USA Pro Cycling Challenge
Race details | |
---|---|
Region | USA |
Nickname(s) | USA Pro Challenge |
Discipline | Road race |
Competition | UCI America Tour 2.HC |
Type | Stage race |
Organiser | Medalist Sports LLC |
Race director | Jim Birrell |
Web site | www |
History | |
First edition | 2011 |
Editions | 1 |
First winner | ![]() |
The USA Pro Cycling Challenge is an annual multi-day professional road bicycle racing stage race that first took place in Colorado in 2011. Originally announced on August 4, 2010 by Colorado governor Bill Ritter and Lance Armstrong as the Quiznos Pro Challenge,[1] the event carries on the state's cycling legacy, which was most notably highlighted by the Coors Classic that ran from 1980 to 1988.
2011 Edition
In 2011, the event took place between August 22–28, 2011 and featured 16 professional cycling teams [2] consisting of 135 riders; including the top three riders of the 2011 Tour de France: Cadel Evans, Andy Schleck and Frank Schleck. Riders traveled 518 miles and climbed 36,250 total feet at altitudes of upwards of 12,000 feet during the seven days of competition.
The race received 25 hours of national television airtime on Versus (TV channel) and the NBC Sports Network and was seen by over one million people worldwide. On-air commentary was provided by Tour de France announcers Paul Sherwen, Phil Liggett and Bob Roll.[3]
2011 USA Pro Cycling Challenge
2012 Edition
For 2012, the 683-mile race will feature 42,000 feet of climbing, nine mountain passes (three of which exceed 12,000 feet), and three mountain top finishes. Four new cities joining the 2012 race are Durango, Telluride, Montrose and Boulder. The race is to be held from August 20–26 and will feature a Individual Time Trial on the final day of racing in Denver.[4] The race has received a 2.HC from the UCI (French: Hors categorie; English: beyond categorization), the highest rating.
References
- ^ http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/lance-armstrong-announces-the-quiznos-pro-challenge
- ^ http://www.usaprocyclingchallenge.com/teams
- ^ http://www.denverpost.com/outdoors/ci_17775248
- ^ http://www.usaprocyclingchallenge.com/news/2012-usa-pro-cycling-challenge-route-features-american-professional-cycling%E2%80%99s-highest-elevation