Coors Classic
Encyclopedia
The Coors International Bicycle Classic (1980–1988) was a stage race sponsored by the Coors Brewing Company
. Coors was the race's second sponsor, the first, Celestial Seasonings, named the race after its premium tea Red Zinger, which began in 1975. Over the years, the event became America's national tour, listed as the fourth largest race in the world after the Tour de France
, Giro d'Italia
and Vuelta a España
. The race grew from 3 days of racing in its first years as the Red Zinger Bicycle Classic to 2 weeks in the later Coors Classic years. Race stages were held in Colorado in the early years expanding first from Boulder and Denver back to the Keystone ski resort, later adding Estes Park, Vail, Aspen and Grand Junction, before further expansion that included Wyoming, Nevada, California and Hawaii. All but the last year the race concluded with a short circuit in North Boulder Park. On August 4, 2010 Colorado governor Bill Ritter and cycling legend Lance Armstrong announced that they would revive stage racing in Colorado with the Quiznos Pro Challenge
. It will be an 8-day race to be held in August 2011.
herbal tea company, launched the Red Zinger Bicycle Classic
race to promote their new Red Zinger tea.
In 1979, Michael Aisner, the race's then PR
director, bought the race for one dollar from Siegel, and with his blessing took the idea of a grander event to Peter Coors, the beer impresario.
Over the next eight years, the Coors Classic grew into two weeks of racing in California
, Nevada
and Colorado
, with stages in some years in Hawaii
and Wyoming
. The race's legendary merchandise had custom annual graphics, sold in every state (and even Japan
and England
), generating $1 million in 1987 and $1.5 million in 1988 in sales to help support the race.
The Red Zinger and Coors Classic stage races showcased world-class men and women's cycling throughout the scenic terrain of Colorado, California, Nevada, Wyoming, and Hawaii. The race was considered the fourth biggest race on the world cycling calendar and was ground-breaking as the single biggest women's stage race ever held.
The Coors Classic launched the careers of some of the world's greatest cyclists and paved the way for the sport's growth in the U.S.
Coors Brewing Company
The Coors Brewing Company is a regional division of the world's fifth-largest brewing company, the Canadian Molson Coors Brewing Company and is the third-largest brewer in the United States...
. Coors was the race's second sponsor, the first, Celestial Seasonings, named the race after its premium tea Red Zinger, which began in 1975. Over the years, the event became America's national tour, listed as the fourth largest race in the world after the Tour de France
Tour de France
The Tour de France is an annual bicycle race held in France and nearby countries. First staged in 1903, the race covers more than and lasts three weeks. As the best known and most prestigious of cycling's three "Grand Tours", the Tour de France attracts riders and teams from around the world. The...
, Giro d'Italia
Giro d'Italia
The Giro d'Italia , also simply known as The Giro, is a long distance road bicycle racing stage race for professional cyclists held over three weeks in May/early June in and around Italy. The Giro is one of the three Grand Tours , and is part of the UCI World Ranking calendar...
and Vuelta a España
Vuelta a España
The Vuelta a España is a three-week road bicycle racing stage race that is one of the three "Grand Tours" of Europe and part of the UCI World Ranking calendar. The race lasts three weeks and attracts cyclists from around the world. The race is broken into day-long segments, called stages...
. The race grew from 3 days of racing in its first years as the Red Zinger Bicycle Classic to 2 weeks in the later Coors Classic years. Race stages were held in Colorado in the early years expanding first from Boulder and Denver back to the Keystone ski resort, later adding Estes Park, Vail, Aspen and Grand Junction, before further expansion that included Wyoming, Nevada, California and Hawaii. All but the last year the race concluded with a short circuit in North Boulder Park. On August 4, 2010 Colorado governor Bill Ritter and cycling legend Lance Armstrong announced that they would revive stage racing in Colorado with the Quiznos Pro Challenge
Quiznos Pro Challenge
USA Pro Cycling Challenge was announced on August 4, 2010 by Colorado governor Bill Ritter and Lance Armstrong under the original name of Quiznos Pro Challenge. USAPCC is a seven-day pro road bicycle racing stage race taking place in Colorado between August 22–28, 2011. It revives the Coors Classic...
