The 38th Tour of the Gila reveals its four leader jerseys, which were thoughtfully designed with the southwest region’s history and cultures in mind. The Tour of the Gila 2025 jerseys display the race’s appreciation of the Mimbres culture and compliment the bike race’s longstanding tradition of awarding trophy bowls fashioned in the style of and using similar processes to the Mimbres.

The patterns and textures figured in each of this year’s jersey designs are inspired by a pot in the NAN Ranch collection of the Western New Mexico University Museum, which houses the world’s largest collection of Mimbres pottery in Silver City—central to where these prehistoric people crafted their distinctive black-on-white pottery. In consultation with the WNMU Museum director, Tour of the Gila identified ollas and bowls that represent this group of people who inhabited the landscapes the five racecourses pass through.

The intentions were to educate participants on the region’s history while celebrating the Mimbres people and the ongoing legacy that is Tour of the Gila. Graphic artist and bicyclist Mitch Ikemoto pulled these concepts together in the four designs on JAKROO Alpha jerseys.

The red New Mexico True leader jersey is awarded to the individual in each category who is leading the overall time standings. The wearer of this jersey is at the top of what’s known as the general classification, which means they have the lowest overall time after all the stages.

In the UCI races, the polka dotted Freeport McMoRan climber jersey is awarded to the racer who has reached and earned the most points by reaching the King or Queen of the Mountain lines at the top of key ascents ahead of all riders with a consideration for each climbs’ category rating. At Tour of the Gila points are up for grabs during all three road races.
The green Gila Regional Medical Center sprinter jersey goes to the cyclist leading the points classification determined by intermediate sprints and finishing place in certain stages.

The white Southwest Bone and Joint/Brian and Lynn Robinson Best Young Rider jersey signifies the leading rider under age 23 on the general classification.

Crossing the body of the New Mexico True leader jersey are thin horizontal lines—a nod to the intricate detail and fine brush strokes that make up the complex and meaningful designs of renowned Mimbres black on white pottery. The pattern on the left sleeve is based on the horizontal stripes adorning a miniature olla on display in the WNMU Museum’s main level.

While the circles that dot the Freeport McMoRan climber jersey appear to be made of solid lines at first glance, a closer look reveals detail inspired by the designs commonly painted on Mimbres pottery. Peaked shapes come together to form concentric rings that also contain diamond and triangular shapes.

The geometric design encircling both the Gila Regional Medical Center sprinter jersey and the Southwest Bone and Joint/Brian and Lynn Robinson Best Young Rider jersey was modeled after a Mimbres Style-III Middle olla that’s part of the NAN Ranch collection.

The bottom of each sleeve finishes the look with a border like might be found on a Mimbres pot. Plus, the left sleeve of each jersey bears the logo of the Leaders of Enchantment podcast, the Tour of the Gila 2025 media partner. This placement acknowledges podcast creator Doug Campbell’s contributions to support shining a spotlight on the athletes and the community members who come together for this gem of an event in the Land of Enchantment.

For a shot at earning a red New Mexico True leader jersey, sign up for Tour of the Gila in one of the USA Cycling-sanctioned fields at bikereg.com/tour-of-the-gila. The race is offering a four-day format for Men 1,2 (40+ Bonus) & Men 3 (40+ Bonus) along with a three-day format for Women 1,2,3,4 (35+ Bonus), Men 4,5 (40+ Bonus), and Masters Men 3,4,5 (40+/50+/60+/70+).