Press Release – Coors Classic DVD now available nationwide

By Press Release – VeloGear

Michael Aisner and VeloGear Produce the Definitive Red Zinger/Coors Classic 3  Disc DVD SetBoulder, CO, December 20, 2006 – VeloGear is pleased to announcethe release of RedZinger/Coors Classic: Where It All Began, an 8 hour, 3 disc DVDset which commemorates the race that launched American cycling. The DVDis available now through VeloGear.com and major bicycle industry distributors.

Nearly thirty years after its first race, the Red Zinger/Coors Classicis available on DVD. VeloGear has teamed with race producer Michael Aisnerto present 8 hours of rare television coverage and documentary footagerestored and re-mastered in a 3 DVD set.Aisner, now a film documentarian, compiled spectacular race film reelsand behind-the-scenes footage to create the first, only, and official videocompilation of the Red Zinger/Coors Classic. The DVD set begins with the1977 Red Zinger and spans the ’80s through ESPN’s coverage of the finalCoors Classic race in 1988. Bonus features include a 7-Eleven Superbowltelevision commercial, the bizarre European sport of Cycleball, and a balancingcompetition called “The Slow Race”.The Red Zinger and Coors Classic stage races showcased world-class men’sand women’s cycling throughout the scenic terrain of Colorado, California,Nevada, Wyoming, and Hawaii. The race was considered the fourth biggestrace on the world cycling calendar and was ground-breaking as the singlebiggest 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 pridethrough more than a decade of the roots of American cycling. Journalistsand fans of the sport agree that the Coors Classic launched the careersof some of the world’s greatest cyclists and paved the way for the sport’sgrowth in the U.S., culminating in Lance Armstrong’s seven Tour de Francevictories and in the success of today’s top American riders like FloydLandis, Dave Zabriskie, George Hincapie, Levi Leipheimer, and Bobby Julich:”I look [at the old footage of the Coors Classic] and I just see the foundationof American cycling coming out of that. Just as the racegrew, bike racing in the United States grew and became really solid andstable, and allowed Lance [Armstrong] and others to launch off.”- Ron Kiefel, former Team 7-Eleven rider and 7-time Tour de France racer

“[The Coors Classic] was the beginning…of everything you see today…Ithink as a result of those efforts we’re still seeing a lot of good thingshappening in the sport of cycling.”- Jim Ochowicz, President of USA Cycling and former Team 7-Eleven manager

“Without the Coors Classic, it’s doubtful…American cycling would todayboast an expanding slate of stage races…nor would there be so many Americanriders and teams racing in the European peloton.”- John Wilcockson, VeloNews editorial director

“[The Coors Classic] was the springboard for American racing which allowedus to have a living and a lifestyle.”- Davis Phinney, Coors Classic winner and Tour de France stage winner

“The last year of the Coors race…was the turning point of American bikeracing.”- Steve Tilford, former Levi’s and Wheaties-Schwinn rider and CoorsClassic racerOn December 7, Aisner and VeloGear released the RedZinger/Coors Classic DVD in a launch party and race staff and riderreunion in Boulder. The event was attended by over 500 people, includingDavis Phinney, Connie Carpenter, Andy Hampsten, Ron Kiefel, Jim Ochowicz,Alexi Grewal, Jock Boyer, Alan McCormack, and raised $1,500 for the DavisPhinney Foundation. Phinney received a standing ovation after an emotionalthanks to the Coors Classic family. Video and photos of the event are availableat VeloNews.com.

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