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Race Info, Preview, Live Video, Results, Photos and Highlights
 Independence Pass, the second-highest paved mountain pass in Colorado at 12,095 ft is part of the Queen stage (Stage 2), Gunnison to Aspen. Interactive stage 2 map (photo credit: Steve Hill) |
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News and Updates for USA Pro Challenge 2011
August 29 update:
USA Pro Cycling Challenge organizers look to build on success
— velonewsPro cycling in Colorado gets a boost from USA Challenge — denverpostLiquigas makes it three in a row; Leipheimer wraps up the overall
Stage 6 results 1 Daniel Oss (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale 2:27:08 2 Elia Viviani (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale 3 Fred Rodriguez (USA) Exergy 4 Daniel Summerhill (USA) Garmin-Cervelo 5 Frank Kevin Pipp (USA) Bissell Cycling + 0:02 6 Robert Förster (Ger) UnitedHealthcare 7 Levi Leipheimer (USA) RadioShack 8 Sergio Henao (Col) Gobernacion De Antioquia 9 Rory Sutherland (Aus) UnitedHealthcare 10 Daniel Lloyd (GBr) Garmin-Cervelo General Classification after Stage 6 1 Levi Leipheimer (USA) RadioShack 20:00:24 2 Christian Vande Velde (USA) Garmin-Cervelo + 0:11 3 Tejay Van Garderen (USA) HTC-Highroad + 0:17 4 Thomas Danielson (USA) Garmin-Cervelo + 0:21 5 George Hincapie (USA) BMC Racing + 0:53 6 Rafael Infantino Abreu (Col) EPM - UNE + 1:14 7 Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing + 1:18 8 Stef Clement (Ned) Rabobank + 1:42 9 Bruno Pires (Por) Leopard Trek + 1:49 10 Rory Sutherland (Aus) UnitedHealthcare + 1:50
Leipheimer wins inaugural US Pro Cycling Challenge
— cyclingnewsLevi Leipheimer wins 2011 USA Pro Cycling Challenge as Daniel Oss wins finale in Denver
— velonewsWhat happened to the Tour podium? — anthonytan/sbs.au
23 Big Photos from Stage 6 — veloimagesAugust 26 update: This should be a ceremonial stage with a sprint finish after circuits in Denver See preview video for more:
See the race summary table (right) for the stage profile, map and timetable.
Stage 5 results: Elia Viviani (Liquigas-Cannondale) takes out another sprint win while Levi Leipheimer is one step away from winning the overall
19 Big Photos from Stage 5 — veloimagesStage 5 results 1 Elia Viviani (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale 4:04:31 2 Jaime Alberto Castaneda Ortega (Col) EPM - UNE 3 Daniel Oss (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale 4 Dennis Van Winden (Ned) Rabobank 5 Jeffry Louder (USA) BMC Racing General Classification after Stage 5 1 Levi Leipheimer (USA) RadioShack 2 Christian Vande Velde (USA) Garmin-Cervelo + 0:11 3 Tejay Van Garderen (USA) HTC-Highroad + 0:17
Viviani makes it two stages wins a row
— cyclingnewsViviani grabs his second stage win in USA Pro Cycling Challenge
— velonationTen Dam, Schleck smooth over tension after Breckenridge disappointment
— velonewsColorado power: Rory Sutherland’s race to Breckenridge
— velonews
Andy Schleck ‘sad to lose the race in the final 300 meters’ (02:46 English) — velonews 19 Big Photos from Stage 5 — veloimagesDaniele Callegarin's crash in Pro Cycling Challenge puts cattle guards in question — denverpostnote: nbcsports clips don't work with Windows IE in our player - use another browser
August 26 update: A big climb and descent of Rabbit Ears Pass at the start and then a gradual uphill finish in Breckenridge. See preview video for more:
See the race summary table (right) for the stage profile, map and timetable.
