by OnSight | Aug 2017 | BIkes, Colorado Classic
Pro cyclists in the inaugural Colorado Classic men’s race covered 313 miles (503.5 km) and endured more than 20,000 feet of intense, high-altitude climbing. The event marked the return of pro cycling to the state in a format intended to broaden the sport’s appeal by featuring circuits that provided repeated opportunities for fans to see the riders and racing action up close. For stages 3 and 4 in Denver, the race was included in a three-day festival and marketplace in the River North Art District dubbed Velorama.
“We’ve hosted tens of thousands of cycling and music fans this weekend in Denver, with many more on the road throughout the past four days. It’s been a great first year and we’re looking forward to capitalizing on our momentum,” said David Koff, CEO of RPM Events Group, the organization formed to put on the race and and accompanying Velorama Festival.
Golden’s Alex Howes (Cannondale-Drapac), who finished third overall, welcomed the race’s emphasis on re-inventing the bike race.
“Even though I’m disappointed in my finish, I think it was exciting,” he said. “Maybe we need to take a lesson from roller derby … we need to get people revved! Hopefully they show up in 2018.”
RPM Events Group Chairman Ken Gart said organizers are planning for a second year and intend to learn from both their successes and their failures.
“The fundamental concept of marrying a music festival to a bike race and broader community celebration was very successful,” he said. “We heard from fans and vendors that they were thrilled. We had some problems, but that comes with every first-year event, so overall we’re thrilled.”
Race director Jim Birrell had a similar assessment.
“The format that Ken and RPM came up with lends itself to a better spectator experience, better community experience and a better sponsor experience. It’s a better opportunity to see the riders – to be able to cheer riders on to finish line,” he said.
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 included 96 of the sport’s top men and 84 of the best women pro cyclists. A field of 16 men’s teams and 15 women’s teams competed in the return of pro cycling to the Centennial State.
by OnSight | Jun 2017 | BIkes, Colorado Classic
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 four stages that showcase the state’s incredible terrain and enhance viewing and entertainment options for fans, race organizers announced today.
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 up close over the course of the event.
“Each course will give fans numerous opportunities in a single day to see the sport’s top riders,” said David Koff, CEO of RPM Events Group, the organization formed to put on the race. “And the start-finish areas are being built to be magnets of activity before, during, and after each race. Our goal is to have you come out for one experience, and to stick around for many, many more.”
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.
Stage one will cover a total of 93.5 miles (150.4 km) as riders push the pace for six laps on a 15.58-mile (25.1 km) course in the shadow of Pikes Peak, running between downtown Colorado Springs and the sandstone formations of the city’s iconic Garden of the Gods. Links: Stage 1 Map | Stage 1 Elevation Profile
Stage two will be a test of endurance and willpower over 64 miles (103 km) in the scenic mining town of Breckenridge. During 10 laps on the 6.4-mile (10.3 km) course, riders will face more than 7,000 feet of climbing, including multiple, leg-crushing runs up the notorious Moonstone climb — and the subsequent thrilling descents down Illinois Gulch. Links: Stage 2 Map | Stage 2 Elevation Profile
The action moves to Denver for the stages 3 and 4 of the men’s race, as the Colorado Classic anchors the first-ever Velorama Festival: a 3-day bike, music, and craft festival in the city’s RiNo Art District. From August 11-13, Velorama will feature musical acts; some of the world’s best cyclists competing in the final two stages of the Colorado Classic; and hundreds of vendors in a festival marketplace that includes a Bike and Lifestyle Expo and is anchored by the Denver Flea and the independent craft makers of beer, cider and wine in the Drink RiNo group.
Stage three will be contested on an 81-mile (130 km) out-and-back course that runs from the RiNo race hub to the mountains west of Denver on the Peak to Peak Highway, and then returns to the Mile High City through scenic Golden Gate Canyon State Park and via what is expected to be a finishing sprint through the streets of Denver, with speeds approaching 60 mph. Among the day’s highlights will be race action on Gap Road in the foothills west of Denver. On that stretch, riders will face the toughest part of the course, or King of the Mountain (KOM) section, and dirt roads with steep, rolling hills. Links: Stage 3 Map | Stage 3 Elevation Profile
Stage four will once again highlight the start-and-finish area within the Velorama Festival grounds and send riders on a 7.5-mile (12km) city circuit that stretches from RiNo to City Park and back. Riders will do 10 laps in the final stage, for a total of 74.6 miles (120.1 km) on what is expected to be a thrilling, intense, and colorful final day of racing. Links: Stage 4 Map | Stage 4 Elevation Profile
The four-day race will be televised on NBCSN and live streamed on NBC Sports Gold — NBC Sports Digital’s live streaming direct-to-consumer subscription app. Paul Sherwen will call the action, joined by analyst Christian Vande Velde and reporter Bob Roll.
