The UCI has launched a series of events in 2011, the UCI World Cycling Tour (UWCT), which will qualify riders for the UWCT Final (formerly known as the Masters Road World Championships). Two of the seven confirmed events are set to take place in the United States; New York City on May 8 and Fort Collins, Colo. on Aug. 20.

The UWCT will be comprised of a maximum of 15 qualifier events at which riders must place in the top 10% of their respective age division in order to be eligible to compete in the final, slated for early fall in Liege, Belgium. For 2011, seven races have already been confirmed including two legs in the United States and one each in Australia, Portugal, Slovenia, Belgium and Switzerland. Negotiations are still under way for qualifier events in Spain, the United Kingdom, Greece, Denmark and France.

Americans will have two home soil opportunities to qualify for the UWCT Final set to take place on parts of the legendary Liege-Bastogne-Liege course in Belgium, Sept. 10-11, 2011. The Grand Fondo New York will provide a dramatic backdrop for the first American qualifying event: after the start close to Central Park, riders will cross the iconic George Washington Bridge with stunning views of Manhattan. The Echelon Gran Fondo Colorado, which will be held August 20 in Fort Collins and contested by age group, will take riders over a demanding, but beautiful route to the Rist Canyon.

All qualifier events will be contested over a course of between 100 and 180 km. Organizers have the opportunity to opt for either a one-loop stage or a smaller circuit to be covered several times. The start may be given en masse or by age group. Time trial events will also take place in some qualifiers, covering distances between 20 and 40 km.

The confirmed qualifier events for 2011 are as follows:

• April 14 and 16: Perth (Australia)

• May 8: Gran Fondo New York (USA)

• May 15: Gran Fondo Eddy Merckx - Village Palmela (Portugal)

• June 12: Marathon Franja BTC (Slovenia) • June 18: Gran Fondo Eddy Merckx (Belgium) • August 20 and 21: Echelon Gran Fondo Colorado / Fort Collins (USA) • August 28: Gruyère Cycling Tour (SUI)