After a sustained build-up, the inaugural USA Pro Cycling Challenge gets under way today and will be televised live to fans around the world through international broadcast partnerships with Eurosport, SuperSport and Premier Media Group. Beginning with the Prologue start in Colorado Springs today, 22 August, and concluding in Denver on 28 August, the race will be shot in HD and broadcast live to 161 countries and territories around the world.
Speaking at yesterday’s pre-race press conference Tour de France winner Cadel Evans (BMC Racing Team) said, “The climbs are reasonably hard but the altitude will be the biggest test for us. I’ve been here for a week and I’m hoping I can adjust in time.”
The race, which will feature 17 of the world’s best cycling teams racing for seven days over more than 500 miles of mountainous Colorado terrain, will be carried by the three international broadcasters to reach cycling fans in Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia, in addition to the previously announced US coverage by NBC Sports Group.
“Fans around the world now will be able to watch their favourite cyclists compete in the most demanding professional bike race ever held in America. This international exposure is unprecedented for a first year event,” said Shawn Hunter, CEO and Co-Chairman of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge.
“Through these partnerships, the majestic beauty of Colorado and all of the cities we visit along the seven-day route will be showcased to an international audience. The USA Pro Cycling Challenge will be a live postcard for Colorado and will highlight the growth of cycling in the US.”
The USA Pro Cycling Challenge is expected to be the largest spectator event in Colorado history and one of the largest sporting events to ever take place in the United States. Referred to as ‘America’s Race’ the inaugural USA Pro Cycling Challenge is expecting more than one million spectators at the event, as well as national television exposure on NBC and VERSUS.
Spectators of this race will see Olympians, World Champions and Tour de France competitors. Fans worldwide will have access to the competition and riders like never before with one of the most advanced, interactive online, smartphone and broadcast television experiences presented to date in professional cycling.
On being a host city for the race Steve Bach, Mayor of Colorado Springs, said “We are humbled and honoured as a city to be a host for the inaugural race – a race that is truly America’s race. So much electricity is in the air – you can feel it everywhere you go.
“We are a city of outdoor enthusiasts – we have hundreds of thousands of cycling enthusiasts here. We are a city of around 600,000 people and home to the US Olympic Committee (USOC) and USA Cycling. We are also home to 23 national governing bodies and the headquarters for US Air Force Academy. There is a lot of history here in Colorado Springs, yet this is truly a life changing event for our city – to host the USA Pro Cycling Challenge. We are truly honoured.”
