Joplin Hosts 2026 Velosolutions UCI Pump Track Qualifier This Weekend
The Velosolutions/UCI Pump Track Qualifier will be held at Joplin's MOmentum Bike Park on Friday and Saturday, with winners moving on to the world championships in Beijing.
Joplin's MOmentum Bike Park will stage the 2026 Velosolutions/UCI Pump Track Qualifier on Friday and Saturday, joining 22 other cities worldwide to host a regional competition. The schedule includes Friday practice at 4:30 p.m., qualifying at 6:15 p.m., and a public reopening at 9 p.m., with Saturday practice at 11 a.m., qualifiers at noon, and finals at 7:15 p.m. The event offers adult races for riders 17 and older and youth races for those 16 and younger, with age groups divided in two-year increments for both genders.
All entrants will receive a commemorative T-shirt, finisher medal and racer goodie bag. Organizers anticipate 120-150 participants, including 35 professional cyclists, making it the largest U.S. qualifier. Winners will advance to the 2026 Velosolutions UCI Pump Track World Championships in Beijing's Mentougou District, China. The park, opened last November, spans 95 acres with 10 miles of trails and was funded by local taxes and a $1.5 million state grant.
Why it matters
The qualifier determines which riders will compete at the global pump-track championships, highlighting Joplin's growing role in competitive cycling.
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