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New Colorado Classic draws 4 World Tour men’s cycling teams for August race

BMC Racing, Cannondale Drapac and Trek-Segafredo highlight a list of 14 (and counting) men’s professional cycing teams now confirmed for the Colorado Classic, a brand-new men’s and women’s cycling race scheduled to roll through Breckenridge on Friday, Aug. 11.

On May 24, Colorado Classic organizers announced the preliminary list of men’s teams for the four-day event. With four stages split between three venues, the men’s race marks the return of high-level pro road racing to Colorado after the USA Pro Challenge fizzled out in 2015. Along with the big boys on World Tour teams, additional men’s teams 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 men’s race will be held from Aug. 10-13, with four stages spread between Colorado Springs, Breckenridge and Denver for a total of 300 miles. Women’s stages will be held held Aug. 10-11 in Colorado Springs and Breckenridge, respectively. The 12 teams for the women’s events were announced in April and include Sho-Air Twenty20, UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team and two Colorado squads, Amy D. Foundation Team and Alp Cycles Women’s Racing Team. There will also be separate women’s criterium races featuring pro, amateur and collegiate riders in Denver Aug. 11 and Aug. 12, organizers said.

The men’s race will be televised on NBCSN and live streamed on NBC Sports Gold, which is 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 (and 2012 USA Pro Challenge overall winner) Christian Vande Velde and reporter Bob Roll.



To date, invitations have been accepted by the following men’s teams:

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. It is also part of the USA Cycling Pro Road Tour, which showcases the premier domestic road events in the United States for men and women.

“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,” race director Jim Birrell said. “The Colorado Classic is building on that to create a race that will be memorable for spectators and teams alike.”

Details on course routes, additional teams, and men’s and women’s riders will be provided later this spring.


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