Bike Race | Evolving Consumer

The Colorado-based USA Pro Challenge remains one of the most prestigious races in the professional cycling season, which is impressive given that it only launched three years ago. This week the organizers announced that there will be several new additions including the first-ever mountaintop finish.

What else marks the race for 2014 is that the organizers are asking fans to vote on the final stage!

After overwhelming support in 2013, the race is heading back to Aspen for the overall start of the 2014 edition, where elite professional cyclists from around the world will be put to the ultimate test in America’s most difficult cycling race. The host cities and stages of the 2014 USA Pro Challenge include:
• Stage 1: Monday, Aug. 18 – Aspen Circuit Race
• Stage 2: Tuesday, Aug. 19 – Aspen to Mt. Crested Butte
• Stage 3: Wednesday, Aug. 20 – Gunnison to Monarch Mountain (mountaintop finish)
• Stage 4: Thursday, Aug. 21 – Colorado Springs Circuit Race
• Stage 5: Friday, Aug. 22 – Woodland Park to Breckenridge
• Stage 6: Saturday, Aug. 23 – Vail Individual Time Trial
• Stage 7: Sunday, Aug. 24 – ???

Fans will be able to help shape the race by logging on to www.prochallenge.com/PickStage7 and giving their opinion on four options for Stage 7, including:
1. Denver Circuit Race similar to the final stage of the 2013 race
2. Start in Golden (2012 Stage 6 start city) and finish in Denver
3. Start in Boulder (2012 Stage 6 finish city) and finish in Denver
4. Start in Boulder and end in Golden

What’s Your Vote For Stage 7 Official Website
Press Release: Host Cities Announced for 2014 USA Pro Challenge

And now there are five, as in the first five teams to sign on for the inaugural 2011 Quiznos Pro Challenge professional cycling race that will host as many as 128 professional cyclists from 15 teams.

Today race organizers officially announced the first five teams, which include Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) pro teams: Team RadioShack (USA), Liquigas-Cannondale (Italy), HTC-Highroad (USA), Slipstream Sports/Garmin-Cervelo (USA), and BMC Racing Team (USA).

Among the racers that are confirmed include seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong, world champion Thor Hushovd and former world champion Cadel Evans; along with team directors Johan Bruyneel and Bob Stapleton.

“It’s exciting to see that the Quiznos Pro Challenge is already considered one of the most important races in the United States,” said Ellen Kramer, General Manager of the Quiznos Pro Challenge. “Our goal is to connect new audiences in America with the sport of professional cycling; having several of the premier international teams already signed up is a huge step in that direction.” Continue reading Quiznos Pro Challenge Announces Five Top Pro Teams for 2011