Colorado Classic Bike Race Announces Initial Lineup of Top Pro Women’s Teams

Expanded, four-stage women’s race runs August 16-19, in Vail and Denver

DENVER—At least 14 of pro cycling’s top women’s teams will compete in the newly expanded Colorado Classic in August, race officials announced today.

The second annual Colorado Classic will showcase women’s cycling by doubling the number of stages for female competitors in 2018, expanding from two to four stages with courses similar to the men’s race.

The effort to advance women’s racing is already paying dividends by attracting teams that include some of the fastest women in the sport.

“We’re building one of the premier pro cycling events in North America for women as well as men, and the caliber of this year’s women’s teams – coupled with expanding from two to four stages – is an important step in the process,” said David Koff, CEO of RPM Events Group, the organization that puts on the Colorado Classic.

The women’s Colorado Classic will once again feature some of the sport’s top squads. To date, officials have secured 14 women’s teams including Rally Cycling, whose Sara Poidevin dominated the Colorado Classic in 2017:

• Rally Cycling* (USA)
• UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team* (USA)
• Twenty20 presented by Sho-Air* (USA)
• Hagens Berman / Supermint* (USA)
• ALP Cycles Women’s Racing Team (USA, Colorado based)
• Amy D. Foundation – (USA, Colorado based)
• CONADE-Specialized-Visit Mexico Pro Cycling Team (MEX)
• Fearless Femme (USA)
• Orion Racing(USA)
• Palmares (USA, Colorado based)
• Point S Auto / Nokian Tyres (USA)
• QCW Cycling Team (USA)
• Stages Cycling Team (USA, Colorado based)
• Team Affinity (USA, Colorado based)

* Indicates UCI registered women’s team

The women’s Colorado Classic will be held in conjunction with men’s racing over the course of four days, beginning in Vail on August 16 with a circuit race through Vail Village, followed by a time trial up Vail Pass. When the Classic moves to Denver on August 18, the women will race a dynamic criterium around the Velorama Festival, followed by a final circuit race through the RiNo Art District and downtown Denver to City Park on Aug. 19.

The four-stage women’s race will cover:

Stage 1: Vail Village Circuit (Thursday, August 16)
Stage 2: Vail Pass Time Trial (Friday, August 17)
Stage 3: Denver Criterium (Saturday, August 18)
Stage 4: Denver City Park Circuit (Sunday, August 19)

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.

“Colorado has a tremendous legacy for hosting world-class women’s cycling that dates back to the ‘80s, and we’re building on that this year with the expanded women’s race and a great field,” said Women’s Race Director and UCI Road Commission member Sean Petty. “The strong response we’ve received from the top U.S. women’s teams honors that legacy, and we expect incredible racing from some of the best riders in the world.”

RPM Events Group, organizer of the race, is committed to advancing women’s racing and empowering women through cycling by investing significant resources in expanding the race, routes, video and streaming recap coverage and fan engagement for women. Additional resources for expanding the women’s race were supplied in part by Antero Resources, an independent exploration and production company headquartered in Denver, and a sponsor of the Colorado Classic women’s race.

“As avid cyclists ourselves, we understand the power of cycling to transform lives,” said Paul Rady, founder, Chairman and CEO of Antero Resources. “We are proud to sponsor an expanded women’s race at the Colorado Classic and help create a more level playing field for women athletes everywhere.”

Last week, the race announced an international field of 15 of the top men’s pro cycling teams.

For more information, please visit www.ColoradoClassic.com.