 In 1960, local civic and business leaders in the city and Art Longsjo's widow Terry Longsjo organized the first race, with input from Longsjo's racing friend Guy Morin.In 1980, a new race organizing committee formed, which renamed the event the Fitchburg Longsjo Classic.The race was one of the leading bicycle competitions in the United States during this time, as evidenced by the well-known riders on the winners' list.