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Prologue

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Patrick Gretsch
Patrick Gretsch
Patrick Gretsch wins the first ever Prologue of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge.
Read The Recap
Stage Begins
August 22, 2011 at 1:15p.m.
Distance
5.18 miles
Total Climb
219 feet
Estimated Finish
3:45p.m.
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Visit the Host City pages to learn more about the events in each town  and get information on where to stay, what to do and where to go while you enjoy the race.

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Prologue (August 22)

The Prologue is an individual time trial important for designating the order for the first road stage the next day.  In the USA Pro Cycling Challenge, the Prologue takes place in Colorado Springs, one of only three Front Range communities in the inaugural race, and home to beautiful Garden of the Gods park where the race will begin.  With riders released at one minute intervals starting at 1:15 p.m., they descend out of Garden of the Gods at an incredibly fast pace, reaching speeds up to 50 miles per hour or more.  This is a great crowd stage, because the riding will be very fast, with many dramatic turns on the downhill for viewing, and one viewing spot will allow you opportunity to see each individual rider and their personal strategy for negotiating fast turns and high speeds.  This stage will also bring out the best of the best technology – teams will be breaking out their ultimate speed vehicles in their quest to wear the yellow jersey during the first road stage.  The Prologue takes the cyclists 5.5 miles out of Garden of the Gods, through Old Town Colorado Springs and into downtown for the finish.

Download Prologue Map
Download Spectator's Guide

FESTIVAL AT THE USA PRO CYCLING CHALLENGE.

Festival at the USA Pro Cycling Challenge isn’t just one event… it’s seven. It’s at the heart of every finish city, a place where cycling fanatics and sports enthusiasts come together and soak up the atmosphere during each day’s race. It’s the place to be... and you’re going to be right there with them.

FESTIVAL WILL FEATURE:

  • Entertainment                 
  • Food
  • Crafts
  • Gear
  • Arts
  • Live Music
  • Beer Garden
  • UPCC Merchandise Store
  • Kids Zone
  • And more…

Who to Watch*

  • Time Trial Specialists:  Taylor Phinney, Fabian Cancellara, Svein Tuft – these riders will be looking to pull off a win in this stage
  • Sprinters: Mark Cavendish, Tyler Farrar, Robert Forester

*Final rosters not yet confirmed. Participating riders may change.

Where To Watch

  • Stake out a spot at the entrance to any turn down Garden of the Gods Road.
  • Experience all that downtown Colorado Springs has to offer and watch the finish line to see who will wear the very first yellow jersey of the inaugural USA Pro Cycling Challenge.

The Prologue is important because overall General Classification (GC) contenders will not want to lose precious seconds to their rivals before they even get on the road.  Riders who are known as exceptional sprinters will also push hard on this stage to gain time before they get to the climbing stages where they might lose time.

YouTube

  • Prologue-VNR

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Cycling 101

Chase

A group of one or more riders who are ahead of the peloton trying to join the race or stage leader(s). There may be none, one, or many chases at any given point in a race.
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