Major Pro Cycling Tour Returns To Colorado
The old Coors Classic has been gone since 1988, but pro cycling has finally returned to Colorado. This time it’s the Quiznos Pro Challenge, and by their own admission, will be ‘the greatest bike race ever to be held on American soil.’ The tour will cover 600 miles and will include mountain, sprint and downtown stages. The 11 cities selected to host a stage start and/or finish are Vail, Colorado Springs, Crested Butte, Avon, Gunnison, Breckenridge, Salida, Aspen, Golden, Steamboat Springs and Denver.
Many of the specific stage routes are still being worked out, but the stages are scheduled as follows:
August 22 – Prologue, Prologue time trial, Colorado Springs
August 23 – Stage 1, Salida to Crested Butte, mountain-top finish
August 24 – Stage 2, Gunnison to Aspen, mountain stage
August 25 – Stage 3, Vail, time trial, former Coors Classic stage
August 26 – Stage 4, Avon to Steamboat Springs
August 27 – Stage 5, Steamboat Springs to Breckenridge
August 28 – Stage 6, Golden to Denver
The event will bring in top European riders, and will give local pro riders a chance to race with a ‘home field advantage’. While there are some minor grumblings in the corners from Boulder residents about being passed over to host a stage (with valid justification, unofficially), most are heartily welcoming the return of pro stage racing to Colorado.
National Cyclocross Spotlight Shines On Colorado
U.S. gran prix of cyclocross from Jim Fryer/BrakeThrough Media on Vimeo.
For Colorado cyclists, Fall is cyclocross season. This year the New Belgium Cup in Fort Collins hosts the third of four stops on the 2010 US Gran Prix of Cyclocross, adding to the ever-growing popularity of the sport.
Professional and amateur riders will compete over two days at the New Belgium Cup, with Friday events including a kids ‘cross clinic and the numbers ceremony. Extra focus will be on Fort Collins local favorites, Georgia Gould, Meredith Miller, and dominating junior rider, Skylar Trujillo.
For those not as familiar with the sport, cyclocross might be to cycling what cross country is to running – only grittier. Races are a series of laps over varied terrain, which may include sand, grass, mud, and the mandatory obstacles which riders must dismount, carry the bike, and run to get through. Cyclocross is a wonderful spectator sport, as the racers complete laps every few minutes, so there is always plenty of action happening right before your eyes. Spectators with cowbells (or the occasional vuvuzella) are common, and Nascar fans will appreciate the inevitable crashes.
In addition to standard obstacles, a course highlight features this year will be a ‘flyover’, a staircase on one side and ramp on the other that cyclists must traverse each lap… just in case the thighs aren’t burning quite enough!
So whether racing or spectating, don’t miss this chance to get out with the nation’s top junior, amateur, and professional cyclocross racers.
Specifics: The 2010 Greenware® USGP New Belgium Cup takes place on November 13 and 14 at 5757 South College Ave in Fort Collins and features two full days of amateur and professional racing. The event is free to the public but there is a $3 per day parking charge. For more information about the New Belgium Cup and the USGP Series visit www.usgpcyclocross.com. Registration for all races is available on BikeReg.com.
Lance Armstrong Pushes For Cycling Stage Race In Colorado
This just emerging from the rumor stage… 850 KOA radio is announcing that they’ve confirmed with Governor Bill Ritter that he and Lance Armstrong have had two meetings to discuss bringing a major stage race to Colorado. Gov. Ritter stated that they discussed the return of the Coors Classic, although it’s unlikely that Coors has been secured as a sponsor. In fact, among the topics discussed in the meetings was reported to have been potential sponsor support.
Other Colorado race directors have recently been looking at bringing in a new stage race to the state, but a major event has yet to be developed. The star power of Lance may be the ingredient needed to really give legs to such an event. His part-time residency in Colorado has helped to bring the spotlight to the state, especially legitimate when he actually races. His participation in races such as the Leadville 100 and 12 Hours of Snowmass brought national attention to the competitive Colorado mountain bike scene. And according to Lance’s Twitter feed, he convinced Levi Leipheimer to join him in this year’s Leadville 100.
Since it seems to make the news any time Lance pees (or doesn’t pee), we’ll certainly all be the first to know if anything develops…
Community Classic Bike Tour – Free Entry!!
Free Entry to the 22nd Annual Community Classic Bike Tour – May 17th
Racing Colorado is offering a limited number of free entries to this beautiful ride through the foothills of Larimer County. The ride starts in Loveland, and you can choose to ride 10 miles, 30 miles, 37 miles, or the full 62-mile course.
The “CCBT†is a great way to enjoy spring time on 2 wheels in Colorado. It’s also good training for other rides later in the season. For full details of the ride, click here.
“So how can I get the free entry?”
There are two options to enter the drawing. You may click here to complete a short survey about active events in Colorado. Alternatively, just add a comment to this or any post here on RaceBlog. Be sure to mention something like, “Hey, set me up with a free CCBT entry!” Note: Your email address will NOT be published and will only be used to contact winners (so be sure to include an email that you check regularly).
Boulder Cyclist Phinney Takes World Cycling Title
Colorado cyclist, Taylor Phinney, continues to excel at a very young age. He took the pursuit title at the track cycling world champs in Poland, then pulled out a silver in his backup race, the 1km. In breaking his own American pursuit record set a month ago, he became the first American track champion in 13 years.
At 18 years old, Taylor has achieved a lot of success at an early age. Hopefully it’s a sign of more to come in future years. More to come from Poland…
For those of you who Twitter, check him out at www.twitter.com. He’s pretty prolific, and drops a few gems now & then like “the kilo is hard..” Take a look at http://twitter.com/taylorphinney
Keep slayin’ ‘em, Taylor!
Upcoming Colorado Events- Ralston Creek Half Marathon
- Valentine`s Day 5K
- 3W Heart Throb Run 5K
- Cupid`s Undie Run
- Love `em or Leave `em Valentine`s Day 5K Run/Walk
- Dick`s Sporting Goods Loveland Sweetheart Classic
- Dick`s Sporting Goods Loveland Sweetheart Classic
- HRCA Sunday Bloody Sunday 5k Challenge
- Super Bowl 5K
- Gold Rush Nordic Race Series
- Super Sunday Fun Run 5K
- SnowDash Extreme 5K / Echo Mnt. Colorado
- 5 k Moonlight Snowshoe
Oakley Offer