Amaury Sports Organisation, the French company that operates the Tour de France, is “joining the Amazon Armed Forces Cycling Classic with an eye on growing the profile of the D.C. region’s premier cycling event,” according to Drew Hansen of the WASHINGTON BUSINESS JOURNAL. The groups announced that ASO will collaborate with Arlington Sports Inc., the nonprofit that has put on the event since 1998, to “evolve the race in the years ahead.” Officials “declined to share terms of the agreement, billing it as a partnership.” But ASO has “long wanted a larger presence in the U.S. market,” and the Armed Forces Cycling Classic stands to “gain some prestige and international interest” with the French company’s involvement, perhaps “ultimately bringing in elite competitors.” Armed Forces Cycling Classic officials said that ASO’s involvement is “akin” to F1 coming to the U.S. or NFL games in Europe. The 2026 Amazon Armed Forces Classic will be held May 30 and 31, and ASO representatives will be “on site throughout race weekend to experience the event and interact with athletes, partners and others involved as they look to evolve the race.” Arlington Sports Inc. posted $464,928 in revenue and $15,561 in net income for the FY ending in October 2024, according to its most recently available tax filing. The annual race “touts more than 500 local commercial partners” (WASHINGTON BUSINESS JOURNAL, 4/29).
ASO joins Amazon Armed Forces Cycling Classic to grow D.C. event
