In 2026, Tour of the Gila will again raffle a Monē Bikes frame to one lucky competitor in any of the five USA Cycling races. Every person who registers and races in the 39th Tour of the Gila is automatically entered to win. Here’s what the 2025 Monē Bikes frame winner says.

On the day of the 2025 Downtown Silver City Criterium, teenage athlete Sterling Smith’s name got drawn in the raffle for a Monē Bikes Hachita frame. “It was by far the best thing I’ve ever won and by far the nicest bike I’ve ever owned,” the two-time Tour of the Gila competitor says.

Smith had been automatically entered to win when he signed up for the stage race, which was already a season highlight for the young cyclist, who’s raced Valley of the Sun, Tucson Bicycle Classic, La Primavera Lago Vista, and Junior Nationals. “Tour of the Gila is by far the most fun stage race that I get the opportunity to do. The climbing and the scenery is amazing, and I have to mention the amazing community that comes out for the race every year,” says the first-place winner of last April’s Redlands circuit also spent three weeks racing in Belgium over the summer.

Last year, Smith felt a little apprehensive about Tour of the Gila but only because it was his first as a USA Cycling Category 3 racer. “I conquered that fear with help from my teammates and coaches,” he says. “Last year’s race went well for me. I had good performances every day.”

Winning the Monē Hachita frame was the icing on the cake for Smith, who thinks he won this bike frame at the perfect time. “I was obsessed with the Tour Divide and am making a plan to ride this route as soon as I can. I am only 15, and right now my mom won’t let me, but I am working on her.”

Since winning the raffle for Tour of the Gila participants last year, Smith has been building the frame out into his dream bike and is using it for a bike tour in California over spring break. “I think that anyone who is interested any kind of biking would be so excited to get this bike,” he says.

Watch Sterling unbox the Monē Hachita.

Further, he thinks anyone who’s interested in racing bikes would be lucky to experience Tour of the Gila. “I’ve been racing bikes since I was thirteen and riding regularly since I was 10. I’ve raced a large selection of events and enjoyed many of them.” he says. “Tour of the Gila is the best race I’ve ever done and you gotta get out there and experience it. Tour of the Gila is goated.”