Colorado took the wrapper off its plans on Wednesday to host a week-long bicycle race next year entitled the Quizno's Pro Challenge.
Named for its sponsorship by the sandwich shop chain, the bike race is scheduled Aug. 22-28, 2011. It steps into the void left by the demise of the Tour of Missouri, which was unable to land a title sponsor during its short 3-year history.
Making the announcement were Lance Armstrong and Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter. Armstrong now makes his home in the Aspen area and has been lobbying Ritter for more than a year to host a bike race that would be a descendant of the famed Coors Classic.
Few details
There weren't many details about the bike race, which will be sanctioned by USA Cycling and the UCI.
VeloNews quoted former Coors Classic boss Michael Aisner that the race will either begin or end in Denver, and the Rocky Mountains will be a featured part of the race. The race is expected to include downtown crits as well as an individual time trial.
Medalist Sports will handle the logistics for the Quizno's Pro Challenge. It handles a number of events, including the Amgen Tour of California and the now-defunct Tour of Missouri.
The Coors Classic stage race ran from 1979 to 1988 and was one of the top bicycling races in the world. Winners include Greg Lemond (US), Bernard Hinault (France) and Raul Alcala (Mexico). Another of the winners, Davis Phinney, was present at Wednesday announcement.
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