The Colorado Stage International Cycle Classic is a tremendous opportunity for avid cyclists and race fans alike to see some of the world’s top racers and teams compete in the rarified air of the Colorado high country.
Rated a UCI 2.1 event in its inaugural year, the Colorado Stage will feature top Pro Tour teams, National teams and Pro Continental and Continental teams, competing in a trio of races during the weekend, including a road race, a circuit race and an individual time trail. The Colorado Stage will also feature a citizen’s ride and major cycling and health expo as part of the overall festivities.
For race fans, the inaugural Colorado Stage also represents a rare opportunity to see competitors of this caliber in the United States. In addition to the Colorado Stage, there are only three other chances to see top international riders compete in this country: the Tour of California, the Tour de Georgia and the Tour of Missouri.
The Colorado Stage International Cycle Classic is most certainly among the highest altitude stage races in the world, with almost 13,000 feet of vertical gain during the course of the three stages and 11,524-foot Hoosier Pass summit marking the high point of the opening road race stage.
Finally, the Colorado Stage will mark the end of a 20-year hiatus for Colorado race fans as the 1988 Coors Classic was the last time a field of this caliber competed in the state. Many of the great names in road racing have competed on the streets of Vail, courtesy of the Coors Classic, including five-time Tour de France winner Bernard Hinault, three-time Tour champion Greg Lemond, Giro d’Italia winner Andy Hampsten and Olympic bronze medalist Davis Phinney.
