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USA Pro Cycling Challenge ~ Two Stages, One Destination

Watch the race live with the RadioShack Tour Tracker 

Great news! Race officials have selected Gunnison and Crested Butte/Mt. Crested Butte as two of the 12 host areas that will serve as starts and finishes for the second annual USA Pro Cycling Challenge. After drawing more than 1 million spectators in its inaugural year, the race will return to Colorado from Aug. 20-26, 2012, and will visit Crested Butte/Mt. Crested Butte as the finish of Stage 2 on Aug. 21 and Gunnison as the start of Stage 3 on August 22, 2012.

Race route maps and road closure information.

Stage 2: Montrose to Crested Butte – Tuesday, Aug. 21


At 99 miles, Stage 2 is a mix of old and new. Beginning with a new course for the first 65 miles, the race then visits familiar territory as it passes through Gunnison and retraces the 2011 route up to the grueling finish in Mt. Crested Butte. Beginning at Montrose Pavilion, the stage will begin with a quick neutral lap, then the riders head east out of town. As Montrose fades into the distance, the short but challenging climbs over Cerro Summit and Blue Mesa Summit await and make for early launch pads for the breakaway specialists.

As the road levels giving way to the picturesque twists and turns along the shores of Blue Mesa Reservoir, the riders approach the first Sprint Line of the day in Gunnison, 65 miles away from the start in Montrose. Gunnison will host the race two days in a row, first as a pass-through in Stage 2 and then as a start city in Stage 3. Moving north out of Gunnison breakaway time gaps will shrink, team leaders will move to the front and domestiques will protect and position their leaders. As the riders head into downtown Crested Butte, they face the day’s last Sprint Line. From there it’s a 2-mile climb to the line at Mt. Crested Butte. A dynamic and exciting uphill finish, this short, but steep hill gave Levi Leipheimer the leader’s jersey in 2011.

View a printable map of the stage 2 route through Gunnison, Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte. Read a memo regarding the Mountain Express town shuttle schedule.

Visit the official website for the Crested Butte/Mt. Crested Butte Stage 2 Finish: http://www.cbprochallenge.com/.

Stage 3: Gunnison to Aspen – Wednesday, Aug. 22


In 2011, U.S. stage racing saw one of its toughest days with the ride from Gunnison to Aspen and in 2012 the “Queen Stage” will again feature two of the highest climbs in professional racing. The stage starts in downtown Gunnison with a short neutral section leading out of town; however, as soon as the racing begins, so do the challenges. Just after the first right turn the riders face the first Sprint Line of the day in the small community of Almont. This will most likely be the last time the true sprinters will play a part in this stage, as the race quickly turns uphill and heads toward the first King of the Mountain (KOM) of the day near Taylor Park Reservoir.

A short, flat section on the north side of the reservoir will be the last pavement the field will see for almost 14 miles, as the dirt climb that follows will take the race to 12,126 ft. and the highest point of the week at Cottonwood Pass. A beautiful, twisting descent will take the peloton down into the town of Buena Vista and the second sprint line of the day before heading north on US 24 to Twin Lakes. The left towards Twin Lakes will show the field what is to come as they see the massive ridge in front of them. Although the climb up Independence Pass is paved and not quite as high as Cottonwood, it is sure to produce fireworks again this year. Lined with fans in 2011, the climb to 12,095 ft. caused several gaps in the field that led to an exciting finish in Aspen, which will no doubt be duplicated in 2012.

View a printable map of the stage 3 route through Gunnison.

Cottonwood Shuttle - August 22, 2012
The Gunnison County Public Works Department will be running shuttles up Cottonwood Pass for the USA Pro Cycling Challenge. There will be 4 mini bus shuttles running beginning at 7:00am. Each mini bus holds 14 passengers and will load at the parking area near Taylor Park Trading Post (shuttle stop will be signed). There may be more shuttles added if demand dictates. Please contact Gunnison County Public Works at 970-641-0044, dferchau@gunnisoncounty.org or come to 195 Basin Park Drive to make reservations. The fee per seat is $10.00. These fees will be donated back to the Gunnison School District Athletics Program for coaching staff and travel costs. Reservations must be made prior to August 20, 2012. The shuttle drivers will not take payment or allow anyone on the shuttle that has not made a reservation and does not have a ticket.

