On Saturday, July 12, the Pintler Classic Road Race revives the opening stage of the Ecology Center Classic — the pro stage race that attracted national-level talent in the early 2000s — with a legendary course that screams Montana.

Starting in Philipsburg, racers will roll along the foothills of the Pintler Mountains, tackle a dirt sector on Rock Creek Road, and climb back up to sweeping views of the Anaconda Range before dropping back down into Philipsburg.  To maximize rider and volunteer safety, this year the race will finish on Airport Rd just before Zane Murfitt Park (within spitting distance of the start) rather than in the town of Philipsburg. We anticipate 2 laps for higher categories (category 3 and above) and 1 lap for novices, juniors, and masters (subject to change at directors' discretion pending field sizes and weather).

Neutral feed zone for all racers at mile 25.9, and again for 2-lap racers at mile 66.5. We anticipate being able to provide neutral feed thanks to volunteer help.

> > > The dirt: We receive many questions on the dirt sector on Rock Creek Road. This is *not* a gravel race. The course was run exactly as it is today in the 1990s and early 2000s when racers were on 23c tires max. The county typically grades and compacts Rock Creek Road in early July, and it was in excellent condition last year. That said, we can make no promises as to its condition. The ideal race bike is probably a road bike with 30c tubeless tires, but every cyclist and every setup is different.