Stage 4 results: Elia Viviani (Liquigas-Cannondale) wins the expected sprint finish in Steamboat Springs
22 Big Photos from Stage 4 — veloimagesStage 4 results 1 Elia Viviani (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale 2 Michael Mørkøv (Den) Saxo Bank Sungard 3 Kenny Robert Van Hummel (Ned) Skil - Shimano 4 Robert Förster (Ger) UnitedHealthcare 5 Dennis Van Winden (Ned) Rabobank General Classification after Stage 4 1 Levi Leipheimer (USA) RadioShack 13:28:43 2 Christian Vande Velde (USA) Garmin-Cervelo + 0:11 3 Tejay Van Garderen (USA) HTC-Highroad + 0:17 4 Thomas Danielson (USA) Garmin-Cervelo + 0:21 5 George Hincapie (USA) BMC Racing + 0:53 6 Rafael Infantino Abreu (Col) EPM - UNE + 1:14 7 Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing + 1:18 8 Stef Clement (Ned) Rabobank + 1:42 9 Bruno Pires (Por) Leopard Trek + 1:49 10 Rory Sutherland (Aus) UnitedHealthcare + 1:50
Viviani storms Steamboat Springs
— cyclingnewsViva Viviani! Liquigas scores a field sprint win in Steamboat Springs
— velonews 22 Big Photos from Stage 4 — veloimagesnote: nbcsports clips don't work with Windows IE in our player - use another browser
August 25 update: Two modest climbs in the first half of the race before the long downhill run into Steamboat Springs. See preview video for more:
See the race summary table (right) for the stage profile, map and timetable.
Stage 3 results: Levi Leipheimer wins the Vail ITT and regains the overall lead
photo courtesy: Ricardo Moreno-Contro
21 Big Photos from Stage 3 — veloimages/moreno-controStage 3 results 1 Levi Leipheimer (USA) RadioShack 25:47 2 Christian Vande Velde (USA) Garmin-Cervelo 3 Rafael Infantino Abreu (Col) EPM - UNE + 0:04 4 Thomas Danielson (USA) Garmin-Cervelo + 0:33 5 Stef Clement (Ned) Rabobank + 0:40 6 Tejay Van Garderen (USA) HTC-Highroad + 0:51 7 David Zabriskie (USA) Garmin-Cervelo + 0:59 8 Jens Voigt (Ger) Leopard Trek + 1:01 9 Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing 10 George Hincapie (USA) BMC Racing + 1:11 General Classification after Stage 3 1 Levi Leipheimer (USA) RadioShack 10:30:29 2 Christian Vande Velde (USA) Garmin-Cervelo + 0:11 3 Tejay Van Garderen (USA) HTC-Highroad + 0:17 4 Thomas Danielson (USA) Garmin-Cervelo + 0:21 5 George Hincapie (USA) BMC Racing + 0:53 6 Rafael Infantino Abreu (Col) EPM - UNE + 1:14 7 Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing + 1:18 8 Stef Clement (Ned) Rabobank + 1:42 9 Bruno Pires (Por) Leopard Trek + 1:49 10 Rory Sutherland (Aus) UnitedHealthcare + 1:50
Leipheimer takes narrow victory in Vail
— cyclingnewsLevi Leipheimer wins Vail ITT, regains lead in 2011 USA Pro Cycling Challenge — velonewsDanielson goes down to food poisoning, sheds little time — velonewsTwo different men, two different bikes, same time in Vail
— velonews 21 Big Photos from Stage 3 — veloimages/moreno-contro More Photos — denverpostnote: nbcsports clips don't work with Windows IE in our player - use another browser
August 24 update: A slightly uphill TT, the same course used by the old Coors Classic in Vail. See preview video for more:
Vail time trial start times and order — velonewsSee the race summary table (right) for the stage profile, map and timetable.