View Gunnison's Guide to the USA Pro Cycling Challenge.

For complete race race information visit http://www.usaprocyclingchallenge.com/.

Crested Butte’s USA Pro Cycling Challenge – Ancillary Events

Monday Night Hype Party on Elk – August 20 – Time to get psyched up for the USA Pro Challenge to race to Mt. Crested Butte from Montrose on August 21 for Stage 2 of the seven-day stage race. The night before, Monday, August 20, there will be a Hype Party on the streets of downtown Crested Butte. Elk Avenue will be closed between 2nd and 3rd streets, featuring live music and libations available for purchase. The jumbo tron will be playing clips from last year’s race, to recall the excitement that took place last year in Colorado and get ready to watch it all unfold again in 2012 USA Pro Challenge.

Monday, August 20th from 6:00 p.m. to ? - New Belgium Brewing's Tour de Fat comes to CB for the Crested Butte Last Sprint Block Party in the historic downtown of Crested Butte. This block party is the kick off for the Pro Cycling Tours Stage 2 race through Crested Butte and up to Mt. Crested Butte on Tuesday, August 21. Bring your townie and custom to this fun-packed evening of event! New Belgium and Avery Breweries will be on hand for refreshments. Hang out with High Rollers and their adult big wheels for a number of fun races. Music, food and fun for all ages. Come join us! 

Crested Butte Townie Crit – August 21 – As if riding a townie through Crested Butte isn’t enjoyable enough. Now cycling enthusiasts can ride laps around town, in a criterium-style race emulating the loop that the pro-racers will be sprinting later that afternoon, except for a brief detour through the Talk of the Town bar to add a little excitement and hilarious spectating opportunities. Dress to impress, grab your townie and test yourself “Crested Butte style” for the now-annual Townie Crit. The best cyclists in the world will be speeding through the downtown sprint line only a few hours later, do you think you can beat their times on your townie? Race begins in downtown Crested Butte at 11 a.m. and registration is in the Post Office parking lot in the downtown sprint line viewing area.

USA Pro Challenge Finish Festival – August 21 – The finish is always a huge place of anticipation and some of the hottest action when it comes to stage racing, so why not throw a big party around it all? From 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. next to the Stage 2 Finish Line in Mt. Crested Butte there will be a festival, complete with live music, dancing, a beer garden, local vendors and a jumbo tron to watch the racers as the excitement from Stage 2 unfolds between Montrose and Mt. Crested Butte, passing along the Blue Mesa Reservoir, through Gunnison, up the East River Valley, with a sprint line in downtown Crested Butte to the finish in Mt. Crested Butte. In the Finish Festival, the youngest of bikers will also have a chance to race around in the Strider Cup and enjoy some other bicycle focused fun in the Kids’ Zone, making it the perfect place for families to show their enthusiasm for this awesome sport.

Cottonwood Pass King of the Mountain – August 22 – Stage 3 is also known as the “Queen Stage” of the USA Pro Challenge; with two mountain passes, both exceeding elevations above 12,000 feet. Racers climb 13 miles of dirt road to crest 12,162 feet above sea level at top of Cottonwood Pass; the highest point of the entire USA Pro Challenge race. Altitudes of this height are rarely reached by any of these professional cyclists, making the brutal ascent and fast decent one of the best throughout the entire race. To witness the excitement, cycling fans from around the world can catch a shuttle from Taylor Park or ride their bicycles to the top of Cottonwood Pass to witness racers battling for the first, of two, King of the Mountain points of the day in the Queen Stage of the seven-day stage race.

‘Chase The Race’ Stage - August 22 - As Stage 3 of the USAPCC leaves Gunnison, CO to race over both Cottonwood & Independence Passes en-route to Aspen, we will follow in the tire treads of history, by riding from downtown Crested Butte over historic Pearl Pass, and on into downtown Aspen to catch the Stage 3 finish!
This is a chance to experience the early rides of some of mountain biking's great pioneers, like Gary Fisher, Tom Breeze, Don Cook, and more, when they used this route as one of the inspirations to help develop the beginnings of the modern day mountain bike.  This will be a special and unique way for cycling enthusiasts to be a part of the sports history and it's future! Get more information.