. It will be an 8-day race to be held in August 2011.
History
In 1975, Mo Siegel and John and Wyck Hay, founders of the Celestial SeasoningsCelestial Seasonings
Celestial Seasonings is a tea company based in Boulder, Colorado, United States that specializes in herbal tea but also sells green, wellness, red, white, chai, holiday and black teas. They account for over $100,000,000 in herbal tea blends sales in the United States annually. All of their teas are...
herbal tea company, launched the Red Zinger Bicycle Classic
Red Zinger Bicycle Classic
The Red Zinger Bicycle Classic was a road bicycle racing stage race.-History:In 1975, Mo Siegel and John and Wyck Hay, founders of the Celestial Seasonings herbal tea company, launched the Red Zinger Bicycle Classic race to promote alternative transportation in the Greater Boulder area,...
race to promote their new Red Zinger tea.
In 1979, Michael Aisner, the race's then PR
Public relations
Public relations is the actions of a corporation, store, government, individual, etc., in promoting goodwill between itself and the public, the community, employees, customers, etc....
director, bought the race for one dollar from Siegel, and with his blessing took the idea of a grander event to Peter Coors, the beer impresario.
Over the next eight years, the Coors Classic grew into two weeks of racing in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
and Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
, with stages in some years in Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
and Wyoming
Wyoming
Wyoming is a state in the mountain region of the Western United States. The western two thirds of the state is covered mostly with the mountain ranges and rangelands in the foothills of the Eastern Rocky Mountains, while the eastern third of the state is high elevation prairie known as the High...
. The race's legendary merchandise had custom annual graphics, sold in every state (and even Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
and England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
), generating $1 million in 1987 and $1.5 million in 1988 in sales to help support the race.
The Red Zinger and Coors Classic stage races showcased world-class men and women's cycling throughout the scenic terrain of Colorado, California, Nevada, Wyoming, and Hawaii. The race was considered the fourth biggest race on the world cycling calendar and was ground-breaking as the single biggest women's stage race ever held.
The Coors Classic launched the careers of some of the world's greatest cyclists and paved the way for the sport's growth in the U.S.
Facts
- The Coors International Bicycle Classic had many storied stages, including the world-renowned Morgul-Bismarck circuit. The site of the Grand Junction, Colorado, road race, the Colorado National MonumentColorado National Monument- Trails :The Monument contains many hiking trails, with lengths and difficulties to suit all tastes. Summer storms can cause flash floods as well as dangerous trail conditions. Rattlesnakes are found on the Monument, and rough terrain exists everywhere, but most trails are well-maintained...
, was so exotic in appearance that the stage became known as "The Tour of the Moon" and was even featured in the Warner Brothers movie American FlyersAmerican FlyersAmerican Flyers is a 1985 film starring Kevin Costner, David Marshall Grant, Rae Dawn Chong, Alexandra Paul and Janice Rule about bicycle racing....
. One recurring stage near Snowmass, Colorado, was run up "Suicide Hill", a road so steep that it was heated in the winter. Races were run over mountains such as the Vail, Independence, and McClure Passes in Colorado. Popular recurring stages in California included San Francisco-area events such as a hill climb up to famed Coit Tower for a prologue and the Fisherman's Wharf Criterium and a road stage crossing the Sierra Nevada range. One year the race also started in Hawaii's Big Island in Hilo with a volcano circuit road race that had to be rerouted a month before the event when the perimeter road course was cut off by a lava flow from Kilauea. Another year a stage went from Wyoming's capitol to Colorado's capitol. The race finished every year but its last in North Boulder Park. - The Red Zinger/Coors Classic served as an inspiration for a youth bicycle road racing series in Colorado called the Red Zinger Mini ClassicsRed Zinger Mini ClassicsRed Zinger Mini Classics is a series of youth boys and girls road bicycle races held annually across the state of Colorado from 1981–1992, and revived again in 2010...
, which ran from 1981–1992, serving as a springboard for the development of several professional cyclists, including pro great Bobby JulichBobby JulichRobert Julich, most commonly referred to as Bobby Julich, is an American former professional road bicycle racer who last rode for Team CSC in the UCI ProTour racing series. He got his international breakthrough when he finished 3rd overall in the 1998 Tour de France race, but has since ridden...
