Throat Punch Thursday - Summer MTB XCC Series

About Throat Punch Thursday - Summer MTB XCC Series

Powered by RVA Racing | USAC Sanctioned | National Points Qualifier

EVENT IS RAIN OR SHINE!

Race Nights

August 13 • August 20 • August 27 
Heats start at 6:00 PM sharp. Know your category start time. Don’t roll up late unless you like watching from the sidelines.

Dogwood Dell - Barker Field: 1300 Blanton Ave, Richmond, VA 23221 (Google Maps)

The Rules - Pay Attention.

• MTBs only!
• This is USA Cycling Sanctioned MTB Race - USAC XCC format and rules apply.
• Series Racers - Keep your Bib Plate. Bib plates are issued for the series.
• Check in. Starts at 5:30. ALL racers MUST check in before each race – each day.
• Registration closes at NOON the day before the race
• There will be NO REGISTRATION ON RACE-DAY.  Online pre-registration only.
• No noodle bars for this one folks!  

Start Times.

The XCC Heats 

• 6:00 PM - Women’s Race: Intermediate, Expert, & Masters (20 min, 4-laps)
• 6:25 PM - Intermediate Men (20 mins, 4-laps)
• 6:50 PM - Intermediate Boys (20 mins, 4-laps)
• 7:10 PM - Expert Men & Boys (U23), Masters Men (20 mins, 5-laps)

• 7:35 PM - The Throat Punch Heat – Open to all racers (3-laps)
  • 3-lap race!
  • Waves spaced for a “fair” shake (and maximum carnage)
  • Scored by gender (top dude, top chica)

Race Format:

• The TPT races are held on a course of .50 - .75 miles in lap distance with 60 - 75 feet of elevation gain each lap.
• Lap counts are set based on first lap time.
• Riders will cover around 4-6 laps during the 15/20-minute duration of their heat.
• All racers combined for the final 7:30 Throat Punch wave - Glory goes to fastest Dude and Dudette0

The Course.

• We are NOT racing on the Dogwood trails.
• Each week's course is a custom, hand-built track right by the pavilion next to Barker Field.
• This course is VERY spectator friendly - bring the crew and your best heckle game.
• And yes - it changes every week to keep it spicy. Stay sharp.

Course Drops.

8/13 XCC Course Drop: coming soon - pre-reg for early view.
8/20 XCC Course Drop: coming soon - pre-reg for early view.
8/27 XCC Course Drop: coming soon - pre-reg for early view.

The Vibe:

Expect elbows-out racing. Bring your lungs, bring your legs, and maybe bring an ice pack for that ego (short track has a way of finding you).

It’s fast. It’s ridiculous. It’s fun.

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

• ALL racers MUST hold a USAC annual or purchase a one-day license!
• ALL 3 races are USAC qualifying opportunities for Nationals.
• ALL 3 races allow you to earn USAC points for Nationals.

Timing.

The TPT is electronically timed. Your bib plate is your RFID timing chip and should be mounted securely to your bars (top of plate) and the bottom of the plate should be mounted to cables, or in a way that makes the number clearly visible from the front of the bike. 

If you bend the plate, try to make it aero, don’t have it secured properly, or alter it in any way, we will NOT get a read. And that will mean all your hard work was for nuthin’ – so please don’t. Come find us if you have any questions on race day. Well also be checking on you.

Other.

Volunteers - We need a few volunteers to make this event happen.  A couple course marshals and a couple at the start/finish area.  Please email dennis@rvaracing.com if you can help or let us know at the check desk on race day.

RVA Racing brings you bike racing, built by bike racers - We're grassroots, but professionally savage.

Events in this series

• Throat Punch Thursday - Summer MTB XCC Race #1 — August 13, 2026
• Throat Punch Thursday - Summer MTB XCC Race #2 — August 20, 2026
• Throat Punch Thursday - Summer MTB XCC Race #3 — August 27, 2026

Series passes

• Expert Men - Series — $96.87
• Expert Boys (U23) - Series — $96.87
• Masters Men (50+) - Series — $96.87
• Masters Women (50+) - Series — $96.87
• Expert Girls (U23) - Series — $96.87
• Expert Women - Series — $96.87
• Intermediate Boys (U19) - Series — $96.87
• Intermediate Girls (U19) - Series — $96.87
• Intermediate Men - Series — $96.87
• Intermediate Women - Series — $96.87