The 2014 USA Pro Challenge professional cycling stage race, taking place on 18-24 August in Colorado, will feature an exhilarating new route that will include the race’s first-ever mountaintop finish on Monarch Mountain.
Taking riders to unprecedented elevations, higher than any of the Grand Tours (Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España), the race will be a heart-pounding journey through the breath-taking Colorado Rockies.
“We’ve set out to create the greatest professional cycling event in the US with the USA Pro Challenge,” said Rick Schaden, owner of the race. “The 2014 route will be a challenge for the riders and will provide plenty of great viewing opportunities for the spectators. This year is looking like it will be the best yet.”
The largest spectator event in the history of the state, the race will visit 10 official host cities for the starts and finishes of each stage, ranging from small towns to cities as large as Denver, with a population of more than 634,000.
The final stage should serve to break any previous single-day attendance records with a start in Boulder, one of the most bike-friendly cities in the US, two passes through Golden, which has brought out huge crowds in past years, and a finish in Denver, the state’s capital.
“Every year we strive to create a route that will challenge the riders in new ways, give spectators more opportunities to see some of the toughest athletes in the world and highlight new parts of Colorado,” said Shawn Hunter, CEO of the USA Pro Challenge.
“The mountains are such a big part of the USA Pro Challenge and we always have incredibly enthusiastic fans packing the summits, so we’re adding a new test for the riders this year, and a new viewing opportunity for our dedicated fans, with the Stage 3 mountaintop finish on Monarch Mountain.”
The two new locations joining the 2014 race – Monarch Mountain and Woodland Park – each offer breath-taking scenery that will add to the overall excitement. Reaching a top elevation of 11,542ft on Hoosier Pass, the race will include a total elevation gain of nearly 40,000ft over the seven days. Two new mountains – McClure Pass and Kebler Pass – will help reach that number.
“It looks to be the most challenging route yet,” said Tejay van Garderen, professional cyclist on BMC Racing Team and defending champion. “I have fond memories of many of the stages that are included in the route… most notably Aspen, which is my hometown, Crested Butte and Vail, where I took a stage victory last year. I don’t know the Monarch Pass ski resort, but it will be cool to have a tough summit finish. This route suits me well. I’m anxious to add another title to my resume.”
One of the most highly anticipated events on the race calendar, the 2014 USA Pro Challenge will test the riders’ strength and endurance over a 550-mile course. To give fans the opportunity to see their heroes up close and in action, each stage, with the exception of the individual time trial, will start with at least one circuit lap before leaving town.
Highlights of the route include:
- Stage 1: Aspen Circuit Race – Monday, 18 August
- Stage 2: Aspen to Crested Butte – Tuesday, 19 August
- Stage 3: Gunnison to Monarch Mountain – Wednesday, 20 August
- Stage 4: Colorado Springs Circuit Race – Thursday, 21 August
- Stage 5: Woodland Park to Breckenridge – Friday, 22 August
- Stage 6: Vail Individual Time Trial – Saturday, 23 August
- Stage 7: Boulder to Denver – Sunday, 24 August
“I am really happy to see the 2014 edition of the USA Pro Challenge return to my hometown of Boulder,” said Taylor Phinney of the BMC Racing Team. “The energy at the finish two years ago was unreal, and it is always special to race near home. This is one of my favourite races of the year and I hope to be able to participate since I missed it last year.”
