Welcome to the test piece that put XCO racing back on the map in Virginia. The Underground Spring XCO Race Series is back for 2026—bigger, faster, and rowdier than ever. Launched in 2021, this USAC-sanctioned series has drawn riders from VA, NC, WV, PA, and beyond with its unique courses, tight community, and pathway to Nationals.

For 2026 we're recognizing ATHLOS as a title sponsor. Y'all fight hard for those champs' jerseys, and these are the guys that provide 'em.  

Powered by RVA Racing & ATHLOS | USAC Sanctioned | National Points Qualifier

📅 Dates & Locations:

• March 14th- Return to Leakes Mill @ Leakes Mill Park
• March 21st - Escape Leakes Mill @ Leakes Mill Park
• March 28th - Battle on the Ridge @ Blue Ridge School
• April 4th - Punch the Unicorn @ Panorama Farms

⏰ Race Start Times: See table below.

👉 Register early - prices go up as we get closer to race day!

This is a USA Cycling (USAC) Sanctioned Competitive Race Series

• ALL racers MUST hold a USAC annual or purchase a one-day license!
• ALL races are USAC qualifying opportunities for Nationals.
• ALL races allow you to earn USAC points for Nationals.

COURSE MAPS

Don’t let the distance fool you, you’re gonna work for this one! These XCO courses are punchy, fast, and spectator friendly. Racers will be coming through the start/finish perimeter area and be on trails easily accessible for viewing and pictures. So, bring your family and friends to root you on! 

• Return/Escape Leakes Mill – This is the XCO course that started it all at ~3 miles with ~320’ of elevation gain per lap: LMP COURSE MAP
• Battle on the Ridge - New for 2026, expect this XCO course to be a burner at ~4 miles with ~510’ of elevation gain per lap: COURSE MAP - Coming soon!
• Punch the Unicorn – This XCO course is NOT for the faint of heart with ~3 miles and ~525’ of elevation gain per lap, it’s out to crush your soul: PTU COURSE MAP

 
Underground Series Championship Eligibility & Points

• This is a “most races, best places” series - ALL races count, no drops.
• You MUST race 3 events to be eligible for Series Champion Status.
• You MUST race in the same category for ALL races - places/points do not transfer between categories.
• Making it to the line counts - DNFs will still receive series points (seeded to back of field).
• 1st place series winners will earn Champion Status and this year’s version of the coveted RVA Underground Champion’s Jersey!  

Pro Tip: Series races are as much about “showing up” as placing because even DNF’s receive points. We’ve seen more than a couple “upsets” happen on race #4 just because that person made that last race.
 

Junior Categories

• Categories are designed to allow juniors to compete based on ability.
• There is NO minimum age requirement. But common-sense rules apply for safety of all racers on course.
  • Juniors will be competing on courses with adults. 
  • ALL junior racers MUST be on adult-sized bicycles (e.g., 27.5 or 29 platforms).
  • Juniors must be capable of completing the entire lap count for their category (baring technical issues).
• ALL racers are encouraged to register for the category that best aligns to their ability as long as they are compliant with the category age determinate (U23, U19, U16).
• Distances are aligned to Adult Expert, Sport, and Beginner categories.
  • Expert (U23) is Equivalent to Adult EXPERT.
  • Spory (U19) is equivalent to Adult SPORT.
  • Beginner (U16) is equivalent to Adult BEGINNER.
• If you’re unsure:
  • Check out course map, distance. and lap count.
  • Use the age determined brackets (U23, U19, U16) as a guide.
  • Still unsure – talk to a coach, friend, or hit us up at info@rvaracing.com

START TIMES - may change based on registration counts. We will announce in pre-race email sent night before.

Start Time       Category (in starting order)                           Laps*

10:00 AM          Masters Men & Women (45-59)                         3                                                            
                           Veterans Men & Women (60+)                          3
                           Legends Men (70+)                                              2
                           Clydesdales                                                          3
                           Beginner Men & Women                                     2 
                           Beginner Boys & Girls (U16)                                2
                           Open non-competitive                                        1-2

12:00 PM            Expert Men & Women (Open)                      4
                             Expert Boys & Girls (U23)                              4
                             Sport Men & Women                                      3
                             Sport Boys & Girls (U19)                                 3                     
                             SingleSpeed                                                     3 

AWARDS               10:00 AM races               11:30 AM
                                12:00 PM races                1:45 PM

NOTES: Laps/distances for each category are subject to change. Panorama and BRS courses will be reduced by -1 lap.