AMERICA’S RACE
The USA 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.
PARTNERING WITH THE #1 MOST INFLUENTIAL ATHLETE.*
According to a USA Today survey, Lance Armstrong has more influence than LeBron James. The cycling star recognized that professional cycling needed a race in the United States, on terrain that is unmatched in Europe or around the world. With altitudes and downhill peaks double what riders usually endure, the Colorado Rocky Mountains present a course that is as much a part of the race as the riders themselves.
According to Encino (Calif.) E-Poll Market Research as published in USA Today Survey. *
16 INTERNATIONAL TEAMS. 128 OF THE GUTSIEST RIDERS.
The USA Pro 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.
“The USA Pro Challenge will provide a spectacular backdrop in Colorado for a great new professional stage race that will automatically become a major competition on the international calendar. It will be a big goal to win there for me and my teammates.”
George Hincapie
Three-Time U.S. Professional Cycling Champion
“We are an American team based in Colorado so we’re extremely excited about the USA Pro Challenge. Colorado has some of the best training grounds in North America and the racing is going to be incredible.”
Ryder Hesjedal
Seventh-Place Finisher in the 2010 Tour de France
At 12,000 feet, every breath brings in only two-thirds of the oxygen that you would get at sea level. If that isn’t enough, you have to factor in the temperature as well. Air temperature drops about 3.5 degrees for every 1000 feet of elevation gain. At 12,000 feet, you’re experiencing temperatures nearly 40 degrees lower than at sea level.
OUR PARTNER HOSTS
The USA Pro Challenge is supported by 11 passionate and dedicated Colorado Host Cities, each offering year-round promotion and marketing opportunities that talk specifically to an educated, upscale, decision-maker audience. These host cities form a unique and stunning backdrop to America’s Race.
- Denver
- Colorado Springs
- Salida
- Breckenridge
- Gunnison
- Aspen
- Avon
- Steamboat Springs
- Golden
- Crested Butte/Mt. Crested Butte
- Vail
USA Pro Challenge 2011 – THIS IS AMERICA’ S RACE. 7 Days. Nearly 600 Miles. 128 of the World’s Best Pro Riders. 60 MPH. 1 INCH OF RUBBER.
The USA Pro Cycling Challenge is expected to be the largest spectator event in Colorado history and one of the largest sporting events to ever take place in the United States. For seven consecutive days, 128 of the world’s top athletes will race across more than 500 miles through the majestic Rockies, reaching higher altitudes than they’ve ever had to endure, more than two miles in elevation. It’s the best of the best in professional cycling, competing on a challenging course through some of America’s most beautiful scenery.
Spectators of this race will see Olympians, World Champions and Tour de France competitors. Fans worldwide will have access to the competition and riders like never before with the most advanced, interactive online, smartphone and broadcast television experience presented to date in professional cycling. The USA Pro Cycling Challenge is expected to be one of the biggest and best races worldwide… America’s answer to the Tour de France.
The inaugural USA Pro Cycling Challenge will take place August 22-28, 2011, starting in Colorado Springs and traveling to Salida, Crested Butte/Mt. Crested Butte, Gunnison, Aspen, Vail, Avon, Steamboat Springs, Breckenridge and Golden, with the final finish in Denver. With more than one million spectators expected at the event, as well as national television exposure on NBC and the cable network VERSUS, the USA Pro Cycling Challenge will be the race to celebrate in America. Visit www.usaprocyclingchallenge.com for all the details on who is competing and how you can watch, or catch us on Facebook or Twitter @USAProChallenge.
