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.
Why I Have To Pass On All Of The World’s Most Expensive Bicycles
Think your dream bike is expensive? Citi Ergo has put together a list of “The 10 Most Expensive Bikes on Earth”. A couple of them look pretty good to me, but wouldn’t you know it… not the right size! Plus they probably all suck in the Colorado snow!
Guess I’ll have to pass this year.
Check out one of the descriptions:
The Aurumania Gold Bike Crystal edition is plated almost entirely plated with 24 karat gold… right down to the spokes. The Brooks saddle seat is made with the finest leather; and the hand sewn handlebar grips are made from, chocolate brown leather. The numbered badge is even made of high grade leather. This top of the line bike is called the “Crystal edition†because it is decorated with more than 600 Swarovski crystals… right down to the crystal encrusted Aurmania brand name emblazoned along the crossbar in Braille.
See the full post here.
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…
Upcoming Colorado Events- Ralston Creek Half Marathon
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