CYCLING

FROM PAGE 22

So far, Ford is crushing Ferrari, and endurance-based riding is dominating.

“It didn’t take long for our team to really start to understand, read, and communicate with each other midrace,” Granigan said. “With riders from all over the world, all with their own strengths and styles, we were quick to take all of that and create a really strong unit, which we demonstrated in the Miami Beach cup in the rst race of the year.”

Development of the future e experimentation is still ongoing, McCalvin said. e three events this year are all in di erent formats. e Miami event was held on Ocean Drive. e Denver event is held at a professional sports facility. e Atlanta event will be more private and VIP-based.

“We’re trying to gure out what the model is in relation to keeping it community-based and getting the local families and community involved. I want your aunt to go and have a good time. Not just you because you enjoy cycling,” McCalvin said.

But McCalvin knows the future of all sports is in broadcasting. e NCL events are all broadcast on the GCN+, the Global Cycling Network streaming service. It’s all about expanding the league’s reach and getting new fans invested and interested in the sport.

“We’re very excited about being at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park,” McCalvin said. “A big part of what we’re doing is development of the future. It’s one of our pillars. It’s the best thing in the community.”

At the Aug. 13 event, there will be free junior racing, free mountain bike crit racing for kids, and a community ride for fans of all ages.

In fact, everything involving the event is free: the parking, the tickets, the community-based activities involved, and watching the pro race. e only thing interested fans will need to purchase is food and souvenirs, unless they want VIP tickets, which can be purchased on www. nclracing.com.

“Now we’re the cycling team in Denver and Colorado, and that’s important to us,” McCalvin said. “I remember when the Mammoth rst started, and I remember when the Rapids rst started. It didn’t quite happen all at once. It started semi-small-ish, and it’s grown into a [signi cant] fanbase and community staple.”

For more information on the NCL and the Denver Disruptors, visit the team’s website at www.nclracing. com/teams/0/denver-disruptors. “Paint your faces, bring your ags, and come out and support!” McCalvin said.