington, D.C. for the first time, reflecting growing demand from athletes, partners, and spectators. This new agreement aims to strengthen the international reach of the event, enhance the experience for all stakeholders, and position Washington D.C. as a particularly attractive destination for the elite of cycling.
“We are excited to witness the Armed Forces Cycling Classic reach new heights,” said Angie M. Gates, President and CEO of Events DC. “This race not only highlights Washington, DC as a premier cycling destination but also reinforces our status as a global sports hub.”
The 2026 Armed Forces Cycling Classic will take place Saturday, May 30 – Sunday, May 31, 2026, across Washington, D.C. and Arlington, VA (Clarendon).
As part of this next phase, representatives from the Amaury Sport Organisation (A.S.O.), owners and operators of the Tour de France, will be on site throughout race weekend, experiencing the event firsthand and engaging with athletes, partners, and the broader community as they look ahead to the event’s future evolution.
The Amazon Armed Forces Cycling Classic weekend offers a range of opportunities for riders and fans to participate, from high-speed professional/elite races to the Cyclosportive, kid’s “races” and immersive free-to-attend spectator experiences. It aims to make a positive impact by inspiring everyone who can to bring cycling into their lives, a vision shared by both Arlington Sports and A.S.O.
For information on registration, volunteer opportunities, sponsorship, or how to experience the fast-paced action of professional cycling in the National Capital Region, visit www.cyclingclassic.org.
Media Contact:Maurisa Pottsmaurisa@spottedmp.com
Event Details
What: Armed Forces Cycling Classic
When: May 30–31, 2026
Where: Washington, D.C & Arlington, VA (Clarendon)
Website: www.cyclingclassic.org
Challenge Ride Cost: $120
Spectating: Free
Weather: Rain or shine
Arlington Sports, Inc. (ASI) is a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion and development of professional and amateur bike racing.
Amaury Sports Organisation (A.S.O.) is a company that owns, designs and organizes top international sporting events. Specialized in the ‘non-stadia’ events, it has in-house knowledge of professions linked to organization, media and sales of sports events. A.S.O. organizes 300 days of competition per year, with more than 100 events in 37 countries. A.S.O. is involved in major sports including cycling with the Tour de France, morally raid with the Dakar, mass events with the Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris, l’Etape du Tour de France, and sailing with production and distribution of images for prestigious races. Amaury Sport Organisation is a subsidiary of the Amaury Group, media and sport group that owns the newspaper L’Equipe.
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Key figures
800 local authorities involved each year
500+ loyal commercial partners
100,000 guests living unforgettable experiences
400,000+ participants in our mass-participation events