Team Competition Returns for Natchaug Epic 

Quinebaug Cup Goes to Best Men’s and Women’s Teams

Riding with focus and organization, Team ROR NYC, won both the men’s and women’s divisions in the inaugural Quinebaug Cup competition. Photo: Paulo Lopes

Organizers will again feature the Quinebaug Cup team competition for the second year. The prize is awarded for the clubs who post an aggregate lowest time of all five timed sectors in the 84-mile Epic category of the Natchaug Epic Presented by Specialized.

“The men’s category is timed based on the fourth fastest time of each team over all five timed segments. For the women we go off the third fastest time,” explained Shaun Weigand, ride director for the 2025 edition set for Sunday, March 25. “A club might have several different riders in that key position. Given the gravel fondo format, this competition favors a club that is large and organized. It’s not about how fast you are; it’s how deep your bench runs.”

In the inaugural 2024 competition a single club, ROR NYC, won both the men’s and women’s competition.

Winners are recognized at the awards ceremony with a prized cup and baskets of prizes. For more details on the competition, see the Event Notes at www.bikereg.com/natchaug-epic.

The sixth edition of the Natchaug Epic Presented by Specialized will be held Sunday, March 23, at the Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park. Dubbed “The Quiet Hell,” this challenging event is the season opener of the New England unpaved calendar. Riders can select one of five different categories of varying distances and degrees of difficulty. A portion of the proceeds support The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, Best Buddies Connecticut, the Wyndham Land Trust, the Last Green Valley, and the Connecticut Cycling Advancement Program. For more information, visit www.bikereg.com/natchaug-epic