.
Winners
| 1975 | John Howard John Howard John Winston Howard AC, SSI, was the 25th Prime Minister of Australia, from 11 March 1996 to 3 December 2007. He was the second-longest serving Australian Prime Minister after Sir Robert Menzies.... |
Hannah North | ||
| 1976 | John Howard John Howard John Winston Howard AC, SSI, was the 25th Prime Minister of Australia, from 11 March 1996 to 3 December 2007. He was the second-longest serving Australian Prime Minister after Sir Robert Menzies.... |
No women's race | ||
| 1977 | Wayne Stetina | Connie Carpenter | ||
| 1978 | George Mount George Mount George Lewis Mount is an American former professional cyclist. Mount was sixth at the 1976 Montreal Olympics road race which launched his professional career and propelled the US into post-war international cycling.American riders were among the world's best at the end of the 19th and the start of... |
Keetie van Oosten-Hage Keetie van Oosten-Hage Cornelia Hage, known by her married name Keetie van Oosten-Hage, is a Dutch former cyclist from Sint-Maartensdijk, Zeeland. She came from a family of cyclists, sister of Bella Hage, Heleen Hage and Ciska Hage, and aunt to Jan van Velzen... |
||
| 1979 | Dale Stetina Dale Stetina Dale Stetina was a United States Olympic and national team cyclist in the late 1970s through the 1980s. He competed in the 1976 Montreal Olympics. He is a former U.S. National Road Champion and two-time winner of one of America's greatest bicycle races, the Coors Classic of Boulder, Colorado. ... |
Keetie van Oosten-Hage Keetie van Oosten-Hage Cornelia Hage, known by her married name Keetie van Oosten-Hage, is a Dutch former cyclist from Sint-Maartensdijk, Zeeland. She came from a family of cyclists, sister of Bella Hage, Heleen Hage and Ciska Hage, and aunt to Jan van Velzen... |
||
| 1980 | Jonathan Boyer | Beth Heiden Beth Heiden Elizabeth Lee "Beth" Heiden Reid is an American athlete who excelled in speed skating, cross-country skiing and bicycle racing. She was born in Madison, Wisconsin. Her brother Eric was a five-time gold-medalist speedskater at the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympics... |
||
| 1981 | Greg LeMond Greg LeMond Gregory James LeMond is a former professional road bicycle racer from the United States and a three-time winner of the Tour de France. He was born in Lakewood, California and raised in Reno, Nevada.... |
Keetie van Oosten-Hage Keetie van Oosten-Hage Cornelia Hage, known by her married name Keetie van Oosten-Hage, is a Dutch former cyclist from Sint-Maartensdijk, Zeeland. She came from a family of cyclists, sister of Bella Hage, Heleen Hage and Ciska Hage, and aunt to Jan van Velzen... |
||
| 1982 | Patrocinio Jimenez | Connie Carpenter | ||
| 1983 | Dale Stetina Dale Stetina Dale Stetina was a United States Olympic and national team cyclist in the late 1970s through the 1980s. He competed in the 1976 Montreal Olympics. He is a former U.S. National Road Champion and two-time winner of one of America's greatest bicycle races, the Coors Classic of Boulder, Colorado. ... |
Rebecca Twigg Rebecca Twigg Rebecca Twigg is an American former racing cyclist, who won six world track cycling championships in the individual pursuit... |
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| 1984 | Doug Shapiro Doug Shapiro As of 2010, Doug Shapiro has 35 years of cycling experience that includes being a member of two American Olympic Teams, the third American to ever compete and finish the Tour de France... |
Maria Canins Maria Canins Maria Canins is an Italian racing cyclist who twice won and came second three times in the Grande Boucle. She rode for Italy at the 1984 and 1988 Summer Olympics.Canins was a cross-country skier from 1969 to 1982... |
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| 1985 | Greg LeMond Greg LeMond Gregory James LeMond is a former professional road bicycle racer from the United States and a three-time winner of the Tour de France. He was born in Lakewood, California and raised in Reno, Nevada.... |
Jeannie Longo Jeannie Longo Jeannie Longo is a French racing cyclist, multiple French champion and 13 times world champion. Longo is still active in cycling as of 2011 and is widely considered one of the greatest female cyclists of all time... |
