Following a public vote, the fans have spoken and Stage 7 of the 2014 USA Pro Challenge professional cycling race will take riders from Boulder through Golden and over Lookout Mountain, finishing with three circuits around Downtown Denver in Colorado. Just more than a month after the announcement of the first six stages and hearing the opinion of fans as to where Stage 7 should travel, the final day’s route has been determined.
“The 2014 USA Pro Challenge is going to be the most exciting year yet,” said Rick Schaden, owner of the USA Pro Challenge. “Boulder, Golden and Denver have been such great hosts over the history of the race, so we decided to work them all into the final day of competition. These three iconic Colorado cycling locations are going to create one grand finale!”
Beginning in Boulder, which served as the Stage 6 finish in 2012, the race will travel through Golden, which saw record crowds as a start city in 2012, and finish with three laps around the State’s Capitol, which has served as the finish location every year of the race. The day also incorporates an incredibly challenging and fan-favourite climb on Lookout Mountain.
“Cycling fans are so passionate and such an important part of the sport, so we decided to give them a voice in the route selection process,” said Shawn Hunter, CEO of the USA Pro Challenge. “We wanted to try something new this year and by incorporating fan feedback we have come up with what is going to be an incredible final day of racing.”
Taking place on 18-24 August 2014, the host cities and stages of the 2014 USA Pro Challenge include:
- Stage 1: Monday, August 18 – Aspen and Snowmass Village Circuit Race
- Stage 2: Tuesday, August 19 – Aspen to Mt Crested Butte
- Stage 3: Wednesday, August 20 – Gunnison to Monarch Mountain (mountaintop finish)
- Stage 4: Thursday, August 21 – Colorado Springs Circuit Race
- Stage 5: Friday, August 22 – Woodland Park to Breckenridge
- Stage 6: Saturday, August 23 – Vail Individual Time Trial
- Stage 7: Sunday, August 24 – Boulder to Denver
Additional details regarding the start and finish locations of the 2014 race, as well as the specific, detailed route will be announced next spring.
Referred to as ‘America’s Race’, the USA Pro Challenge runs for seven consecutive days in August, as the world’s top athletes race through the majestic Colorado Rockies, reaching higher altitudes than they’ve ever had to endure. One of the largest cycling events in US history and the largest spectator event in the history of the state of Colorado, the USA Pro Challenge is back for 2014. Featuring a challenging course, the fourth annual race will spotlight the best of the best in professional cycling and some of America’s most beautiful scenery.
