DENVER (April 16, 2012) – After sorting through hundreds of submissions and tabulating thousands of votes, the national poster for the 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge was unveiled today and will serve as the official commemorative poster for the second-annual race set for August 20-26, 2012. Montrose, Colo. resident and long-time cycling enthusiast Leanna Johnson created the winning design, tapping into her lifelong passion for the sport and the rich cycling history found throughout the town of Montrose. One of four new host cities, Montrose will serve as the start of Stage 2 on August 21.
“Cycling has always played a big role in my life,” said Johnson. “The USA Pro Cycling Challenge has had a great impact on the state of Colorado and the nation, and in my poster I wanted to portray the huge feat the racers face while competing throughout the Rocky Mountains. It is such an awesome event and I'm so excited to be a part of it!”
Showing the true nationwide support for the contest and the race, poster designs were submitted from 23 different states, including Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Designs were submitted via the USA Pro Cycling Challenge Facebook page where more than 4,000 loyal fans voted for their favorite design.
“The incredible poster design Leanna Johnson created captures the intensity of the riders competing in the USA Pro Cycling Challenge in a very artistic and patriotic fashion,” said Stacie Lange, Executive Vice President of the USA Pro Challenge. “Thank you to all of the loyal and passionate cycling fans who took the time to create a poster, and congratulations to Leanna!”
The commemorative poster will be produced and sold to race fans both online and onsite during the race August 20-26. A portion of the proceeds from each national poster sold will be donated to America’s Road Home.
About the USA Pro Cycling Challenge
For seven consecutive days, the world’s top athletes race through the majestic Colorado Rockies, reaching higher altitudes than they’ve ever had to endure as they ascend over three mountain passes, each exceeding 12,000 feet in elevation. After attracting more than 1 million spectators in 2011, making it one of the largest cycling events in U.S. history, the USA Pro Cycling Challenge is back for 2012. Featuring a challenging, 683-mile course with over 42,000 feet of vertical climbing, the second annual race will spotlight the best of the best in professional cycling and some of America’s most beautiful scenery.
Referred to as “America’s Race,” the USA Pro Cycling Challenge will take place August 20-26, 2012, a week proclaimed by Governor John Hickenlooper as “Colorado Cycling Holiday,” and travel through 12 host cities from Durango to Denver.
More information can be found online at www.USAProCyclingChallenge.com and on Twitter at @USAProChallenge.