The two stages of the women’s Colorado Classic will be conducted on similar courses to stages 1 & 2 of the men’s course.
Stage one of the women’s race will cover 38.36 miles (61.7 km) over multiple laps in Colorado Springs, and will send a field of the best women cyclists through the Garden of the Gods. Links: Stage 1 Women’s Map | Stage 1 Women’s Elevation Profile
The second and final stage will cover 32 miles (51.5 km) over five laps on the Breckenridge course, with riders conquering Moonstone hill over and over again. Links: Stage 2 Women’s Map | Stage 2 Women’s Elevation Profile
The Denver start-finish area is within the ticketed Velorama Festival grounds and will provide incredible vantage points for catching the race action. Wilco, Death Cab for Cutie, Old 97’s and the Jayhawks will headline three rockin’ days of music with tickets, which also provide access to the race start-finish line and the festival marketplace, available online at VeloramaColorado.com.
No admission is being charged to the start-finish areas in Colorado Springs and Breckenridge, and cycling fans will find countless areas to cheer on racers for free from alongside the courses in all four stages. For additional information, visit: ColoradoClassic.com
by OnSight | May 2017 | BIkes, Colorado Classic
Men’s stages planned Aug. 10-13 in Colorado Springs, Breckenridge and Denver
DENVER — The return of men’s pro cycling to Colorado will feature more than 14 of the sport’s top international and domestic pro teams, officials with the Colorado Classic announced today.
Additional squads will be added in coming weeks to bring the field to between 16 and 18 teams, organizers said.
“‘We are excited to have such a competitive field — including four World Tour teams — for the inaugural Colorado Classic,” said David Koff, CEO of RPM Events Group, the organization formed to put on the race. “With increased demands on teams dictated by a crowded international calendar, we are extremely grateful to the committed teams. The quality of the field once again validates Colorado as a world-class cycling destination.”
The August 10-13 Colorado Classic will feature some of the sport’s top squads. To date, invitations have been accepted by:
UCI World Teams
BMC Racing Team USA
Cannondale Drapac Professional Cycling Team USA
Trek-Segafredo USA
UAE Team Emirates UAE
UCI Professional Continental Teams
Caja Rural-Seguros RGA ESP
Israel Cycling Academy ISR
Nippo-Vini Fantini ITA
Team Novo Nordisk USA
UnitedHealthcare Professional Cycling Team USA
UCI Continental Teams
Axeon Hagens Berman USA
Elevate – KHS USA
Holowesko/Citadel Racing p/b Hincapie Sportswear USA
Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis USA
Rally Cycling USA
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 men’s race will cover roughly 300 miles over 4 stages:
Stage 1: Colorado Springs (Thursday, August 10)
Stage 2: Breckenridge (Friday, August 11)
Stage 3: Denver / Peak to Peak Hwy out-and-back: (Saturday, August 12)
Stage 4: Denver city circuit (Sunday, August 13)
“Drawing a high-caliber field to Colorado is helped by the state’s deep history with bike racing, the quality of courses and the passion of cycling fans,” said Race Director Jim Birrell. “The Colorado Classic is building on that to create a race that will be memorable for spectators and teams alike.”
Women’s stages of the Colorado Classic will be held Aug. 10-11 in Colorado Springs and Breckenridge, respectively. Teams for that event were announcedlast month. (Separate women’s criterium races featuring pro, amateur and collegiate riders will be held Aug. 11 and 12 in Denver).
The race will be televised on NBCSN 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.
Details on course routes, additional teams and men’s and women’s riders will be provided later this spring.
For additional information, visit: www.ColoradoClassic.com
by OnSight | Apr 2017 | BIkes, Colorado Classic
Officials with the Colorado Classic announced today that women’s stages of pro cycling’s return to the Centennial State will feature at least a dozen of the sport’s top teams.
