The Tour of Connecticut is an important stop on USA Cycling's National Racing Calendar and is considered a crucial part of the build up to the United States Professional Championships. It began as the single day Housatonic Valley Classic in 2001 and expanded to its multi-day format in 2003. A Cyclosportif ride has been added for 2005.

The 2005 event will be featured on OUTDOOR LIFE NETWORKS's Cyclysm Sunday bicycle race TV series on Sunday, June 5th. the 2005 Tour of Connecticut will also be broadcast locally on Connecticut's WCTX-UPN .

The 2005 Tour of Connecticut begins in New Haven, Connecticut at 6pm on Friday, May 20 th with a crowd-pleasing evening criterium race around the famed New Haven Green. The tiny, 900-meter circuit with its wide fast turns resembles a giant track race, but one raced by pro road teams. All of the action is visible from the start/finish line as well, adding to the track racing atmosphere.

Saturday May 21 is the grueling 62 mile Waterbury Climbers' Cup, a bicycle race that will define the true contenders for Tour of Connecticut race leadership. The Waterbury race has becoming a citywide celebration, complete with block parties and rock bands that cheer on the racers. The course, surely one of the most difficult on the NRC circuit, climbs for 1.5 miles of its 4-mile length in a twisting and turning course that shakes the field to pieces.

A final epic stage takes place on Sunday, May 22 nd , a grueling 135-mile race that commences with a 116 mile loop through the magnificent beauty of Litchfield County. The course is dotted with New England church steeples and long, very steep climbs. The race reenters the host city of Torrington for 20 fast, exciting miles of finishing circuits in downtown Torrington and the final awards of the 2005 Tour of Connecticut.

Confirmed professional teams for the 2005 Tour of Connecticut include Navigators Insurance, Jittery Joes, Webcor Builders and defending 2004 winners Team Colavita/Sutter Home. Invited amateur teams include TIAA - CREF and Fiordifrutta Cycling Team.

The 2005 Tour of Connecticut features a popular 62 mile "Cyclosportif" public ride on Sunday, May 22 nd to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Connecticut. This popular "Cyclosportif" event has been added to the 2005 Tour of Connecticut program. The Cyclosportif riders will start ten minutes behind the pros on Sunday's final stage of the Tour of Connecticut and then chase them over the first thirty-five miles of the race, before heading back to Torrington. The Tour of Connecticut Cyclosportif ride has been named as an official event for the Team In Training program.