First-ever Colorado Classic returns professional bike racing to state Aug. 10-13 in format intended to re-invent the sport
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The Colorado Classic will re-introduce professional bike racing to the state and re-invent the sport while showcasing Colorado and its commitment to being the country’s premier cycling destination, Gov. John Hickenlooper and officials and teams associated with the inaugural race said during a kickoff press conference Wednesday.
“Over the next four days, a world-class field of men and women pro cyclists will race through this great state in front of cheering crowds of residents and visitors,” Hickenlooper said.
“The enthusiasm for cycling has its roots in Colorado’s historic love for the sport, which dates back to the Red Zinger, the Coors Classic and the USA Pro Challenge. It also owes to the incredible cycling opportunities and options that exist here. We know Colorado is a premier bicycling destination due to its natural beauty, variety of terrain, and notable bike rides and races — and we look forward to the Colorado Classic helping us spread the word.”
Pro cyclists in the inaugural Colorado Classic men’s race will cover 313 miles (503.5 km) and endure more than 20,000 feet of intense, high-altitude climbing in the following four stages that showcase the state’s incredible terrain:
Stage 1: Colorado Springs (Thursday, August 10) Presented by United Healthcare
Stage 2: Breckenridge (Friday, August 11) Presented by Helix
Stage 3: Denver / Peak to Peak Hwy out-and-back: (Saturday, August 12) Presented by Drink RiNo
Stage 4: Denver city circuit (Sunday, August 13) Presented by Centura Health
“Our team has been riding well, and we had an incredible performance at the Tour,” said Rigoberto Uran (Cannondale-Drapac), the runner-up in the 2017 Tour de France. “We hope to continue that in front of Colorado fans and are looking forward to this new approach to racing.”
Women’s stages of the Colorado Classic will be held Aug. 10-11 in Colorado Springs and Breckenridge, respectively. (Separate women’s criterium races featuring pro, amateur and collegiate riders will be held Aug. 11 and 12 in Denver).
“I am very happy to be racing back in Colorado and I know my team is, too. We had a lot of fun two years ago here during the Pro Challenge and were bummed to learn the race wasn’t going to be around for 2016. We are very happy racing is back and we are looking forward to two very intense days of racing in Colorado Springs and Breckenridge,” said Allie Dragoo (Sho-Air Twenty20), winner of July’s Cascade Cycling Classic.
“In planning this race, we want to build on Colorado’s cycling history and to create a party that is more relevant to today’s world and can survive for years to come,” said Ken Gart, Chairman of RPM Events Group, the organization formed to put on the race. “RPM Events’ goal is to create a new economic model for pro cycling in America. It’s ambitious — but Colorado and Coloradans have always relished the idea of being pioneers and innovators.”
The Colorado Classic race routes will test the field and create new and unique experiences for spectators over the race’s four-day run, August 10-13. Courses start and finish from the same location — as opposed to point-to-point races — and stages 1, 2 and 4 are “circuits” featuring multiple laps on challenging courses. As such, the Colorado Classic promises repeated opportunities for fans to see the riders and racing action up close.
The Colorado Classic is sanctioned by Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and designated as a 2.HC race, which is the highest category outside of World Tour races. The Colorado Classic is also part of the USA Cycling Pro Road Tour, which showcases the premier domestic road events in the United States.
The first edition of the Colorado Classic will include 96 of the sport’s top men and 84 of the best women pro cyclists. With a total field of 16 men’s and 15 women’s teams, the return of pro cycling to the Centennial State is set up for a high-energy week of racing.
The race will be televised domestically on NBCSN, internationally on Eurosport 1 where it will reach 160 million HHs in 70 countries, and live streamed on NBC Sports Gold — NBC Sports Digital’s live streaming direct-to-consumer subscription app. Paul Sherwen will call the action on NBCSN and NBC Sports Gold, joined by analyst Christian Vande Velde and reporter Bob Roll.
“Coloradans have a history of turning out for and supporting pro cycling, and are eager to get out and show that off to the riders and the sport in general,” said Derek Bouchard-Hall, President & CEO of USA Cycling, “The Colorado Classic intends to not just replicate the success of previous events, but to move us into an exciting and engaging new direction, and we can’t wait to watch.”
After Friday’s second stage over a grueling course in Breckenridge, the action moves to Denver for a celebration of cycling, music and Colorado craft culture dubbed Velorama Colorado.
Velorama Colorado is a first-of-its-kind entertainment experience that is part bike race and celebration of bicycle culture, part music festival, part craft-goods marketplace, and entirely entertaining.
From Aug. 11-13, Velorama Colorado will feature some of the world’s best cyclists racing in the Denver stages of the Colorado Classic; national music acts including Wilco, Death Cab for Cutie, Old 97’s and the Jayhawks; and hundreds of vendors in a festival marketplace that includes a Bike & Lifestyle Expo and is anchored by a Super Denver Flea and the independent craft makers of beer, cider and wine from the Drink RiNo group.
Daily Velorama Colorado tickets are on sale at www.VeloramaColorado.com or through AXS for $45 each and $50 on the day of show. Three-day passes are available for $90, as well as other ticket packages and a VIP Experience.
