• The final three cyclists for the inaugural women’s race celebrate finishing the four-lap, 71.6-mile race. From left: Alison Jackson of Canada takes second, Agnieszka Skalniak-Sójka of Poland takes first, and Emma Langley of the USA comes in third. (AFRO Photos/Kendra Bryant)
  • The start line for the Maryland Cycling Classic’s inaugural women’s and men’s race at Harbor Point’s Central Plaza. (AFRO Photos/Kendra Bryant)
  • For the first time in three years, the Maryland Cycling Classic’s route will be solely in Baltimore City, passing through areas such as Falls Road, Boston Street and Light Street. (AFRO Photos/Kendra Bryant)
  • Benin’s women cycling team makes history as the first African female team to compete in a large American UCI race. The team includes cyclists from left: captain Estelle Agossounon, Hermionne Ahouissou, Raimatou Kpovihouede and Charlotte Metoevi. (AFRO Photos/Kendra Bryant)
  • Chicago native and cyclist Kevin Rhodes is a member of the Velo City Riders Cycling Club (VCRCC) based in Anne Arundel County. The club is known for its 105-mile ride from Mt. Vernon to the Washington Monument in D.C. (AFRO Photos/Kendra Bryant)
  • The 107.4-mile men’s cycling race began on Sept. 6 at 12:30 p.m. at Harbor East. Sandy Dujardin of France came in first place. (AFRO Photos/Kendra Bryant)
  • Local fitness companies, Charm City Run and Coppermine accompany merchandise vendors at the Maryland Cycling Classic. (AFRO Photos/Kendra Bryant)
  • Attendee Michael Law is excited for the future of Black people and cycling. “I love how the sport is growing among our people,” he says. (AFRO Photos/Kendra Bryant)
  • People from all over the country attended the Maryland Cycling Classic on Sept. 6. The event included an award ceremony and the introduction of teams. (AFRO Photos/Kendra Bryant)
  • Unfamiliar with the event, attendee Shayla Simmons is a first-time spectator. With better promotion of the event, she believes more African Americans will feel engaged to attend. (AFRO Photos/Kendra Bryant)
  • Baltimore native Tiffany Bryant learned a lot from the event, as someone who is not very familiar with the sport. She hopes to see more diversity in cycling in the future. (AFRO Photos/Kendra Bryant)

By Kendra Bryant
Special to the AFRO

The Maryland Cycling Classic returned to Baltimore Sept. 6, with cyclists racing from Harbor Point to the Inner Harbor for the first time in three years.

Taking home the winning jersey is Agnieszka Skalniak-Sójka of Poland for the four-lap, 71.6-mile inaugural women’s race and Sandy Dujardin of France for the six-lap, 107.4-mile men’s race. 

Local fitness vendors Charm City Run and Coppermine were featured at the event to encourage health and wellness. 

“I think it’s a great event to promote being active, especially for us African Americans,” said attendee Michael Law. “I love how the sport is growing among our people.” 

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), obesity is a grave concern among African Americans, with nearly 48 percent of Black adults classified as clinically obese. 

Kevin Rhodes, a Chicago native and member of Velo City Riders Cycling Club (VCRCC), whose members hail from the greater Baltimore area, has gone from 189 lb. to 125 lb. from daily cycling. 

“I ride 15 to 50 miles a day through Baltimore. I ride through Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Light Street and even York Road, daily,” said Rhodes. “For a break, I stop at Whole Foods, grab a piece of fruit. Ride past R. House, St. Paul, and right back home.” 

Rhodes was inspired by the boredom of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 to introduce cycling to young Black men in his community. 

“I had the idea of starting an initiative. A way for young Black men to learn how to ride, to compete, or even fix bikes, and one day work in a shop. If they’re entrepreneurs, they could one day open their own shop,” he said.

Still, some attendees felt that the representation in cycling is limited. 

“This experience has–representation-wise, it’s been very slim here,” said Baltimore native Tiffany Bryant.   Comment start  

Shayla Simmons said she hadn’t heard of the race before Sept. 6. 

“Until the street closures, I didn’t know [about the event],” she said. “Why aren’t more of us here? I would love to see more of us involved. I’m interested in learning more about the marketing behind this and speaking with the promoters.” Comment end  

According to Andscape, cycling is one of the Whitest sports in the world. During the 2021 International Cycling Union (UCI) World Tour, less than 1 percent of the riders were Black. 

At the Sept. 6 race, the Benin women’s national team made history as the first African female team to compete in a large American UCI race. The four-woman team did not finish, but their presence was still honored.