Bentonville Hosts First USA Cycling Paracycling Road National Championships

Athletes and their guides raced through the streets, with teamwork key to the winners

Apr. 12, 2026 at 3:54am

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting in bold primary colors depicting the motion and collaboration of a paracycling race, with no recognizable faces or logos.The geometric, cubist-inspired illustration captures the dynamic energy and teamwork of the paracycling competition in Bentonville.Bentonville Today

Bentonville, Arkansas hosted the USA Cycling Paracycling Road National Championships for the first time, bringing elite adaptive cyclists and their guides to compete for national titles. The event featured close coordination between athletes and their pilots, with communication and teamwork being central to success on the course.

Why it matters

The Paracycling Road National Championships is one of the most exclusive adaptive cycling events in the country, serving as a key step for athletes hoping to qualify for the Paracycling Road World Championships. Hosting the event for the first time highlights Bentonville's growing reputation as a hub for inclusive sports and outdoor recreation.

The details

Paracyclists and their guides raced through the streets of Bentonville on April 11, with athletes like Owen Cravens competing alongside a guide on a tandem bike. Communication and coordination between the cyclist and pilot was constant, as the guide managed steering and braking. Bentonville native Devon Gulati, who has known Cravens for years, said the race taking place in Cravens' hometown was a 'full circle' moment.

  • The USA Cycling Paracycling Road National Championships took place on April 11, 2026.
  • It was the first time the event had been held in Bentonville.

The players

Owen Cravens

A paracyclist who competes alongside a guide on a tandem bike. Cravens was diagnosed with a rare form of macular degeneration called Stargardt's when he was 10 years old, leaving him with only peripheral vision.

William Seitz

The guide, or 'pilot', who rides on the front of the tandem bike with Cravens. Seitz is responsible for steering and braking during the race, with constant communication between the two.

Devon Gulati

A Bentonville native who has known Cravens for years. Gulati said the race taking place in Cravens' hometown was a 'full circle' moment for their relationship, which began through film.

USA Cycling

The national governing body for bicycle racing in the United States, which organized the Paracycling Road National Championships event in Bentonville.

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What they’re saying

“'I was diagnosed with a rare form of macular degeneration called Stargardt's when I was 10 years old. I don't have any central vision, so I just have peripheral vision. It's similar to age-related macular degeneration, but I experienced it as a youth.'”

— Owen Cravens, Paracyclist

“'We have to communicate a lot, mainly verbally. It's very inspiring. I've learned a lot about what it takes to really work together.'”

— William Seitz, Guide/Pilot

“'It's a story that encompasses a lot of people's struggles right now and what they're going through. It inspires others to understand that you can still do amazing things, still have a fulfilling life, and still accomplish greatness.'”

— Devon Gulati, Bentonville Resident

What’s next

The winners of the USA Cycling Paracycling Road National Championships will now look to qualify for the Paracycling Road World Championships, a key international competition for adaptive cyclists.

The takeaway

Bentonville's hosting of the USA Cycling Paracycling Road National Championships highlights the city's growing reputation as a hub for inclusive sports and outdoor recreation, providing a platform for elite adaptive athletes to compete at the highest level.