“Our goal is to build one of the sport’s premier events for pro women and men, and the caliber of these teams puts us well on our way,” said David Koff, CEO or RPM Events Group, the organization formed to put on the Colorado Classic.
Sanctioned by USA Cycling, the Colorado Classic will feature some of the sport’s top squads. To date, officials have secured 12 women’s teams — (*) indicates UCI registered women’s team:
The men’s Colorado Classic will be held Aug. 10-13, while the two stages of the women’s Colorado Classic will be Thursday, Aug. 10 in Colorado Springs and Friday, Aug. 11 in Breckenridge (separate women’s criterium races featuring pro, amateur, and collegiate riders will be held Aug. 11 and 12 in Denver).
“Colorado has a tremendous legacy for hosting world-class women’s cycling that dates back to the ‘80s,” said Women’s Race Director Sean Petty and UCI Road Commission member. “The strong response we’ve received from the top U.S. women’s teams honors that legacy and we expect great racing from some of the best riders in the world.”
The men’s and women’s stages of the Colorado Classic are part of the USA Cycling Pro Road Tour, which showcases the premier domestic road events in the United States.
Details on individual riders, men’s teams and courses will be provided later this spring.
by OnSight | Jan 2017 | BIkes, Colorado Classic, USA Pro Cycling, Velorama
RPM Events Group announced today that professional bicycle racing will return to the Centennial State as the inaugural Colorado Classic rolls through Colorado Springs, Breckenridge, and Denver for four exciting and entertaining days this summer.
From Aug. 10-13, a world-class and international field of professional, men cyclists will race more than 300 miles in multiple, fan-friendly circuits, combining the exciting elements of each day’s start and finish into the same location. The Colorado Classic will also feature two days of professional women’s cycling, beginning in Colorado Springs on Aug. 10 and concluding the following night with a women’s-only event under the lights in Denver.
“From the Red Zinger Bicycle Classic, to the Coors Classic and on to the USA Pro Challenge, professional bike racing has become a part of our identity in Colorado. I can’t wait to once again show off this wonderful state to the world during the Colorado Classic,” said Ken Gart, Chairman of RPM Events Group, the organization formed to put on the race. “The Colorado Classic is being developed to appeal not just to cycling fans, but a wide array of Coloradans and visitors to the state.”
The schedule for the four-day stage race:
Aug. 10 — Stage One: Colorado Springs (men and women)
Aug. 11 — Stage Two: Breckenridge (men)
Aug. 11 — Denver circuit race (women)
Aug. 12 — Stage Three: Denver, start and finish RiNo Art District (men)
Aug. 13 — Stage Four: Denver, start and finish RiNo Art District (men) and closing festivities
“I raced in Colorado in 1977 for the first time in the race known as the Red Zinger which grew into one of the biggest bike races in the world. Now 40 years later, I’m excited to see Colorado once again leading the way forward for men’s and women’s pro racing,” said Connie Carpenter Phinney of Boulder, who won the first-ever gold medal in a women’s Olympic road race.
Each day of the Colorado Classic will showcase an interactive start/finish area; and the daily routes will combine downtown circuits of each city with the beauty of Colorado’s legendary terrain and landmarks.
The inaugural Colorado Classic, designated a 2.HC race by Union Cycliste Internationale (Aigle, Switzerland), will host 18 world-class, domestic and international teams, comprised of 6-riders each. The women’s field expects some of the top professional cyclists in the U.S.
“Coloradans love pro bike racing,” said Derek Bouchard-Hall, President & CEO of USA Cycling, “and we’re extremely pleased that the Colorado Classic will continue the state’s proud tradition with both men’s and women’s events.”
The Denver portions of the race will feature a companion festival of national music acts, a marketplace and much more. Details on those plans will be released in the coming weeks.
“We’re very excited to see professional cycling return to Denver and Colorado, and proud that our great city will play host to a lively and fun-filled event,” Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock said. “Previous major races have been great showcases for the city and state, and we have no doubt the Colorado Classic will build upon that history, delivering an epic event for everyone.”
Said David Koff, CEO of RPM Events Group: “This really is a broad-based community event. The Colorado Classic wouldn’t be happening this year without the phenomenal work and support of Gov. John Hickenlooper, the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, and our community partners in Colorado Springs, Breckenridge and Denver.”
To sign up for additional information, visit: ColoradoClassic.com
