Organizers have announced that seven of the state’s top races will constitute the first Tour of Colorado, beginning Saturday, May 10th and concluding over the Labor Day Weekend.

The 2008 Tour of Colorado will feature several Colorado State Championship events as well as The State Games of The West. Overall results will be kept for five of the most competitive categories and classes.

The series begins with the Excel Sports Sunshine Hill Climb on Saturday, May 10th in Boulder. Attracting more than 300 entrants in 2007, the popular race will once again bring great racing to the edge of downtown Boulder.

The Iron Horse Bicycle Classic held in Durango over Memorial Day Weekend is now in its 36th year. Already having a record number of entries, entry space is very limited for the Iron Horse. The Iron Horse features the famous Durango to Silverton Road Race, a downtown criterium and a time trial.

Several Colorado State Championship races begin the weekend of June 21 and 22 at the Fort Collins Cycling Festival. The Rist Canyon Road Race returns and promises to once again, be one of Colorado’s most difficult races.

The Salida Omnium in Salida, July 25-27, will serve not only as a Colorado State Championship but the State Games of The West event. This well organized event continues to grow not only as a bicycle race but as a community event.

Gateway Canyons Resort will once again host the Gateway Canyons Road Cycling Festival. Featuring two Colorado State Championship events, this August 8-10 weekend promises great road racing with its two very popular road races, the Gateway Canyons Dolores River Classic and the Gateway Canyons Unaweep Classic. A State Championship Time Trial is also on the schedule as well as citizens’ rides and clinics.

The Tour of Colorado returns to Boulder on August 17th for the Excel Sports North Boulder Park Criterium. This is the only single day criterium in the Tour but is in downtown Boulder, a spot that has played host to some of greatest criterium battles. This is one race not to be missed.

Lamar, Colorado will host the final event over the Labor Day Weekend, August 30-September 1st. The Santa Fe Trail Stage Race in Southeastern Colorado has quickly come to the top in Colorado racing with its criterium, road race and time trial events.

Each Tour of Colorado event is owned, managed and sponsored separately. For specific event information go to www.tourofcolorado.com and click on a race on the schedule page. For general Tour of Colorado information and contacts, please see www.tourofcolorado.com The Tour of Colorado is proudly sponsored by www.Pactimo.com, the Official Apparel Sponsor, www.SandCreekSports.com, and by www.philipbohlmann.com.