Colorado has a rich history of international bike racing, with a legacy that dates back to the 1970s and '80s when the Red Zinger, which later became the Coors Classic, drew the world’s biggest names in cycling to the Mountain State. The likes of Bernard Hinault, Greg LeMond, and Davis Phinney all claimed victory here. The race is considered by many to be the best bike race ever held on U.S. soil and was, in the 1980s, among the biggest in the world.
When the Coors Classic ended in 1988 after 14 editions, several organisers tried to recreate the fandom, popularity and prestige of that race. There was the USA Pro Challenge, which ran between 2011 and 2015, and the Colorado Classic, which took place from 2017 to 2019. All events ultimately ended due to a lack of funding. Now, a new race organiser promises to build on Colorado’s storied cycling legacy and bring back top-tier international racing to the Centennial State.
