Colorado Classic
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USA Cycling Announces Long Team for 2019 Colorado Classic® presented by VF Corporation

By: Kelly Fox  June 25, 2019

Colorado Springs, Colo. - USA Cycling announced today the eight riders for consideration to compete on the U.S. National Team at the 2019 Colorado Classic® presented by VF Corporation. Riders include the 2019 USA Cycling Collegiate Road National Champion in the Club Division, Cara O’Neill (University of Arizona) as well as the 2018 Collegiate Cyclocross National Champion and Road bronze medalist Samantha Runnels (Lindenwood University) and 2014 Collegiate All-Star member and 2018 Colorado Classic Champion, Katie Hall.

“We are happy to have another opportunity to showcase the talent of our up and coming American riders like we did earlier this year at the Amgen Tour of California. USA Cycling’s Collegiate Program is a great avenue for young riders to develop and has produced great champions in the sport. We are pleased to give these athletes the opportunity to race against a talented international field in a top UCI race,” said Jeff Pierce, Director of Elite Athletics, Road and Track for USA Cycling.

USA Cycling Colorado Classic Long Team:

Charlotte Backus (Fort Lewis College)

Madeline Bemis (Milligan College)

Anna Christian (University of Colorado Boulder)

Clio Dinan (Smith College)

Emma Edwards (MIT)

Katie Hall (UC Berkley, Collegiate Program/Collegiate All Star Alumni)

Cara O’Neill (University of Arizona)

Samantha Runnels (Lindenwood University)

“I’m so excited to be selected to race the Colorado Classic with the National Team. Being able to represent my country in a UCI Race is such a special opportunity,” said Sammi Runnels who also competed for the National Team at the 2019 UCI Cyclocross World Championships, “When I first started riding bikes I had no idea I’d ever make it to this level. I’m thankful to all my friends and supporters that have helped me along the way.”

The 2019 Colorado Classic, August 22-25, will be the only UCI standalone women’s stage race in North America; raising the bar with quadrupled prize purse, team stipends, live streaming and longer, more challenging routes. The USA Cycling National Team at the 2019 Colorado Classic is comprised of promising current and former cyclists who have competed in USA Cycling’s Collegiate Program.

“We are proud to field a team for this year’s Colorado Classic,” said President and CEO of USA Cycling, Rob DeMartini, “The Colorado Classic’s support of Women’s cycling since its inception shows their dedication to growing the sport and we are happy to be a part of it.”

Visit USACycling.org for more information on the athletes, events and membership programs, and follow @USACycling across all channels for the latest on Team USA. For more information on the 2019 Colorado Classic® presented by VF Corporation, visit: https://www.coloradoclassic.com/

For more information, please contact Kelly Fox at apalermo@usacycling.org or Guillermo Rojas at grojas@usacycling.org.