DENVER, JANUARY 15, 2020 - In an effort to continue supporting the development of women’s cycling in the US, the Colorado Classic® presented by VF Corporation today announced that it will reserve one team invitation to its world-class stage race for the top-ranked domestic elite team in USA Cycling’s Pro Road Tour as of June 1, 2020.
“The Colorado Classic’s decision to invite the top Domestic Elite Women’s Team provides a unique opportunity for developing teams to battle it out for a spot at one of America’s most exciting pro races, while showcasing women’s professional racing and USA Cycling Pro Road Tour,” said Chuck Hodge, USA Cycling’s Chief of Racing & Events.
The Colorado Classic made a successful debut as an all-women’s professional stage race in 2019, offering unprecedented financial support, challenging courses, world-class competition, global exposure and start-to-finish live TV coverage. The four-day stage race will be back this summer on August 27-30, 2020.
With a 2.1 classification by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the Colorado Classic is the only women’s standalone UCI stage race in North America, and a participating event in USA Cycling’s Pro Road Tour.
Last year’s race saw participation from around the globe, including world-class teams such as Canyon-SRAM, Cogeas - Mettler Pro Cycling Team, Rally UHC Cycling and Team Tibco. For 2020, the race organizers have 16 team invitations to extend, one of which they’re reserving for the domestic elite team that leads USA Cycling’s Pro Road Tour after the first eight races, and hasn’t already received an invitation.
In a partnership with USA Cycling, the Colorado Classic hopes to provide an opportunity for developing riders to showcase themselves against some of the sport’s biggest teams and riders.
“We anticipate having an even stronger international, world-class field of teams and riders this year. However, we want to continue to support the development of women’s racing in the U.S. and look forward to providing a domestic elite team the great opportunity to showcase their riders and sponsors in a race that will be streamed online around the world,” said Sean Petty, Colorado Classic Race Director.
This incentive is part of Colorado Classic’s greater aim to be more than a race, and act as a movement to inspire women, challenge and redefine female professional cycling, and ultimately, empower women of all ages to break the mold, and fight for their goals.
To learn more about the Colorado Classic, visit coloradoclassic.com or follow @coloradoclassicpro on Instagram and Facebook.
