Taking place on 19-25 August 2013, the 2013 USA Pro Challenge will feature 16 of the world’s top professional cycling teams, including UCI number one-ranked Sky Procycling, which includes 2012 Tour de France overall winner Bradley Wiggins and second place finisher Chris Froome. Comprised of UCI Pro, Pro Continental and Continental teams, the race will include some of the top talent in the sport.
Taking riders on a heart-pounding journey through the Colorado Rockies, the eight-day stage race will travel nearly 600 miles from Aspen to Denver.
“After featuring an impressive lineup of teams and riders for the first two editions of the USA Pro Challenge, the 2013 race will host the most competitive field yet,” said Shawn Hunter, CEO of the Pro Challenge. “Interest from teams continues to grow year after year, making the selection of these 16 even more difficult, but we looked at the stats and listened to the fans, and have put together a field that is going to keep things interesting down to the last minute of racing in Denver.”
Featuring teams hailing from eight countries, including the top-three ranked teams from the 2012 Tour de France, the USA Pro Challenge will test riders by taking them to unprecedented elevations.
“We’re really looking forward to the USA Pro Challenge,” said Carsten Jeppesen, Head of Technical Operations for Sky Procycling. “It’s a great race that has everything. With climbing, sprints and a time trial, as well as good crowds, it’s a mini-Tour – the kind of race we really like.
“We’ll certainly bring a strong team and there are some strong young American riders in Joe (Dombrowski) and Ian (Boswell) who would love to be there in front of their home crowd. It’s only our second race in the US and we aim to put on a good show.”
The complete list of teams** that will be competing in the 2013 USA Pro Challenge are:
UCI ProTeams
- BMC Racing Team (USA)
- Cannondale Pro Cycling (ITA)
- RadioShack Leopard Trek (LUX)
- Sky Procycling (GBR)
- Team Argos-Shimano (NED)
- Team Garmin-Sharp (USA)
- Team Saxo-Tinkoff (DEN)
UCI Professional Continental Teams
- Champion System Pro Cycling Team (CHN)
- UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team (USA)
- Team Novo Nordisk (USA)
- COLOMBIA (COL)
UCI Continental Teams
- Bissell Pro Cycling (USA)
- Bontrager Cycling Team (USA)
- Optum Presented by Kelly Benefit Strategies (USA)
- Jelly Belly p/b Kenda (USA)
- Jamis-Hagens Berman p/b Sutter Home (USA)
**Full team rosters will be announced closer to the race.
In 2012, with a lead change nearly every day, one of the closest professional races in US history came down to the final moments of the Individual Time Trial in Denver. This year’s race promises to be just as exciting with the top-three teams from last year returning, including overall team winner RadioShack Leopard Trek.
The Pro Challenge is welcoming three teams for their first appearance in the race, including Sky Procycling, COLOMBIA and Jamis-Hagens Berman p/b Sutter Home. Additionally seven veteran teams will be returning for a third time in 2013 – BMC Racing Team, Team Garmin-Sharp, Cannondale Pro Cycling, RadioShack Leopard Trek, Team Novo Nordisk (formerly Team Type 1), UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling and Bissell Pro Cycling.
“We always look forward to racing in the USA Pro Challenge every year,” said Jim Ochowicz, Team President/General Manager of BMC Racing. “It tests our team’s resources in the mountains of Colorado, which are famous in the world of cycling for their difficult ascents and descents. It comes at a great time in the season when most racers are in peak condition and eager to test their legs. The BMC Racing Team is ready to challenge for the overall race lead each and every day.”
Referred to as ‘America’s Race’, the USA Pro Challenge will take place on 19-25 August 2013 and travel through eight host cities from Aspen to Denver. 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.
After attracting more than 1 million spectators in 2012, making it 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 2013. Featuring a challenging, 599-mile course, the third annual race will spotlight the best of the best in professional cycling and some of America’s most beautiful scenery.
