August 26 - 27, 2011
The USA Pro Cycling Challenge (formerly Quiznos Pro Challenge) is the most demanding bike race ever held on American soil, with racers experiencing breathless altitudes, day after day. The race is on the level of the Tour de France, bringing the high speeds, danger and adrenaline of professional biking to elevations over 2 miles high in some of the most picturesque terrain in the world—the Colorado Rocky Mountains.
16 International Teams. 128 of the gutsiest riders.
The USA Pro Cycling Challenge features the world’s top riders from teams such as RadioShack, HTC, Garmin and Liquigas. They will compete for their teammates, their fans, their families and themselves as they endure the highest elevations in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Traveling at blistering speeds, riders will risk it all in this high speed, high-adrenaline competition—with the fans there at every turn; up close and personal, with the action flying by, in person, and online.
A Legacy.
Steamboat Springs is no stranger to major cycling events having hosted the Mercury Tour from 1997 – 1999. Annual cycling events include the Tour de Steamboat, Ride 4 Yellow, Steamboat Springs Stage Race as well as the Steamboat Springs Town Challenge Mountain Bike Race Series that regularly draws over 200 riders, and a road racing series run by the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club Cycling Team.
Steamboat Springs is a community with a rich cycling heritage. The stunning rolling landscape set against the back-drop of the Rocky Mountains provides the compelling reason to why Steamboat Springs has been host to major cycling tours such as Ride the Rockies (1998, 2004 & 2007), The Bicycle Tour of Colorado (1998 & 2007) and the Tour of Wyoming (2009).
Course Maps & Information
Stage Four - Avon to Steamboat - Click here to view the route.
After a punishing Queen Stage and an uphill time trial, these cyclists will be longing for an easier day. But the rolling terrain of Stage 4, with a net elevation change of 5000 feet from start to finish, will provide spectators with one of the more interesting and dramatic days of racing. Without significant climbs or high-speed descents, cyclists have numerous opportunities for breakaways, fighting for every mile of pavement and risking everything for King of the Mountain and sprint line points. The day starts in Avon, passes through Wolcott and Oak Creek, following 86 miles of scenery to the finish line in downtown Steamboat Springs, aptly nicknamed Bike Town USA.
Stage Five - Steamboat to Breckenridge - Click here to view the route.
The celebration in Steamboat moves to Werner Mountain, where the cyclists will take off under the watchful eye of Steamboat’s primary ski hill. This will be another opportunistic stage with ample opportunities for breakaways and aggressive racing, but this time with a true mountain pass. The double-summit Rabbit Ears Pass will host a King of the Mountain line and ample viewing opportunities. A sprint line in Kremmling will then lead to more breakways alongside the scenic Green Mountain Reservoir and fights for the finish line in Breckenridge, ending 109 miles of racing in what may prove to be the fastest road race finish during the seven day tour. After winding through Dillon, Keystone and Gold Hill, the cyclists will enter Breckenridge and ride to the finish line downtown.
Daily Event Schedule for USAPCC in Steamboat Springs
| Friday, August 26, 2011 - USAPCC Stage Four - Avon to Steamboat Springs | |
|---|---|
| 10:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. | Gondola open, Steamboat Ski Area |
| 10:00 A.M. - 12:30 P.M. | Moots factory tour |
| 11:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M. | Kent Erickson Cycles factory tour |
| 11:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. | Lifestyle Expo & Sierra Nevada Beer Garden on Main Street (Lincoln Avenue) |
| 12:00 P.M. (Approx) | Live Music at Lifestyle Expo with Loose Change |
| 12:30 P.M. | US Paracycling Challenge Start |
| 2:00 P.M. | Big Screens Live Race Feed Starts |
| 4:00 P.M. (Approx) | Be at the FINISH Line! |
| Afternoon (After last rider) | FINISH Award ceremonies |
| 2:00 P.M. | US Paracycling Challenge Finish |
| 5:30 P.M. | Sunset Happy Hour at the top of the Gondola |
| 5:30 P.M. | Free Summer Concert, Howelsen Hill in downtown Steamboat - 3 Twins Broadband Featuring Members of the Subdudes |
| 9:00 P.M. | Fireworks, Howelsen Hill in downtown Steamboat Springs |
| Saturday, August 27, 2011 - USAPCC Stage Five - Steamboat Springs to Breckenridge | |
| 9:30 A.M. | USA Pro Cycling Challenge Teams Arrive at Meadows Parking Lot |
| 9:30 A.M. | Lifestyle Expo Opens |
| 9:30 A.M. | USA Pro Cycling Challenge Hospitality Tent Opens |
| 10:00 A.M. | Tour Announcers Introduce & Interview Representatives |
| 10:15 A.M. | Caravan Vehicles in Place |
| 10:30 A.M. | Start Ceremonies |
| 11:15 A.M. | START USA Pro Cycling Stage 5: Steamboat Springs to Breckenridge |
| 11:35 A.M. | STARS Charity Ride Start |
| 9:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M. | Farmers Market, downtown on 6th St. |
| 9:00 A.M. - 10:15 A.M. | Athletes Alley |
| 10:00 A.M. - 12:30 P.M. | Moots factory tour |
| 10:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. | Gondola open, Steamboat Ski Are |
| 9:00 A.M. - 10:15 A.M. | Athletes Alley |
| 2:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M. | STARS Charity Ride Party at Little Toots Park |
| 8:00 P.M. | Strings Music Festival concert "Head for the Hills" |
| 9:00 P.M. | Smartwool Bike-in Movie "Best in Show" |
| Night | Glowball Tournament at Haymaker Golf Course |
Visit the USA Pro Cycling Challenge official website for additional details.
Information about the race also available at www.steamboatprocycling.com and routtcountyriders.org.
