2013 USA Pro Challenge Route Features American Professional Cycling’s Highest Elevation

USA Pro Challenge ^ | 8/18/13 | Baynative

[Baynative]

DENVER (April 25, 2013) – The route for the 2013 USA Pro Challenge professional cycling stage race, taking place Aug. 19-25 in Colorado, will take riders on a heart-pounding journey through the breathtaking Colorado Rockies. The largest spectator event in the history of the state, the USA Pro Challenge continues to set records in professional cycling history by taking the riders to unprecedented elevations. In 2012, with a lead change nearly every day, one of the closest professional races in U.S. history came down to the final moments of the Individual Time Trial in Denver, and this year’s route promises to bring just as much drama.

[Baynative]

By popular demand from the FReeper Peloton the USA Pro Challenge makes it's own live thread. It ain't the Tour de France, but its gonna be special and we are gonna see a battle of climbers that never quite got settled in France in July.

Those of you who don't care for or understand the discipline of team cycling at the highest levels, please restrain yourselves from jeering at thise of us who do.

Thank you, X-Roadie

[Baynative]

Bike Ping

Stage 1: Aspen Circuit Race – Monday, Aug. 19

The 2013 USA Pro Challenge begins with its biggest opening day hurdle ever. The new for 2013 Aspen/Snowmass Circuit may be short on distance, but it packs a punch that will welcome the riders to Colorado. Consisting of three 22-mile laps, 66 miles total, Stage 1 packs in 3,080 ft. of climbing per lap with minimal recovery, so this is no easy start.

Each lap will see the racers fight for position onto the narrow, but beautiful Maroon Creek Bridge, then grind up to Snowmass Village. A quick descent leads to two short, but steep climbs and a quick loop through downtown before doing it all again. Pair that with a starting elevation of 7,900 ft. and you have one tough opening day. No one will win the 2013 USA Pro Challenge on this opening day, but without a strong start, someone could lose it.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Good, I miss the days of the Red Zinger and Coors Classic. I have the finish line banner for the 1985 Niwot Time Trial Stage.

Back in the day...

[RedHeeler]

pfl

[fieldmarshaldj]

Have ‘em bike up to 14k at Pike’s Peak Highway, none of that low-altitude Aspen sissy stuff.

[SES1066]

I’m looking forward to this too, NBC Sports broadcast!

[PeteB570]

YeeeeeeeHaawwwwww

Here we go

[Ms. AntiFeminazi]

A heartfelt thank you! I checked my recorder this morning. The preview was this afternoon but I missed it. I think I rely on my dvr almost as much as I rely on my cell phone!

[ironman]

I am looking forward to this race. DVR set to record.

[Baynative]

I think if you look at the stage profiles you will see that this is not a race for sissys.

[DCmarcher-976453]

Thank you. I hope I get to watch.

[ironman]

There is this app too.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/usa-pro-cycling-challenge/id455263852

[Baynative]

Bike Ping

Just curious. Does anyone know if Davis Phinney and Connie Carpenter have any special role or recognition in this event? (Especially in the circuit race)

[Baynative]

Bike Ping

Just curious. Does anyone know if Davis Phinney and Connie Carpenter have any special role or recognition in this event? (Especially in the circuit race)

[deport]

https://www.google.com/#bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&fp=a0df57acf717ad89&q=2013+USA+Pro+Challenge++Davis+Phinney+++Connie+Carpenter

[familyop]

Tourism and revenues for gun control.

[PrairieDawg]

Don’t blame the whole state for Denver and Boulder. Just saying...

[patriotspride]

Thanks Bay.

This is an interesting course.

[Baynative]

Bike Ping

SAGAN WINS STAGE 1 (no real surprise)

Now unlike the big Euro tours there is no pussy footing around the wine country for sprint show. We're heading right into the mountains for stage 2. I'm not happy to see Nairo Quintana's name missing from the peloton, but there will be plenty of "legs" in the game, I'm sure. The same goes for Cadel Evans who was listed on the team roster for BMC, but didn't show at the start. But, Tejay is here and was right there next Sagan at the finish, taking the same time.

BTW if anyone wondered about the name Juraj Sagan on the Cannondale Team, YES, that's Peter's little brother. He's moved up from the development squad to have a go with the big boys.

Stage 2: Aspen - Breckenridge

August 20,2013(Don't try this at home, kids)

While much of the Stage 2 course has been used in previous years, 2013 will mix things up by taking the riders in different directions, creating a unique new stage. The familiar battleground of Independence Pass will be anything but easy as riders ascend the 12,000 ft. climb, the highest point reached in any professional cycling race. Then they’ll continue on through some familiar spots as the race zooms through Buena Vista, Fairplay and Alma, before tackling Hoosier Pass from the south this year.

But it’s not over until it’s over, so before crossing the line the riders will have to conquer the nasty 15 percent grade of Moonstone Rd. in the heart of Breckenridge, before bombing down Boreas Pass to the waiting crowd.

[twyn1]

Nice to see Matt Cooke get King of the Mountain — I know his M-i-L and it was great to see he had been picked up by a new team (his old team was dissolved due to the Lance fall-out). He probably won’t hold onto it, but I enjoyed seeing his name up there last night.