An old cycling race may be coming back to Colorado

As the weather gets colder Boulder’s active cycling community settles down until spring. But for some cyclists, the winter months are a great excuse to go train at Boulder Indoor Cycling or the Velodrome.

On the outside the Velodrome looks like an ordinary white warehouse almost indistinguishable from its neighbors, but once you step through the doors its like nothing you have ever seen. Think of a normal running track cut in half, made of wood and tilted at a forty-five degree angle at either end. Semi-pro athletes like Connor Meznarich practice here in preparation for the competitive cycling season.

Unfortunately for Colorado residents like Meznarich very few races are held here, most take place on the west coast. But this didn’t always use to be the case. Between 1970-1989 Colorado was host to the Coors Classic. During its prime, it was the fourth largest race in the world, was the inspiration behind the 1985 movie American Flyers and was the unofficial national race of the US.

Meznarich says that cycling legend, and part time Colorado resident, Lance Armstrong has begun discussions with Gov. Bill Ritter to reinstate the race. Ritter says that the state is faced with a serious budget crisis, but there may be a way to help Armstrong provided he can find sponsors.

“If anyone one can make this happen it’s Lance,” Meznarich said. “It will revitalize the cycling community…get people excited and on bikes all over the US.”

Armstrong has already begun making sponsorship deals and the race is projected to start in August 2011.