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| 1986 | Bernard Hinault Bernard Hinault Bernard Hinault is a former French cyclist known for five victories in the Tour de France. He is one of only five cyclists to have won all three Grand Tours, and the only cyclist to have won each more than once. He won the Tour de France in 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982 and 1985... |
Jeannie Longo Jeannie Longo Jeannie Longo is a French racing cyclist, multiple French champion and 13 times world champion. Longo is still active in cycling as of 2011 and is widely considered one of the greatest female cyclists of all time... |
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| 1987 | Raúl Alcalá Raul Alcala Raúl Alcalá is a professional road racing cyclist, who competed between 1985 and 1999 and again in 2008. In 1986, Alcalá became the first Mexican cyclist to compete in the Tour de France. In the 1987 Tour de France, he received the Maillot blanc, awarded to the best rider under 25... |
Jeannie Longo Jeannie Longo Jeannie Longo is a French racing cyclist, multiple French champion and 13 times world champion. Longo is still active in cycling as of 2011 and is widely considered one of the greatest female cyclists of all time... |
||
| 1988 | Davis Phinney Davis Phinney Davis Phinney is a former professional road bicycle racer from the United States. He was known as a fast sprinter, and claims to have won the most races in American history. In 1986, he became the first American to win a stage at the Tour de France, while riding on the American-based team 7-Eleven... |
Inga Thompson Inga Thompson Inga Thompson is a road bicycle racing professional from Reno, Nevada. She started professional cycling at 20, in 1984. That year she rode the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics road race and finished 21st. Her career ran from 1984 to 1993... |
Coors Classic firsts and noted accomplishments
According to the liner notes from the 2006 DVD Red Zinger/Coors Classic (produced by race director Michael Aisner), the following are some interesting facts about this race:- The Coors Classic was the biggest men’s pro-am and women’s race in the world
- Credited by the Tour de France for inspiring their addition of a women’s division
- Grew to have 13 full-time staff, 150 paid race-time staff, with a 300 race-week traveling crew
- "Classic"-branded merchandise sales exceeded $1 million each year for 2 years; sales in Japan alone were over $100,000
- First event to close a U.S. National Park (Colorado National MonumentColorado National Monument- Trails :The Monument contains many hiking trails, with lengths and difficulties to suit all tastes. Summer storms can cause flash floods as well as dangerous trail conditions. Rattlesnakes are found on the Monument, and rough terrain exists everywhere, but most trails are well-maintained...
) and Coit Tower road in San Francisco - Created unique, reverse swivel-seat BMW camerabike to interest network TV coverage
- Received network rights fees and aired on CBS, NBC, and ESPN
- John Tesh’s first network sports assignment (CBS), leading him to Emmy Awards for his Tour de France work
- It hosted Olympic teams just before the Los Angeles Olympiad
- Biggest women's race in the world, hosting stars like Olympic champions Connie Carpenter, Jeannie Longo, Beth Heiden and Rebecca Twigg
- Commemorative race pennants were placed on space shuttle ChallengerChallenger-Land vehicles:* Challenger trucks, a Canadian maker of heavy trucks* One of several British Army tanks:** Cruiser Mk VIII Challenger, in service during World War II** Challenger 1 tank, in service from the late 1980s to early 21st century...
. NASANASAThe National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
legal later saw the corporate Coors name and removed it just before launch - A million Coors Classic drink napkins promoting the race were distributed on Frontier Airlines and Continental Airlines planes as part of their race sponsorship
- Celebrities attending included President and First Lady Gerald and Betty FordBetty FordElizabeth Ann Bloomer Warren Ford , better known as Betty Ford, was First Lady of the United States from 1974 to 1977 during the presidency of her husband Gerald Ford...
, John DenverJohn DenverHenry John Deutschendorf, Jr. , known professionally as John Denver, was an American singer/songwriter, activist, and humanitarian. After growing up in numerous locations with his military family, Denver began his music career in folk music groups in the late 1960s. His greatest commercial success...
