The new Tour of Colorado bicycle stage race is slated for September 2026, due to the efforts of British planning company Infinity Events. If everything goes to plan, the Tour of Colorado will be a huge development for American cycling.
Colorado’s last professional stage race was the Colorado Classic, which ran from 2017 to 2019. The Tour of California and Tour of Utah, both stage races in the same elite category, also made their previous appearances in 2019. Since these races ended, America has been void of professional bicycle stage racing.
A Return to Prominence?
In the 1970s, Colorado hosted the Red Zinger Bicycle Classic, which morphed into the Coors Classic in the 1990s. This event grew to 2 weeks long and was one of the most important races on the international calendar at the time. Bicycle racing fans in the U.S. have longed for the return of a major stage race on home soil.
The five-stage aims to satisfy, with Colorado’s challenging landscapes attracting the world’s top-tier teams and riders.
“We are very pleased to be developing the new Tour of Colorado stage race,” said Scott Taylor, Infinity Events Group Director, in a company statement. “The combination of Colorado’s rich history of cycle racing, the amazing scenery and the incredible support that past races have received provide the perfect foundation for us to create an exciting, world-class race with bold ambitions for the future.”
U.S. cyclists have consistently performed well in professional cycling’s WorldTour, but haven’t had the opportunity to race at home for years. The Tour of Colorado will provide that experience once again.
”It’s great news that a stage race will return to Colorado,” said Sepp Kuss, the 2023 Vuelta a España winner and a native of Durango, Colo. “I can’t wait for the peloton to experience the beauty of my home state. We have some tough and amazing climbs that will challenge the best riders. I hope the Tour of Colorado can inspire many to follow our sport more closely or, even better, start riding their bike themselves.”
Clearing Logistics
Holding a multiday bicycle road race on public roads requires managing a sea of logistics.
Race promoters must acquire permissions from a multitude of governing bodies. Closing roads and providing security and medical services across thousands of miles of roads is an incredible feat on its own. And professional cyclists already have a loaded seasonal calendar.
“We didn’t approach sponsors until we had the governor’s backing,” Taylor told The Denver Post. “The point of making the release is, we do want to start talking about what we’re trying to do, but it is all dependent upon getting the necessary commercial partners. We’re confident and we’re optimistic that the timing is good, but it all hinges on getting the financial backing in place.”
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis also expressed his support. “There is no better state to train and compete in than Colorado,” Polis said in a statement. “I am excited to watch the 2026 Tour of Colorado stage race, which gathers cyclists from across the world to compete at the highest level in the Rocky Mountains. This exciting event brings spectators from around the globe, bolstering Colorado’s outdoor recreation economy and highlighting why Colorado is the best state for all athletes.”
USA Cycling oversees competitive cycling in the United States. Brendan Quirk, USA Cycling President, added, “We are pleased to support Infinity Events Group’s proposal to bring a stage race back to Colorado. Their vision for The Tour of Colorado is exciting. It will be an inspirational event for the sport in the U.S. and will be an amazing opportunity for people to see some of the best cyclists in the world.”
To help elite cyclists and teams compete in the Colorado Classic, organizers scheduled it to align with a series of North American 1-day races in September, including the Maryland Cycling Classic and Grands Prix Québec and Montréal.
Colorado Classic official race dates and route information will be available before the end of 2025. The first edition will only include a men’s race, with a women’s event planned in the near future.
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