A Tour of Arkansas is within the works for Could 2026 as an internationally sanctioned stage race within the US. All Sports activities Productions will lead efforts to “reimagine” a UCI-sanctioned stage race for women and men, much like the long-standing however financially-challenged Joe Martin Stage Race that ended a four-decade run two years in the past.
Early plans for the Tour of Arkansas will deal with the occasion to be held in northwest Arkansas, the place Joe Martin Stage Race was primarily based as an novice occasion after which a UCI 2.2 occasion for 46 editions. All Sports activities Productions has owned and produced the Joe Martin Stage Race for the final 25 years and can oversee all operations for the Tour of Arkansas.
Primarily based on complete market analysis carried out throughout the biking business final yr by All Sports activities Productions, Dunn determined that new branding was wanted to reinvigorate help for a UCI-sanctioned stage race for women and men within the area, and he already has constructive suggestions to make the occasion occur.
“The data is right here, we simply want the cash. It merely goes all the way down to elevating cash,” Dunn advised Cyclingnews. “Tour of Arkansas says one thing. It resonates outdoors the biking group. We have now early conversations with potential sponsors.”
Dunn mentioned that the brand new stage race would replicate the format of the Joe Martin Stage Race by together with a time trial, criterium and highway phases, although it was not specified what number of days could be a part of the inaugural version. Lauren Stephens, who received the Pan-American highway race championships, received the ladies’s GC within the ultimate version in 2023, whereas Riley Sheehan, now with Israel-Premier Tech, received the boys’s GC.
“Probably the most essential side of bringing the Tour of Arkansas from the starting stage to actuality is discovering sponsorship companions who perceive the complexity and inherent prices of staging one of these worldwide occasion. Thankfully, Arkansas is house to many profitable Fortune 500 corporations, tourism organizations and main client bundle good distributors who’re invested in driving the state’s popularity and choices for outside recreation, in addition to people who’re captivated with biking,” he famous.
After 41 years of stage racing, began for amateurs because the Fayetteville Spring Basic, the Joe Martin Stage Race was postponed for the primary time in 2020 as a result of COVID pandemic. The race resumed for 3 extra years however was cancelled in each 2023 and 2024 as a result of a shortfall in funding.
“We might be working diligently within the months forward to faucet into the state’s assets to deliver a brand new marquee biking occasion to life. Up to now decade, Arkansas has change into a real biking vacation spot with help from state, regional and native tourism organizations to not point out companies and people who need to see the state proceed to develop and develop its biking credentials.”
He mentioned that whereas the identify of the occasion will not be related to the primary race director, Joe Martin, who died of most cancers in 1989, the household was nonetheless supportive.
“I am your greatest fan, and no matter you determine to do long run, we help.
“The identify Joe Martin Stage Race doesn’t imply at this time what it did earlier than, particularly outdoors the endemic biking world. Nancy, Joe’s spouse, at all times mentioned, ‘I am your greatest fan, I am your greatest supporter.’ She mentioned no matter we determine to do long run did not want a blessing for change,” Dunn shared on sustaining a connection to the roots of the occasion.
The early years of the race have been at all times managed by an area biking membership, and Dunn was a part of that organising committee. When he based All Sports activities Productions in 2003, he took possession of the race itself after which moved the occasion that yr from a regional race to the US racing nationwide calendar. Ten years later, the Joe Martin was upgraded to the UCI calendar.
All Sports activities Productions additionally operates the Highlands Gravel Basic primarily based in Goshin, Arkansas. The second-year occasion takes place on April 6 this yr and is the primary of two US races which can be a part of the UCI Gravel World Collection.
Dunn hopes {that a} revival for stage racing within the US will happen in Arkansas, with classes for women and men. Earlier this month, Infinity Occasions Group within the UK introduced plans to hunt funding to deliver a males’s UCI stage race to Colorado in September 2026.
“For 46 years, we produced the Joe Martin Stage Race in Fayetteville, Arkansas and have become a fixture on each the North American and worldwide racing calendars. There are numerous of us within the business who can produce nice bike races, it’s actually one factor – cash,” said Dunn.
