The Amazon Armed Forces Cycling Classic has entered into a multi-year collaboration with Amaury Sport Organisation (A.S.O.), the French company that owns and operates the Tour de France.
This landmark partnership aims to transition the event from a national US event into one of international prominence. Founded in 1998, the Armed Forces Cycling Classic is organised by Arlington Sports, a non-profit organisation based in Washington, DC, and is dedicated to the development of professional and amateur bike racing.
The event began as a grassroots effort to bring competitive racing to the streets of Arlington, VA, while celebrating the region’s ties to the US military. Since then, it has grown from a single-day race into a multi-day festival featuring professional races, amateur challenges, and youth activities.
Brian Morra, Advisory Board Chairman of the Classic, said “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.”
The event expanded into Washington, DC for the first time in 2025. The 2026 edition is scheduled to take place on May 30–31, 2026, across Washington, DC and the Clarendon neighbourhood of Arlington, VA.
As part of the new agreement, representatives from A.S.O will be on-site during the 2026 race weekend to engage with athletes and partners. The French organisation currently operates 100 events across 37 countries, including major cycling fixtures such as Paris-Roubaix, La Vuelta, and the ADAC Cyclassics Hamburg.
Yann Le Moenner, General Manager at A.S.O, said “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. 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.”
Amazon has served as the title sponsor for the race since 2025. Steve Hartell, Vice President of Public Policy at Amazon, noted that the event embodies strong community partnerships and stated the company is “proud to see it take its place on the world stage.”
Robert Laybourn, President of Arlington Sports and race founder, said “This 28-year journey to get to this point has been incredibly rewarding for me. 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.”
The weekend includes various participation levels, including:
- High-speed professional and elite races
- The cyclosportive amateur challenge
- Kids’ races
- Free-to-attend spectator experiences
The amateur Challenge Ride is priced at US$120, while spectating for the professional events remains free for the public. The event is held rain or shine.
Angie Gates, President and CEO of Events DC, said “We are excited to witness the Armed Forces Cycling Classic reach new heights. This race not only highlights Washington, DC as a premier cycling destination but also reinforces our status as a global sports hub.”
Arlington Sports maintains that stewardship is a key principle of the organisation, and the collaboration with A.S.O is intended to ensure the event grows to serve the community for many years to come.