     

Gunnison’s USA Pro Cycling Challenge – Ancillary Events

SUNDAY, AUGUST 19th - Philadelphia Insurance Companies Queen Stage Pre-Ride
How many people do you know who have ridden a stage of a professional cycling race? Join us for a sneak peek of the Gunnison side of the Queen Stage. This group ride format departs from IOOF Park at 9 a.m., ventures to the summit of Cottonwood Pass – a USA Pro Challenge King of the Mountains point finish – and back. Total mileage: 106! Not in love with the idea of riding the dirt? Do an all-pavement 40-mile route instead. Then join us at the post-ride Recovery Party at Garlic Mike’s, sponsored in part by Acli-Mate, at 2 p.m. $45 entry fee includes ride, goody bag and post-party. Register at http://www.bikereg.com/, search for “Queen Stage”

MONDAY, AUGUST 20th - Citizen’s Race & Fun Lap, presented by Western State Colorado University
Local cycling legends have revived the circuit format in Gunnison. Sign up for the Fun Lap to ride where the pros will blaze on Tuesday. Women’s and Men’s Open categories will follow (16-29 years, 30-49 years, 50+ years), also on the Pro Challenge Stage 2 course. Women ride 30 minutes + 1 lap; men ride 45 minutes + 1 lap. Each field is limited to 50 riders. Register at http://www.bikereg.com/, search for “Fun Lap”. Wheels roll from Escalante Hill at 5 p.m. Stick around for the chalking party afterwards. For questions, call Gregg Morin, 970 641 1137.

VO2 Max Testing, presented by Philadelphia Insurance Companies - Understand your body to maximize training and performance. Western State Colorado University’s High Altitude Performance Laboratory offers this test to UPC fans on a limited basis Monday and Tuesday. Reservations are required. Call 970 275 3516.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 21st - Queen’s Court Cycling Festival - The Queen’s Court offers a day of fun, food and entertainment. Follow the race in-bound from Montrose and all the way to the Mt. Crested Butte finish on the jumbotron, sample local fare, get your race souvenirs, marvel as the peloton flies through town at top speed. Stick around for live music from Chris Daniels & the Kings, followed by the Crested Butte Film Festival’s showing of cycling films under the stars. IOOF Park.

  • 10:00 a.m. Festival opens
  • 11:30 a.m. Iron Wrench: The best bike mechanics duke it out in Cycling Stadium. Each crew receives a box of parts and a frame, plus access to our parts “pantry”. Their challenge: build a rolling bike within two hours. Crowd applause will choose the winner of a cash prize.
  • Noon Kids Zone opens, until 8:00 p.m.: bounce houses, Bike Booth, snacks
  • ~1:45 p.m. Peloton races through town
  • 4:30 p.m. Live music from Chris Daniels & The Kings
  • 7:00 p.m. Crested Butte Film Festival presents Cycling Under the Stars: shorts and feature film Chasing Legends

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22nd - Queen’s Court Start Festival - Come early to get up close and personal with riders and their team set-up. Stay and enjoy the day as we watch them all the way to the Aspen finish. IOOF Park.

  • 5:00 a.m. Live TV coverage from Denver’s Channel 9/KUSA begins. Make your “I Love Gregg Moss/Susie Wargin” sign and come wave “Hi Mom”. The Today Show has nothin’ on Gunnison. IOOF Park.
  • 8:00 a.m. Festival and Kids Zone opens (Kids Zone open until 1:00 p.m.)
  • 9:00 a.m. Autograph Alley opens
  • 10:00 a.m. QUEEN STAGE START
  • 10:15 a.m. Bike Parade: All racers will parade from IOOF Park to the Start line. Register at the Kids Zone Bike Booth on Tuesday or before the Queen Stage start.
    • Strider Bike Race, 0-4 years
    • Pedal Bike Race, 3-6 years
    • Kids Funky Bike Race, 7+ years
    • Adult Strider Bike Race