Colorado goes Cookie Corner Crazy!
The Velorama Colorado Classic provided some top-level international professional men's and women's cycling, lots of rain, oh, and whole lot of cookies!
Professional uphill cyclist, author, podcaster, KOM chaser and founder of Phil's Fondo, Phil Gaimon came up with the idea of doing a “Cookie Corner” every day at the AMGEN Tour of California, to get the word out about his cookie-themed Gran Fondo bike ride in Malibu, October 15. Gaimon’s cookie theme was a bit of an inside joke—a fan favorite during his racing career, Gaimon made no secret of his affection for cookies, to the point strangers brought batches to races for him to consume (hopefully afterwards).
Such was the success and fun factor for those handing out cookies and the pro cyclists grabbing them, Phil naturally took his roadshow over to the Colorado Classic. The new Colorado Classic race was heavy on festivals and fan-centric fun!
The Velorama side of the cycling festival featured beer gardens, food, an expo and marketplace, and concerts by headliners, including popular alt-rock bands Wilco and Death Cab for Cutie.
Stage three was a hotly contested 81-mile out-and-back course that ran from the RiNo race hub to the mountains west of Denver on the Peak to Peak Highway, and then returned to the Mile High City through scenic Golden Gate Canyon State Park.
The day’s highlight was Gap Road, where riders faced the toughest part of the course, the King of the Mountain (KOM) section, then some dirt roads with steep, rolling hills.
Gap Road was the setting for Cookie Corner!
Cookie corner is all about fun and cookies!
The great thing about Pro bike racing all over the world, is that it's free for fans and followers to get up close and cheer on their heroes in the Pro peloton.
Pro riders really react to, really appretiate their fans and followers. Many fans travel hundreds of miles, wait all day, just to see their heroes for a few minutes at a time!
Just for a brief moment, grabbing a cookie turns their "day job" into a whole lotta fun!
In the men's race eight riders attacked up the climb to Gap Road. Conti, Clarke , Ellsay, Conola were joined by Peter Stetina (Trek-Segafredo), with Sepp Kuss (Rally), Manuel Senni (BMC), and Serghei Tvetcov (Jelly Belly).
VIDEO: What's a bike race without a Cookie corner?
Breakaway group in front by 30 seconds
The move from Stetina put pressure on Alex Howes' Cannondale-Drapac team. Canola nabbed the maximum KOM points on Gap Road, followed by Tvetcov, Stetina, Clarke and Conti. Senni bridged across to the leaders over the top. But Cannondale-Drapac were keen to keep Stetina from threatening Alex Howes' position and reeled the leaders in before the second KOM.
Senni and Tvetcov attacked before the second climb and gained a sizeable lead on the tricky descent and gained a minutes advantage which they maintained to the finish line where Tvetcov won the final sprint and Senni took the race lead. Manuel Senni from BMC Racing went on to win the Colorado Classic overall.
All in all, it looks as if the new model of the Colorado Classic has been a rounding success and it may be the one that saves American Pro Cycling?
VIDEO: Breakaway on Cookie Corner!
Alex Howes group with Cannondale pulling
Ride Phil's Fondo this October 15th in Malibu, CA
Phil's Cookie Fondo is even more Delicious!, now partnered with Verizon, Phil's Fondo is even tastier this Oct 15th in Malibu
Former pro cyclist Phil Gaimon has personally designed 3 courses his second annual ride, from 50-115 miles, mixing challenging climbs and beautiful ocean views...of course with Chef Jeff Mahin's signature gourmet cookies provided throughout.
Try to beat the Pros on the Strava challenge, and thanks to the charity partnership with Chef's Cycle and No Kid Hungry, you can expect more celebrity chefs and a truly world-class dining experience, from the expo to the post-ride meal.
Phil's Fondo has also released the designs for their new kit: the Cookie KOM Collection, designed by Castelli in honor of Phil's 2017 Strava campaign.
Phil will be at the expo/packet pickup Oct 14 to launch his third book, "Draft Animals," with Penguin Publishing.
Phil's Fondo sponsors will be on hand with giveaways and fun activities, and all riders receive Official Cookie Fondo Swag Bag filled with free gear!
All riders receive Official Cookie Fondo Swag Bag filled with gear from event sponsors & partners!
Discounts are available for teams, and spots are still open for The VIP experience, which includes dinner with the pros at Pedalers Fork, bike support from Velofix, Exclusive VIP Swag Bag, full 2017 KOM Cookie Kit by Castelli, New Balance shoes, and Two Night Stay at Hyatt Regency Westlake.
Don’t miss out on one of the West Coast’s fastest growing Fondo's with over 1,000 riders, register today to secure a place!
For detailed information, please visit: http://www.philsfondo.com
Use Promo Code COOKIECORNER to save $25 Off Your Registration This Week Only!
Stage 2 to Les Marécottes
