# DerbyWheel CEO increases commitment to US racing series

*By Simon | June 26, 2025*

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![Screenshot](https://globalkeirin.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/06/stadio-track.jpg)

## 󠀁[DerbyWheel CEO increases commitment to US racing series](https://globalkeirin.com/2025/06/derbywheel-ceo-increases-commitment-to-us-racing-series/)󠁿

26 June 2025

DerbyWheel’s James Pope is to extend his engagement with StadioBike, a separate
initiative to bring bike racing events to US motorsport circuits.

StadioBike
[announced](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/stadiobike_bicycleracing-motorsports-cycling-activity-7343593839657394176-vp0D?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAAYyQABB9_sFQGDau1EmKOxKdGQ0iwFiCU)
that Pope would be joining its ownership team, along with former pro cyclist
Kristin Labonte. He had previously been engaged with StadioBike as an advisor.

The StadioBike concept appears to have evolved in recent months. Previously
described as an event based out of Las Vegas, it now proposes ‘non-stop
action-packed stadium sport at iconic motorsports tracks _(plural – ed)_ across
America.

‘StadioBike will officially hold its inaugural race in 2026 and a nation-wide
race series in 2027 that culminates in a series championship.’

Racing will take place between touring elite riders and local teams: the
[StadioBike website suggests](https://www.stadiobike.com/what-is-stadiobike)
that entry will be open to anyone, with the fastest 33 teams across a team time
trial and one-lap team sprint qualifying for the main event. The competition
between local heroes and visiting professionals will be a core ingredient of the
experience.

Teams will be required to swap riders in and out during races, adding new
dimensions of jeopardy and gameplay to the dash for the line.

“Transforming bike racing into a stadium sport with high-stakes action and
dynamic storytelling is exactly the kind of innovation our industry needs” says
Pope in a StadioBike
[press release](https://www.bicycleretailer.com/announcements/2025/06/25/stadiobike-welcomes-kristin-labonte-and-james-pope-ownership-team)
. “I’m excited to join the team and help shape this bold new chapter in
competitive cycling.”

StadioBike promises identical prize money for men’s and women’s races, although
no numbers have yet been published.

There is nothing in Pope’s LinkedIn post to suggest this increased commitment to
StadioBike is at the expense of DerbyWheel. Both projects were on the
[to-do list](https://globalkeirin.com/2025/03/work-continues-on-derbywheel-says-ceo/)
he published earlier this year.

**Categories:** Original