DoubleClick

About

"The crowds are bigger this week than any race on United States soil up to now.  This is the best race in American history."

Pat McQuaid, UCI President

“It’s hard to put into words and to describe the emotions I’ve felt and experience that I’ve had this week. I was 13 years old when I watched the Tour de France on television and I read magazines about the Coors Classic on these roads here in Colorado. To be here 25 years later and to experience the size and the scope of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge is just beyond my expectations. I didn’t expect this many people to come out. Today has been the biggest crowd that I’ve seen in the U.S. Today really raised the bar for American cycling."

Levi Leipheimer (USA), Team Radioshack
Quiznos Leader Jersey Overall Winner at the 2011 Inaugural USA Pro Cycling Challenge

“The amount of enthusiasm is unmatchable. You have great crowds from all over the world at the Tour de France, but here it is more of a one-shot deal. This is their ticket; if they want to see all these big guys who don’t come over all that often they can and they’re pumped. Especially coming off the backside of the Tour de France, people are just losing their minds. Independence Pass yesterday was just awesome."

Christian Vande Velde (USA), Team Garmin-Cervelo
Second Place Overall, 2011 USA Pro Cycling Challenge

“I don’t know if I’ve ever raced in a place where the fans have been so appreciative. I want to thank the state of Colorado for coming out and supporting the USA Pro Cycling Challenge. People here were so appreciative and I will come away thinking that I want to come back because of that. It is something that stays in my mind – the ambiance that a race creates is not always controllable but in Colorado this week the culture and timing and weather all contributed to the race. From what I saw it was incredibly successful.”

Cadel Evans (AUS) – BMC Racing Team
Winner, 2011 Tour de France
Seventh Place Overall, 2011 USA Pro Cycling Challenge

Breathtaking altitudes, treacherous climbs and

135 of the world’s best riders.

It was the most challenging race ever held on American soil.

The inaugural USA Pro Cycling Challenge was the most demanding bike race ever held on American soil, with racers experiencing breathless altitudes, day after day. The race brought the high speeds, danger and adrenaline of professional cycling to elevations more than two miles high in some of the most picturesque terrain in the world—the Colorado Rocky Mountains. With altitudes and downhill peaks double what riders usually endure, the Colorado Rocky Mountains presented a course that was as much a part of the race as the riders themselves.

For seven consecutive days, from August 22-28, 2011, 135 of the world’s top athletes raced across 518 miles through the majestic Rockies. This inaugural race in Colorado featured the best of the best in professional cycling, competing on a challenging course through some of America’s most beautiful scenery, including cities such as Aspen, Vail, Breckenridge and Steamboat Springs.

Nearly 1 million spectators viewed this race from the roadsides along the route while 161 countries and territories broadcasted the race on television, including NBC and Versus. The USA Pro Cycling Challenge was one of the largest cycling events in United States history.

Spectators of the race saw Olympians, World Champions and the Tour de France podium winners Cadel Evans, Andy Schleck and Frank Schleck. Fans worldwide had 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.

On the final day, Levi Leipheimer of Team RadioShack was awarded the Quiznos Leader Jersey and crowned the first-ever champion of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge in front of a monumental crowd in downtown Denver. Elia Viviani took the Smashburger Sprint Jersey, Tejay Van Garderen the Sheets Best Young Rider Jersey, Rafael Montiel captured the Nissan King of the Mountain Jersey and the Exergy Most Aggressive Rider Jersey of the final stage went to Timmy Duggan.

“I think the USA Pro Cycling Challenge has been the most exciting race this year. The first four days the jersey changed hands every day – it was incredible. The crowds, the atmosphere, the competition level – everything was just unbelievable and it surpassed everyone’s expectations. This is the most fun race I’ve done and a race I’m looking forward to coming back to every year.”

Tejay Van Garderen (USA) - HTC-Highroad

Third Place Overall & Sheets Best Young Rider Jersey Winner, 2011 USA Pro Cycling Challenge

The USA Pro Cycling Challenge is supported by passionate and dedicated Colorado Host Cities, each participating through year-round promotion and activities. These host cities form a unique and stunning backdrop to America’s Race.

An announcement will be made in November 2011 to name the host cities for the 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge.

2012 Host Cities

Shop

USA Pro Cycling Challenge Ouray 60 Mile Per Hour Tee
Get the gear.
Show your pride for the sport and support the race by purchasing from a variety of USA Pro Cycling Challenge gear.

Facebook

Twitter