In the 1980s, Mark Richard, a local architect and not really a cyclist, conceptualized the Tour of the Gila bicycle stage race. He knew organizing a bicycle race in Grant County would help to promote southwest New Mexico to travelers. The first edition in 1987 drew top talent from across the region, and Tour of the Gila immediately established itself as the proving ground for the country’s top cyclists. The iconic American road race has grown into one of the only stage races sanctioned by the global governing body. Today, Tour of the Gila is the launching pad for athletes ascending the ranks.

As a UCI-sanctioned road race, Tour of the Gila is known as the place for pros and elite amateurs to showcase their talent. Olympians like Kristin Armstrong and Mara Abbott adore the Tour of the Gila, and Americans racing on and director World Tour teams appreciate the race’s role in their path to the top. Such professionals include 2023 Vuelta a España winner Sepp Kuss and EF Education-Oatly Director Sportif Carmen Small.

As a USA Cycling-sanctioned road race, Tour of the Gila also attracts amateur cyclists wanting to experience the notorious challenge of the area’s steep and scenic roads while testing their physical limits. Ranked as a favorite among American bicyclists and fans, Tour of the Gila connects athletes with the deepest and most powerful parts of themselves while bringing a global community of competitive bicyclists and fans together in a small rural town.

By traveling diverse roads and highlighting New Mexico history, Tour of the Gila brings to attention the region’s qualities, which include the landscape that inspired the creation of the Wilderness Act; a robust farming, ranching and mining heritage; an historic military fort; a growing creative community; and an enclave of cyclists who consider Grant County their secret hideaway and dream playground.

Since the start, Jack Brennan has been integral to Tour of the Gila. His name is synonymous with the event that draws pro and amateur competitive cyclists to New Mexico each spring. Competitors know that Jack embodies the spirit of Grant County’s warm hospitality. He and the two nonprofit boards behind Tour of the Gila bring a thoughtful approach to an athletic competition that creates far-reaching impacts on the regional community and plays a critical role in the sport of cycling internationally.