Stage 2 results: Conservative racing on the climbs and the wet descent into Aspen allows George Hincapie to slip through for the Queen Stage win
19 Big Photos from Stage 2 — veloimagesStage 2 results 1 George Hincapie (USA) BMC Racing Team 5:26:10 2 Tejay Van Garderen (USA) HTC-Highroad 3 Thomas Danielson (USA) Team Garmin-Cervelo 4 Eduard Alexander Beltran Suarez (Col) EPM - UNE 5 Janier Acevedo (Col) Gobernacion De Antioquia 6 Bruno Pires (Por) Leopard Trek 7 Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team + 0:45 8 Lucas Euser (USA) Team Spidertech Powered By C10 9 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Team RadioShack 10 Jeffry Louder (USA) BMC Racing Team General Classification after Stage 2 1 Tejay Van Garderen (USA) HTC-Highroad 10:04:08 2 George Hincapie (USA) BMC Racing Team + 0:16 3 Thomas Danielson (USA) Team Garmin-Cervelo + 0:22 4 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Team RadioShack + 0:34 5 Christian Vande Velde (USA) Team Garmin-Cervelo + 0:45 6 Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team + 0:51 7 Janier Acevedo (Col) Gobernacion De Antioquia + 0:52 8 Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank Cycling Team + 1:04 9 Bruno Pires (Por) Leopard Trek + 1:08 10 Rory Sutherland (Aus) UnitedHealthcare + 1:09
Hincapie triumphs in Aspen — cyclingnewsHincapie wins thriller in Aspen as Tejay Van Garderen takes the lead in Colorado — velonewsHincapie motivated by USA Pro Cycling Challenge queen stage
— cyclingnewsVan Garderen prepared to defend yellow in Colorado
— cyclingnewsRider and Mavic carnage update in Colorado
— velonews 19 Big Photos from Stage 2 — veloimagesnote: nbcsports clips don't work with Windows IE in our player - use another browser
August 23 update: The Queen Stage of the race featuring Cottonwood Pass and Independance Pass (both at over 12000 ft elevation) before the technical run into the finish in Aspen. See preview video for more:
See the race summary table (right) for the stage profile, map and timetable.
Stage 1 results: Levi Leipheimer wins on Crested Butte after jumping with 400m to go
20 Big Photos from Stage 1 — veloimagesStage 1 results 1 Levi Leipheimer (USA) RadioShack 4:29:22 2 Sergio Henao Montoya (Col) Gobernacion de Antioquia + 0:04 3 Fränk Schleck (Lux) Leopard Trek + 0:07 4 Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing 5 Christian Vande Velde (USA) Garmin-Cervelo 6 Tejay Van Garderen (USA) HTC-Highroad 7 Javier Alexis Acevedo Colle (Col) Gobernacion de Antioquia + 0:10 8 Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank 9 Oscar Sevilla Ribera (Spa) Gobernacion de Antioquia 10 Thomas Danielson (USA) Garmin-Cervelo + 0:18 General Classification after Stage 1 1 Levi Leipheimer (USA) RadioShack 4:37:47 2 Christian Vande Velde (USA) Garmin-Cervelo + 0:11 3 Tejay Van Garderen (USA) HTC-Highroad + 0:17 4 Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing 5 Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank + 0:30 6 Brent Bookwalter (USA) BMC Racing + 0:34 7 Rory Sutherland (Aus) UnitedHealthcare Pro + 0:35 8 George Hincapie (USA) BMC Racing + 0:37 9 Thomas Danielson (USA) Garmin-Cervelo 10 Jeffry Louder (USA) BMC Racing + 0:41
Leipheimer stamps his authority on Colorado race
— cyclingnewsLeipheimer springs to stage win and lead at Mount Crested Butte
— velonews 20 Big Photos from Stage 1 — veloimagesnote: nbcsports clips don't work with Windows IE in our player - use another browser
August 21 update: The first of four mountain stage with an uphill finish at Crested Butte. See preview video for more:
See the race summary table (right) for the stage profile, map and timetable.
Prologue results: HTC-Highroad rides high on the first day of the first USA Pro Cycling Challenge
16 Big Photos from the Prologue — veloimagesPrologue results 1 Patrick Gretsch (Ger) HTC-Highroad 8:27 2 Christian Vande Velde (USA) Garmin-Cervelo + 0:02 3 Brent Bookwalter (USA) BMC Racing + 0:04 4 Robert Förster (Ger) UnitedHealthcare + 0:06 5 Jens Voigt (Ger) Leopard Trek + 0:07 6 George Hincapie (USA) BMC Racing 7 Levi Leipheimer (USA) RadioShack + 0:08 8 Tejay Van Garderen (USA) HTC-Highroad 9 Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing + 0:09 10 Ryan Roth (Can) Team Spidertech p/b C10 + 0:11
Grestch tops Colorado Springs prologue
— cyclingnewsHTC strikes first in Colorado with Gretsch’s prologue win; Vande Velde second — velonews 16 Big Photos from the Prologue — veloimagesnote: nbcsports clips don't work with Windows IE in our player - use another browser
August 21 update: A fast, five mile, downhill time trial into downtown Colorado Springs.
