01/02/2026
It’s the End of an era for the Rio Grande Elite Cycling Team. Swipe to see words from Rees York as he reflects on being the Owner/Team Director for the past 6 years.
“The Rio Grande Elite Cycling Team has been a cornerstone of the Colorado cycling community for a long time, and for the past six years, I’ve had the privilege of leading this incredible group of athletes. Many have carried the mantle before me, so continuing that legacy was important. We gave it a good go—pushed hard, chased big dreams, and raced against the best. What we accomplished together is nothing short of remarkable. The first time that really hit home was when the team qualified for Pro Road Nats, and Tayne Andrade was third over the first climb of the day and created a breakaway of 8 riders, with 5 pros and 3 elite. Flooring our little rented Kia support car to the front, and showing the other riders that Rio was HERE was such a proud moment for me!
Over the years, this team has really been a platform for riders to pursue their ambitions, even while balancing the demands of college and life. We really focused on local & collegiate riders and tried to be a consistent presence along the front range with a consistent calendar to help them develop. We’ve sent countless athletes to the next level of cycling, and I’m eternally grateful for the opportunity to help make those dreams possible. While taking care of business in Colorado, this journey has taken us far beyond. In the last six years alone, we’ve raced in Guatemala, Panama, Ecuador, Belize, and Bermuda, along with the biggest U.S. stage races like Redlands Bicycle Classic, Tour of the Gila, and Joe Martin Stage Race. We’ve celebrated podiums, state championships, and even international victories—like the U23 General Classification win at the Tour de Panama with Taj Krieger. These moments are a testament to the grit and talent of every rider who wore the Rio Red.
The results were great, but one of the best things to come out of the team were the connections. Riders from all over the country and internationally joined the team, resulting in friendships globally. After coming to Fort Collins and experiencing the cycling community here, some of the riders even moved here full time! Plenty of past and current riders still meet up (even while abroad), and that sense of belonging and shared purpose is something that I’ll always cherish.
None of this would have been possible without our incredible partners, supporters, and the cycling community that believed in us. From team camps on the roads of Fort Collins to lining up at UCI stage races, we’ve lived the mission: to cultivate emerging talent and give riders the chance to shine on the biggest stages. As the curtain closes on this chapter, I want to say thank you—from the bottom of my heart—to every rider, sponsor, volunteer, and fan who made Rio Grande Elite what it was. Thank you to the Rio Grande Mexican Restaurants, Bike Sports, Mawson Lumber & Hardware, Dohn Construction, Pheonix Cyclery, Ari Bikes, Pactimo, EnjoyWinter, and Flow Formulas for their dedication to this team. Each of these partners believed in our mission and became a part of the Rio Family for many years. Though the team won’t continue next year, the legacy we’ve built will live on through each of our riders.
To my riders, cheers to this adventure we’ve had! I know each of you will do great things in the years to come and I’ll always be cheering for you guys on the sidelines (even if you are in Primal colors) 😉. For those that know me, I’ll always still be in the cycling world in some way... plans are in the works to make 2026 a good one!
It’s been a true honor to be apart of the legacy,
Rees York
Owner and Team Director”
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