After Celebrating Young Riders and Climbers in October, the Colorado Classic Jersey Challenge Continues with a Test of Speed

November 5, 2020

Denver, Colo. (November 5, 2020) — The onset of fall didn’t keep hundreds of riders from competing in the Colorado Classic Jersey Challenges in October, and four lucky fans rode off with a 2019 Colorado Classic jersey signed by cycling star Chloe Dygert.

On Monday, the team at Colorado Classic was honored to virtually award their #InspiredWeRide Best Young Rider jerseys to Lily Hanna and Leo Sundstrom, both of whom are student athletes in the Colorado High School Cycling League.

Over the past three months, more than 1,800 student-athletes enthusiastically participated in a series of virtual challenges with dedication and grit. The 2020 season of “Singletrack Solidarity” provided opportunities for the student athletes to improve their skills, sustain team camaraderie, and maintain the culture of spirited fun.

Upon the season’s completion, Hanna and Sundstrom were named the league’s “Exceptional Student-Athlete” by the Colorado League community members, thereby also claiming the Colorado Classic 2020 Best Young Rider title, and winning a Chloe Dygert-signed jersey.

“Both Lily and Leo’s personal standards and achievements are a model to others. They’ve demonstrated outstanding leadership, sportsmanship, academic performance and volunteerism in their team, school, and community. We are thrilled to recognize them in a small way and hope to see them along the sidelines — or in Lily’s case, in the peloton — at a future Colorado Classic event,” said Lucy Diaz, CEO of RPM Events Group LLC.

Earlier in the month, the mountain goats of the cycling community had a chance to shine in our weeklong climbing competition on Strava. During this week, the first cyclist to ride 13,668 feet in elevation (the total amount of feet climbed during the 2019 event) was awarded the 2020 Virtual QOM Jersey. A second signed jersey was to be awarded to the cyclist who recorded the most elevation gain during the Climbing Window.

In a fun turn of events, the title swapped hands several times among the 400+ competitors, which included some familiar and surprising faces.

Kevin G. of Evergreen, CO, was the initial winner of not one but both jerseys, as he completed a 14,000 -foot ride in the very first day on his way to a weekly total of 41,198 ft. of climbing.

Kevin graciously offered up the second QOM jersey to the runner-up, which was pro cyclist Lauren De Crescenzo, who raced Colorado’s US Pro Challenge back in 2015. She humbly decided to take herself out of the running to make room for a non-pro, which turned out to be none other than Dore H. of Everett, WA., better known in the cycling community as: The Antler Man!

A massive cycling fan, Dore attended the Colorado Classic 2019 to witness — and at times, chase down — Chloe Dygerts dominate performance. Dore said Dygert’s performance was nothing short of “Merckx-like” and upon learning about this challenge he felt a “hot blooded heart’s desire to bring home Chloe’s jersey.”  He climbed an impressive 28,519 ft. in his pursuit to take home the coveted jersey.

The Colorado Classic is keeping the excitement going with a 2020 Virtual Sprint Jersey competition kicking off next week, which will be a test of speed and guesswork.

For this challenge, the Colorado Classic is partnering with UCI women’s team, Team TIBCO – Silicon Valley Bank, who designated 2020 virtual Tour de France winner, Lauren Stephens, as their test subject.

The Colorado Classic asked Stephens to undertake a 30-second sprint test on her trainer to see just how fast she can go, and supported by teammates Emily Newsom and Nina Kessler, she threw down an impressive effort captured on video.

The speed effort has been set, now it’s the fan’s turn to guess what Stephens’ max speed was. To win this competition, participants will be asked to watch the video on social media and guess Stephens’ max speed.

The contest will run from November 10th through the 17th. Stephens’ max speed will be revealed on November 18th on social media, and the winner will be announced no later than November 20th.

To participate, find the Colorado Classic at @coloradoclassicpro on Instagram, @CoClassicPro on Twitter or @ColoradoClassicPro on Facebook.

Launched in September 2020, the #InspiredWeRide Jersey Campaign is the latest initiative in a series of ways the organizers behind the Colorado Classic have kept the cycling world engaged during this unusual and trying year; while furthering their mission be more than a race, and act as a movement to inspire and  empower women of all ages to break the mold, and fight for their goals.

To learn more about Colorado Classic’s initiatives and mission, please visit https://www.coloradoclassic.com/.

For details about the current and upcoming Virtual Jersey competitions, please visit https://www.coloradoclassic.com/2020-jersey-campaign .

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Contact: Anne-Marije Rook, anne@thorpemarketing.com

About the Colorado Classic: The Colorado Classic® presented by VF Corporation is America’s premier all-women’s professional road cycling race. Our goal is to be the best women’s race in the world while developing a year-round platform that celebrates and empowers female athletes. We are more than a race, we are a movement that is changing the world through the power of women’s sport.

About RPM Events Group: RPM Events Group LLC is a Colorado-based company committed to reimagining professional cycling events while providing meaningful social and economic impact. The company owns and organizes the Colorado Classic® presented by VF Corporation — a world-class women’s pro road race. www.rpmeventsgroup.com