See the race summary table (right) for the stage profile, map and timetable.
2011 USA Pro Cycling Challenge Preview
August 22 update:August 21 update:
Danielson predicts “chaos” at Colorado tour; Schleck, Evans downplay rematch hype — velonewsEvans, Schleck and Basso say altitude is biggest obstacle in Colorado
— cyclingnews Photos from Pre-Race Press Conference — caseygibson/velonews Interview w/ Race Organizer Shawn Hunter (07:50 English) — NBC 9 Denver Race Build Up and Overview (02:19 English) — FOX 31 DenverAugust 18 update:
Provisional Startlist w/ Bib Numbers — steephill.tvAugust 15 update:
Course Preview: More than a climber's race — cyclingnewsAugust 8 update:
Gear up for Colorado's big race
— denverpostColorado cyclist (Danielson) a 'favorite' in Pro Cycling Challenge
— realaspenDanielson motivated to win USA Pro Cycling Challenge
— cyclingnewsHow to watch a cycling race on Independence Pass
— aspentimesJuly 29 update:
Tour de France winner Cadel Evans scheduled to race in USA Pro Cycling Challenge — denverpostCadel Evans confirmed for Colorado stage race
— velonewsJuly 24 update:
Horner to start USA Pro Cycling Challenge
— cyclingnewsThe inaugural USA Pro Cycling Challenge route has been announced
June 6 update:USA PRO CYCLING CHALLENGE INAUGURAL ROUTE TO SHOWCASE AMERICA’S TOUGHEST CLIMBS, DAILY DRAMA
— usaprocyclingchallenge
May 17 update:
U.S. Pro Cycling Challenge in Colorado includes two highest passes in cycling — denverpost
April 5 update:
Colorado stage race gets a new name
— cyclingnews
March 16 update: Given that Stage 3 is rumored to go over Cottonwood Pass and Independence Pass, I've produced an unofficial stage profile and map. Also, the stage 4 Vail TT is suppose to be the same as the Coors Classic TT. See the race summary table for links to maps and profiles.
10 teams confirmed,
6 to be named
March 15 update:ProTour Teams: BMC Racing (USA), Garmin-Cervélo (USA), HTC-Highroad (USA), Leopard Trek (Luxembourg), Liquigas-Cannondale (Italy).
Professional Continental: UnitedHealthcare, Team Type 1-Sanofi Aventis (USA), Skil-Shimano (Netherlands), Spidertech Powered By C10 (Canada).
10 Teams Named For Quiznos Pro Challenge — podiuminsightQuiznos Challenge adds Cancellara, Schleck brothers — denverpostLeopard Trek confirmed for Quiznos Pro Challenge — cyclingnewsThe ups and downs (pun intended) of a first year bike race
March 9 update:Close the Colorado Monument for a Bike Race? (2012 edition) — publicnewsservice.orgPro Bike Race Faces Big Policy Obstacle (2012 edition) — kjct8March 2 update:
Sizeable investment of $10 million put into Quiznos Pro Challenge — velonationWill county take bite out of Quiznos (helicopter) plan? — aspentimesFebruary 18 update:
What does Armstrong’s retirement mean to Amgen and Quiznos? — velonewsFebruary 3 update:
One bumpy organizational ride for Quiznos race planners
— denverpost
Host Cities and Stages Announced for 2011 Quiznos Pro Challenge
International Pro-Cyclists to Compete Throughout Seven Stages, 11 Host Cities, and Nearly 600 Miles of Colorado’s Most Challenging Terrain
November 4 update: The Quiznos Pro Challenge™ officially announced the stages, host cities and race format for the inaugural 2011 international pro-cycling competition at a press conference today held at the Colorado State Capitol in Denver. Running from August 22-28, the event will be made up of seven stages, traveling through Colorado’s most picturesque landscapes and visiting 11 Colorado host cities. Created to be the most challenging pro-cycling race in American history, the Quiznos Pro Challenge is set to cover nearly 600 miles of the region’s demanding terrain.
