Garrett Horner Races Baker City Cycling Classic
Cat 1 Upgrade Journey
Celebrating its 25th edition, the Baker City Cycling Classic continues a rich legacy that began as the original Elkhorn Classic. For a quarter century, the event has challenged elite racers with demanding courses, unforgettable mountain finishes, and some of the best stage racing in the Pacific Northwest.
For Garrett Horner (SoCalCycling.com Team), the 2026 edition is about more than just stage results. It’s a critical opportunity to earn valuable upgrade points in his quest to reach Category 1 before the end of the season. Throughout the weekend, Garrett takes viewers behind the scenes with race footage, insights from the peloton, and post-race analysis alongside his dad, Chris Horner, offering a unique look at the tactics, strategy, and challenges of elite amateur stage racing.
Watch Garrett’s video from Stage 1 – Catherine Creek Road Race as he takes viewers inside the action with on-bike footage before sitting down with Chris Horner to break down the race. Together, they analyze the key tactical moments, discuss what went right, identify areas for improvement, and explain the decisions that shaped the opening stage of Garrett’s Category 1 upgrade campaign where he finished an impressive 2nd place for the stage.
Four Stages of Classic Stage Racing
Stage 1 – Catherine Creek Road Race
The opening stage features the popular Catherine Creek Road Race with a modified start on Pocahontas Road. Riders face 78 miles of rolling terrain through Baker and Union Counties along portions of the scenic Grande Tour route, where positioning, teamwork, and race tactics play a critical role from the opening miles.
Stage 2 – Baker City Time Trial
The race against the clock includes a noticeable rolling climb before transitioning into a fast finish. With a slight downhill over the final miles, riders have the opportunity to push a big gear all the way to the line.
Stage 3 – Baker City Downtown Criterium
The downtown criterium showcases six wide, sweeping corners through historic Baker City. Fast, flat, and spectator-friendly, the race rewards technical skill and aggressive tactics. The Horner Cycling Foundation also sponsors the Junior Criterium, supporting the next generation of racers.
Stage 4 – Dooley Mountain Road Race
The finale is the legendary 101-mile Dooley Mountain Road Race, a European-style point-to-point race ending with the iconic summit finish atop Dooley Mountain. Every category races the same challenging course, making it one of the most demanding amateur stage race finales in the United States and a true test of endurance before the final podiums are decided.
Baker City Cycling Classic Results
Photos courtesy Garrett Horner
