On a quiet stretch of county-owned land once defined by grass and gravel and garbage, a ribbon of asphalt now loops, banks and swells in tight rhythmic curves — engineered not for pedaling, but for flow. Riders generate speed by pumping their bodies through rollers and berms, transforming momentum into motion without ever turning a crank. In September, that motion will carry Haywood County into the international spotlight. 

Haywood County’s newest recreational amenity will host the Velosolutions UCI Pump Track World Championships Qualifier on Sept. 12-13, placing Waynesville among a small group of American communities selected for the global series that feeds into the world final.

The event marks the first time Haywood will appear on a competition calendar that stretches across Europe, Asia, South America and North America in a coordinated championship pathway overseen by Swiss-based Velosolutions and the Union Cycliste Internationale.

“We’re one of four cities in the whole U.S. to have this event, so we’re hoping and expecting it to draw a huge crowd,” said Dillon Huffman, Haywood County’s public information officer.

The qualifier format follows strict international standards. According to the official guidelines for the 2026 series, elite riders complete two timed solo runs in a qualification round, with the faster time counting toward advancement. The top finishers then enter knockout heats that narrow the field through quarterfinals, semifinals and finals. The top four elite men and top four elite women at each qualifier earn spots at the world championships. The winning male and female riders receive a paid trip to the world final, which includes travel and accommodation for championship week.

Haywood’s event will be the final U.S. qualifier on the 2026 calendar, a strategic position that county officials believe could influence participation numbers. Riders who fall short at earlier stops often travel to multiple qualifiers seeking one final breakthrough. A last-chance opportunity in Western North Carolina could draw competitors who narrowly missed podium finishes elsewhere, or give qualifiers who’ve made strong runs a chance at free travel.

“We are the last competition in the U.S., and hopefully we’ll bring all of those riders here. So really good spot to be in,” said Elli Flagg, director of Haywood County Recreation and Parks.

Event structure virtually guarantees a multi-day presence in the county; official practice sessions precede race heats, and there are no alternate rain dates built into the schedule. If weather disrupts one portion of the weekend, race organizers must shift heats within the same timeframe rather than postpone the event.

That compressed schedule means athletes and their families are likely to arrive on or before Sept. 11 and remain through Sept. 14, even if racing concludes Saturday evening. Flagg is coordinating with Haywood’s Tourism Development Authority to estimate economic impact using attendance projections and geographic tracking data.

Before riders roll to the start box, the county must satisfy detailed operational obligations outlined in the series guidelines. Velosolutions provides the international race director and global timing partner, manages online registration and collects entry fees before transferring proceeds to the local organizer. The local organizer must provide event production infrastructure including sound systems, power supply, riders’ areas, registration facilities and event signage. Branding standards require specific number plates, track stickers, bracket walls and podium presentation elements.

Medical staffing requirements are explicit. A minimum four-person professional medical team — including at least one doctor and three paramedics — must be on site from the first official practice session through the final heat. A crisis management plan must be finalized in advance, and the nearest hospital must be notified prior to race weekend.

The  facility was constructed with limited direct taxpayer burden. Commissioners appropriated roughly $850,000 in excess interest earnings generated during a period of elevated rates, supplemented by a $500,000 matching grant from the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund and $100,000 from the North Carolina Trails Committee.

Huffman said the broad funding mix reflects community interest in expanding recreation infrastructure without placing additional strain on residents.

The 19-acre Raccoon Creek Bike Park site — a former landfill — was first envisioned as part of a broader recreation master plan. Early development included dirt features and trail work, before county leaders pursued a permanent asphalt pump track as the centerpiece amenity. Asphalt tracks require less reshaping and provide consistent riding surfaces suitable for sanctioned competition.

Natural terrain surrounding the track creates amphitheater-style viewing areas, with grassy hills on both sides capable of accommodating large crowds without extensive temporary seating structures. Additional fields provide overflow parking if attendance exceeds projections. Bathrooms, a pavilion and a playground round out the offerings.

The event is free and open to the public. Flagg envisions a picnic-style environment, where families can toss a blanket on the grass, bring a cooler (no alcohol) and cheer on racers.

“There’ll be plenty of room for a few hundred people,” Flagg said.

Beyond elite racing, the series allows local organizers to add youth and amateur categories to the race day. Recommended divisions include kids categories for riders under age 9 and under 11, youth divisions up through age 17 and masters categories for older competitors. Youth races typically use solo, timed runs, with finals added if the schedule permits. Combining divisions on the same day enhances atmosphere and encourages family participation.

The track is expected to open in mid-June and will remain open to the public outside official competition windows — and long after competitors have left. Officials emphasize that the facility serves not only elite athletes but also beginners seeking a safe and approachable riding environment. Unlike traditional mountain bike trails that demand technical skill and climbing endurance, pump tracks rarely require pedaling and reward balance and rhythm, making them accessible to younger riders and those new to cycling sports.

Recreation leaders view the qualifier as one component of a larger outdoor identity. Chestnut Mountain’s exceptional trail network, recreation along the Pigeon River and regional cycling clubs have positioned Haywood County as an emerging destination for riders of all skill levels.

Hosting a globally branded event signals that the county can support not only recreational use but also sanctioned competition.

Exposure extends beyond race day attendance. Velosolutions manages international promotion through official social media channels and event pages. Qualifier winners receive symbolic “winner tickets” during the awards ceremony. Images of podium celebrations circulate through global cycling networks, linking host communities with the broader championship narrative.

National exposure places Haywood County alongside established cycling destinations and reinforces a broader strategy centered on outdoor access, youth engagement and long-term tourism diversification. That exposure compounds locally.

Flagg said local businesses are encouraged to participate through after-race gatherings and partnerships that extend the experience beyond the track itself. Restaurants, breweries, retailers or other businesses may host visiting riders and families throughout the weekend, further embedding the event within the community — and the local economy.

“We’re just really excited for the exposure this brings to the area surrounding biking,” Flagg said.

Whether the qualifier becomes an annual benchmark or a singular milestone will depend on turnout, community engagement and measurable economic impact. Flagg plans to evaluate attendance data, hotel occupancy trends and visitor origin metrics, if possible.

Long after the final stopwatch reading is posted and elite riders depart for the world stage, the asphalt loop will remain carved into the hillside.

Brandon Rogers, a Haywood County commissioner who sits on the county’s recreation board and has advocated for the pump track, is pleased to see it already booked before it even opens.

“Since our focus has shifted to outdoor recreation, this was a huge project we worked on for years with little-to-no local tax dollars spent,” Rogers said. “Using strong partnerships, we paid for almost the whole thing. I give credit back to Elli and our grant writers.”

Pump track afterparty

As riders from across the United States — and their families — descend on Haywood County for the Velosolutions UCI Pump Track World Championships in September, local organizers are looking for businesses and community organizations who want to show off some of that Haywood County hospitality by hosting informal events, after-parties and the like. If you or your business would like to host a pre- or post-race event, contact Haywood County Recreation and Parks Director Elli Flagg at 828.452.6789 or elli.flagg@haywoodcountync.gov.