, Bill WaltonBill WaltonWilliam Theodore "Bill" Walton III is a retired American basketball player and television sportscaster. The "Big Red-Head", as he was called, achieved superstardom playing for John Wooden's powerhouse UCLA Bruins in the early '70s, winning three straight College Player of the Year Awards, while...
, Susan Saint JamesSusan Saint JamesSusan Saint James is an American actress and activist, most widely known for her work in television during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s.-Early life:...
, Shaun CassidyShaun CassidyShaun Paul Cassidy is an American actor, singer, writer, and producer. He is the eldest son of Academy Award winning actress Shirley Jones, and the second son of Tony award-winning actor Jack Cassidy...
, George WillGeorge WillGeorge Frederick Will is an American newspaper columnist, journalist, and author. He is a Pulitzer Prize-winner best known for his conservative commentary on politics...
, Joe MorganJoe MorganJoe Leonard Morgan is a former Major League Baseball second baseman who played for the Houston Astros, Cincinnati Reds, San Francisco Giants, Philadelphia Phillies, and Oakland Athletics from 1963 to 1984. He won two World Series championships with the Reds in 1975 and 1976 and was also named the...
, and Wally SchirraWally SchirraWalter Marty Schirra, Jr. was an American test pilot, United States Navy officer, and one of the original Mercury 7 astronauts chosen for the Project Mercury, America's effort to put humans in space. He is the only person to fly in all of America's first three space programs... - Actor/comedian Robin WilliamsRobin WilliamsRobin McLaurin Williams is an American actor and comedian. Rising to fame with his role as the alien Mork in the TV series Mork and Mindy, and later stand-up comedy work, Williams has performed in many feature films since 1980. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance...
credits this race with inspiring his cycling fanaticism - BMW cars and motorcycles were official race vehicles, and in 1988 a 325i was the top prize in the men's division. Race winner Davis Phinney handed the keys to his long-time coach and team director Jim Ochowicz
- Warner Bros. Studios secured exclusive theatrical rights for feature film American FlyersAmerican FlyersAmerican Flyers is a 1985 film starring Kevin Costner, David Marshall Grant, Rae Dawn Chong, Alexandra Paul and Janice Rule about bicycle racing....
shot on location (in 1984) and based on the race, starring Kevin CostnerKevin CostnerKevin Michael Costner is an American actor, singer, musician, producer, director, and businessman. He has been nominated for three BAFTA Awards, won two Academy Awards, and two Golden Globe Awards. Costner's roles include Lt. John J... - Mighty Soviet (Olympic) and East Germans teams raced in the U.S. for the first time at the Coors Classic
- Live Colombia radio attended, and annually 150 media credentials were issued, many from foreign media
- Helped establish careers for cycling greats Greg LeMondGreg LeMondGregory James LeMond is a former professional road bicycle racer from the United States and a three-time winner of the Tour de France. He was born in Lakewood, California and raised in Reno, Nevada....
, Davis PhinneyDavis PhinneyDavis Phinney is a former professional road bicycle racer from the United States. He was known as a fast sprinter, and claims to have won the most races in American history. In 1986, he became the first American to win a stage at the Tour de France, while riding on the American-based team 7-Eleven...
, Connie Carpenter, Jeannie Longo, Rebecca Twigg, Jonathan Boyer, Phil Anderson, Steve Bauer, Andy Hampsten, Luis Herrera, and Raul Alcala - Three five-time Tour de France winners attended as guests: Anquetil, Merckx, and Hinault (who rode the 1986 race as the last stage race of his illustrious career)
- Race Director Michael Aisner was included on the list of the ten most influential in world cycling by France’s L'Equipe newspaper, inducted into the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame in 2005, and received the Korbel Award
External links
- "Inside Cycling: Aisner and the Coors Classic" from VeloNews
- http://www.dailypeloton.com/displayarticle.asp?pk=10318 "Pro Cycling News" Interview with Michael Aisner
- Celestial Seasonings corporate timeline
- BernardHinault.com
- http://www.danielpubgroup.com/cycling/cycling.html Red Zinger and Coors Classic posters and program publishing]
- A Classic Western Quarrel: A History of the Road Controversy at Colorado National Monument
- Pezcyclingnews interview of Michael Aisner by Matt Wood