As the 2021 season draws to a close, preperations for the 2022 seasons had already began with the renewals. Now it's time to reveal the 7 HC bands.
Due to race day reduction each band now contains 9-10 RD's. The selection method on the other hand remains the same - out of those 7 bands each PCT team will have to pick 6 of them. Furthermore, if a race is undersubscribed (i.e. there are spots remaining to be filled), CT teams can have a chance at competing in HC races. But more information on that as well as the band choice timeline will be revealed at a later point.
Each band consists of various locations and terrains. However, the assortment of races will be a lot different than from seasons before. This means that some HC races have either moved up/down a division while some races from the remaining categories last year will be now part of the HC calendar.
And now for the HC bands and the races in them
Band 1
Benelux Challenge
Benelux
6
Down Under Classic
Australia
2
Giro dell'Emilia
Italy
2
Band 1 will feature familiar for this category races. The Benelux Challenge, as well as the flat curtain raiser Down Under Classic and the hilly curtain closer Giro dell'Emilia will be in this Band.
Band 2
Circulo de Juarez
Mexico
5
Post Danmark Rundt
Denmark
5
Two newcommers in HC for this season will form Band 2 - both were C1 category races. Both are also flat, meaning plenty of opportunities for sprinter, while in Denmark the TT specialists will also have time to shine.
Band 3
Int. Osterreich Rundfahrt
Austria
7
GP Wallonie
Belgium
2
The beautiful scenery of the Austian Alps will once again greet the HC peloton for 7 days with two summit finishes at the very start of the race and flat TT as a finish. This time the Int. Osterreich Rundfahrt will be paired with the Belgian classic in Namur - the GP Wallonie
Band 4
Tour de Pologne
Poland
7
Lisbon Classic
Portugal
2
As per tradition Tour de Pologne will be once again part of the HC calendar with the final three stages being the most likely places where the GC will be decided. This time it will be paired in a band with the Lisbon Classic, which has moved up from C1 category
Band 5
Tour of Norway
Norway
5
Bayern Rundfahrt
Germany
4
Band 5 is another one with races not featured on the HC calendar last season. Tour of Norway has been part of the PTHC calendar, but now has traded down to become a HC category race, while on the flipside is the Bayern Rundfahrt which trades up from being a C1 race.
Band 6
Tour du Maroc
Morocco
6
Strade Bianche
Italy
2
Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
Belgium
2
Band 6 will feature yet another former PTHC races that will now be the battleground for mostly PCT field. This time it'll be the 6 stage race in Morocco with its challenging profile that should not be underestimated by anyone. In this band will also be two familiar HC spots - a trip to the gravel roads of the Italian vineyards and the good old Belgian cobbles.
Band 7
Tour Down Under
Australia
6
Le Samyn
Belgium
2
Pro Hallstatt Classic
Austria
2
And last, but not least important of all, we present Band 7 and we see another familiar race in the Tour Down Under - one of season opening races which provides plenty of chances for both sprinters and puncheurs. Le Samyn makes its triumphant return after being absent last season - this time it is a HC race rather than C1 one. And for riders with afinity for the Austrian Alps, there's another opportunity to enjoy them in the Pro Hallstatt Classic, which moves down a level as well.
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
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11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant." [ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT] Xero Racing
Benelux Challenge
Down Under Classic
Giro dell'Emilia
Circulo de Juarez
Post Danmark Rundt
Int. Osterreich Rundfahrt
Tour de Pologne
Lisbon Classic
Tour of Norway
Bayern Rundfahrt
Tour du Maroc
