Historic DVD of Red Zinger & Coors Classic Released
The long awaited video footage of the Colorado Classics that launched a generation of American Cyclists now available in a 3 Disc set. Reprise of the history of Coors Classic and Red Zinger by Dave Towles.

VeloGear is pleased to announce the release of Red Zinger/Coors Classic: Where It All Began, an 8 hour, 3 disc DVD set which commemorates the race that launched American cycling. The DVD is available now through VeloGear.com and major bicycle industry distributors.

Nearly thirty years after its first race, the Red Zinger/Coors Classic is available on DVD. VeloGear has teamed with race producer Michael Aisner to present 8 hours of rare television coverage and documentary footage restored and re-mastered in a 3 DVD set.

Aisner, now a film documentarian, compiled spectacular race film reels and behind-the-scenes footage to create the first, only, and official video compilation of the Red Zinger/Coors Classic. The DVD set begins with the 1977 Red Zinger and spans the '80s through ESPN's coverage of the final Coors Classic race in 1988. Bonus features include a 7-Eleven Superbowl television commercial, the bizarre European sport of Cycleball, and a balancing competition called "The Slow Race".

The Red Zinger and Coors Classic stage races showcased world-class men's 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.

Witness the roots of American cycling as LeMond, Hinault, Hampsten, the Soviet Olympic Team, and stars of the sport duel for glory and pride through more than a decade of the roots of American cycling. Journalists and fans of the sport agree that 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., culminating in Lance Armstrong's seven Tour de France victories and in the success of today's top American riders like Floyd Landis, Dave Zabriskie, George Hincapie, Levi Leipheimer, and Bobby Julich.
"I look [at the old footage of the Coors Classic] and I just see the foundation of American cycling coming out of that," said Kiefel. "Just as the race grew, bike racing in the United States grew and became really solid and stable, and allowed Lance [Armstrong] and others to launch off of that."– Ron Kiefel, former 7-Eleven rider and 7-time Tour de France racer.

"[The Coors Classic] was the beginning of everything you see today... I think as a result of those efforts we're still seeing a lot of good things happening in the sport of cycling."– Jim Ochowicz, President of USA Cycling and former 7-Eleven rider.

"Without the Coors Classic, it's doubtful...American cycling today boast an expanding slate of stage races...nor would there be so many American riders and teams racing in the European peloton."– John Wilcockson, VeloNews

"[The Coors Classic] was the springboard for American racing which allowed us to have a living and a lifestyle."– Davis Phinney

"The last year of the Coors race...was the turning point of American bike racing."– Steve Tilford

On December 7, Aisner and VeloGear released the Red Zinger/Coors Classic DVD in a launch party and race staff and rider reunion in Boulder. The event was attended by over 500 people, including Davis Phinney, Connie Carpenter, Andy Hampsten, Ron Kiefel, Jim Ochowicz, Alexi Grewal, Jock Boyer, Alan McCormack, and raised $1,500 for the Davis Phinney Foundation. Phinney received a standing ovation after an emotional thanks to the Coors Classic family. Video and photos of the event are available at VeloNews.com.

VeloGear® is an online and mail order retailer of gear for the cycling lifestyle. VeloGear sells cycling lifestyle apparel, pro and pop culture jerseys and shorts, training and historical books and DVDs, and is a licensed retailer of official Tour de France merchandise. To retail the Red Zinger/Coors Classic DVD and jersey in your shop, contact: Jen Soulé, Wholesale Manager (800) 811-4210 x169, jsoule@insideinc.com 

Red Zinger & Coors Classic on the Daily Peloton.com:
While you wait to see the DVD's you can capture the race in the historical articles chronicled by America's premiere race announcer Dave Towle's in his 11 part series linked below.

The 1981 Coors Classic
The 1981 Coors Classic: Part Two
The 1981 Coors Classic: Part Three
The 1981 Coors Classic: Part Four
The 1981 Coors Classic: Part Four
The 1981 Coors Classic: Part Five
The 1981 Coors Cycling Classic: Part Six
Red Zinger & Coors International Bicycle Classic, 1975-1981
The 1984 Coors Classic: Part 2
The 1984 Coors Classic Part Three: Game On!
The 1984 Coors Classic Part Four: Houdini