Starting at Gough Park in Silver City, stage 1 is a point-to- point road race with a final 3.8-mile climb on a very narrow, rough road pitching up at times to grades of 13%, 15%, and 19% before finishing at a cattleguard. The course includes a 2.1-mile (3.4km) parade loop through downtown Silver City and a finish that includes two bonus sprints and finish line sprint points

Day 1 starts at Gough Park in Silver City. The neutral parade heads down Pope St., then winds through Historic Downtown Silver City on Bullard St., then up Market St., known to the locals as ‘Snake Hill’.

The challenge ahead hangs in the air—anticipation thick, the morning crisp. Many racers wonder what lies ahead. Many already know. The 1st day of the legendary Tour of the Gila has begun.

Once the riders have made the left turn onto Hwy 180 W, the race officially begins.

The map variance for each classification is where they “officially” start in Silver City and how or how many times they go through Cliff.

The course continues out toward Cliff and loops through the beautiful town of Gila, New Mexico. A great place to view the race along this stretch is at the feed zone near the school in Cliff, where the kids are lined up to cheer the racers on. Cliff and Gila are nestled on the banks of the Gila River, New Mexico’s last wild river. The long time history of ranching is alive and well in this part of Southwest New Mexico, evident as the race makes its way past the meadows and vast vistas flowing up to the Mogollon Mountains.

Hwy 180 then takes the racers on to Glenwood, gateway to the Catwalk National Recreational Trail. While out watching the race, don’t forget to stop off in Glenwood for lunch in this scenic, quaint town.

After stocking up at the feed zone just past Glenwood, racers now start up the rolling hills taking them to the turn that leads toward the mountain ghost town of Mogollon. This year’s stage returns to finishing on the famous Mogollon climb. The New Mexico Department of Transportation completed their infrastructure improvements in the Town of Mogollon; thus, the race course returns to its iconic course.

UCI Women start at 8:30 a.m. MDT and race 71.2 miles with 3,669 feet of climbing.

After the neutral parade through the town, the course turns left onto US 180, a 2-lane road with wide shoulders. The first bonus sprint will be at 18.3 miles(26.1km). At 22.5 miles(36.3km) turn right onto NM 211 and enter the first feed zone area on the hill. Neutral water is provided here. Continue on NM 211 through Gila and Cliff, then turn right on US 180 at 28.8 miles(46.4km). Continue on US 180 to the second bonus sprint at 36.7 miles (59.1km). Head on to Glenwood at 61.7 miles(99.4km). Turn right onto NM 159 at 64.5 miles(103.9km) and head toward the ghost town of Mogollon where the road narrows and climbing begins for the last 6.7 miles(10.8km).

UCI Men start at 9:40 a.m. MDT and race 92 miles with 4,252 feet of climbing..

After the neutral parade through the town, the course turns left onto US 180, a 2-lane road with wide shoulders. The first bonus sprint will be at 18.3 miles (26.1km). At 27.2 miles (43.8km), turn right in Cliff onto NM 211 and enter feed zone area on the hill. Continue on NM 211 through Gila, then on a narrower NM 211 with a few short steep rollers to the main highway. At 33.5 miles (53.9km), turn right on US 180 to Cliff again, completing the first of two 11.2 mile(18km) loops. Upon reaching Cliff, turn right for a second trip through the feed zone and around the loop. Continue on US 180 to the second bonus sprint at 57.5 miles(92.5km). Head on to Glenwood at 82.5 miles(132.8km). Turn right onto NM 159 at 85.3 miles (137.3km) and head toward the ghost town of Mogollon where the road narrows and climbing begins for the last 6.7 miles (10.8km).

A closer look at Stage 1, the Silver City to Mogollon Road Race

Details for both:

On the Course: 2 bonus sprints: no time bonuses, cash award for 1st and sprinter points for 1st, 2nd and 3rd.

At the Finish: One Cat 1 KOM/QOM. No time bonuses or sprinter points at finish.

Jerseys awarded at the end of the stage are:

General Classification Leader’s Jersey (Red)

Sprinter Jersey (Green) sponsored by Gila Regional Medical Center

KOM/QOM Jersey (Polka Dots) sponsored by Freeport McMoRan

Best Young Rider Jersey (White) sponsored by Brian & Lynn Robinson and Southwest Bone & Joint Institute