One of Central Oregon’s premier annual sporting events may be at risk of not being staged in 2015.

The Cascade Cycling Classic is in need of a title sponsor for next year’s stage race, tentatively scheduled for July 14-19, as Bend Memorial Clinic is dropping its title sponsorship after nine years.

Officials with the nonprofit Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation, which puts on the CCC each summer, announced Thursday that they are seeking a three-year commitment for a title sponsor and must obtain that sponsor prior to Oct. 15 in order to hold the race in 2015.

“It was a tremendous commitment on their part, and MBSEF is very appreciative,” John Schiemer, executive director of MBSEF, said of BMC’s longtime sponsorship. “But without a title sponsor we cannot hold the race and we are hopeful that we will secure one in the next month.”

The Cascade Cycling Classic is the longest-running road cycling stage race in the United States. Each summer for the last 35 years, top pro and amateur riders have converged on Central Oregon for this classic multiday stage race. The event is highlighted by the evening criterium in downtown Bend, which draws thousands of spectators.

“BMC has been thrilled to be part of the reason the race remained the longest-running stage race in the country,” said Christy McLeod, chief operating officer for BMC. “We are hopeful that MBSEF will find another sponsor to continue the investment in the race, as it is an excellent event for our community.”

Molly Cogswell-Kelley, the financial development and events director for MBSEF, said that BMC officials indicated about a year ago that they would not renew their sponsorship. She said MBSEF has done some legwork in recruiting a new sponsor, adding that she is confident a title sponsor will be secured in time to keep the 2015 Classic on the calendar.

“We’ve notified our existing sponsors and we’ve received some inquiries,” Cogswell-Kelley said. “But at this point no one is reviewing our contract. We believe that many businesses in the town do very well during this event, especially on Saturday (during the criterium). Yet MBSEF, we take all the risk and we do all the work.”

The Cascade Cycling Classic is one of the most popular bike races in the country among races not sanctioned by the International Cycling Union, cycling’s world governing body. This past July, 605 cyclists (pros and amateurs) competed in the Cascade. Cogswell-Kelley said that for the first time, MBSEF was forced to turn some racers away because the field had reached capacity.

“In our discussions with other race promoters, they were baffled by our success,” Cogswell-Kelley said. “There was so much growth this year, while most other races stayed level.”

According to Cogswell-Kelley, MBSEF is seeking a $50,000 commitment from a title sponsor for the CCC, which she said costs more than $200,000 to stage.

MBSEF’s gross profit from the 2014 race was about $30,000, she added.

“Our profit margins are eroding, and it’s one of the most taxing events for us to produce,” Cogswell-Kelley said. “But we still think it’s a very important race for the community. We love it, and we do not want to see it go away.”

— Reporter: 541-383-0318,

mmorical@bendbulletin.com