Colorado Governor Bill Ritter and Governor-elect and former Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper were joined by representatives from the 11 selected host cites including: personal coach to Lance Armstrong, Chris Carmichael (LOC Chair, Colorado Springs), Scott Damman (City Councilman, Salida), Leah Williams (Mayor, Crested Butte), William Buck (Mayor, Mt. Crested Butte), Jonathan Houck (Mayor Pro-Tem, Gunnison), Mick Ireland (Mayor, Aspen), Dick Cleveland (Mayor, Vail), Ron Wolfe (Mayor, Avon), Scott Myller (City Councilman, Steamboat Springs), John Warner (Mayor, Breckenridge), and Jacob Smith (Mayor, Golden).
Denver professional football legend and avid cyclist Shannon Sharpe spoke at the event to help convey the importance of the race and the announcement to the international sports world. Sharpe expressed his respect for international cycling and the endurance it takes to compete at a top level while on stage with professional cyclists Tom Danielson, Tim Duggan and Rory Sutherland, as well as Steve Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of USA Cycling.
The 120 world-class cyclists anticipated to participate in the seven-day race will begin their journey in beautiful Colorado Springs, then crisscross their way over the treacherous Rocky Mountains. The region’s unique topography will provide challenging climbs and extremely fast downhill legs with an awe-inspiring backdrop of several of the United States’ highest mountain peaks leading to the finish in Denver.
The 11 official stage start and finish communities that have been selected for the 2011 race include:
The 2011 Quiznos Pro Challenge Stages
August 22 – Stage 1, Prologue time trial, Colorado SpringsAugust 23 – Stage 2, Salida to Crested Butte, mountain-top finish
August 24 – Stage 3, Gunnison to Aspen, mountain stage
August 25 – Stage 4, Vail, time trial, former Coors Classic stage
August 26 – Stage 5, Avon to Steamboat Springs
August 27 – Stage 6, Steamboat Springs to Breckenridge
August 28 – Stage 7, Golden to Denver
“We are excited to welcome sports fans and the international cycling community to many of Colorado’s most beautiful regions,” said Governor Ritter. “The Quiznos Pro Challenge will provide a majestic tour of many of the state’s natural treasures while becoming the battleground for one of the world’s most intense competitions.”
The initial idea to bring a major stage race back to Colorado is credited to Quiznos Pro Challenge partner Lance Armstrong who expressed interest to Governor Ritter last year. The Quiznos Pro Challenge is now expected to become one of the most significant international pro-cycling events worldwide, created to reinvigorate the legacy of the Colorado-based Coors International Bicycle Classic which took place from 1979 until 1988. The official race routes for the 2011 event are in the process of being charted and will be announced in the near future.
“We had so much interest from incredible cities across Colorado that we could hold an event of twice the duration, said Ellen Kramer, Quiznos Chief Communications Officer. “We worked diligently throughout the selection process to incorporate cities that provide terrain that is unique to Colorado and delivers one of the most exciting cycling events in the world. The selected cities will make excellent partners and provide a demanding course for the world’s top cyclists.”
Highlights from the host cities announcement (05:42) Lance Armstrong announces the formation of the Quiznos Pro Challenge stage race in Colorado (08:39 last August)Pro cycling returns to Colorado, as route set for Quiznos Pro Challenge — denverpostQuiznos Pro Challenge not one for the sprinters — cyclingnewsQuiznos Pro Challenge Route Offers Lots of Climbing, and a few Twists — bicyclingOfficial Site
Tentative Google Route Map (coming...)Live Streaming Video, Text Updates and TV Coverage
 
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VERSUS Tour of Qatar
Eurosport Versus live cycling |
| media source | tv or internet | comments/restrictions |
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live video (english) |
English, unrestricted; online video with tourtracker from the official source |
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live video (english) tv schedule |
United States only; live coverage and nightly rebroadcasts on tv. |
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live video (english) tv schedule (british) |
English; daily live coverage in the UK. The stage 1 is live at 22:00 CET. |
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live video (english) tv schedule |
Australia; More details coming... |
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 steephill txt updates |
short text updates from any and everyone | check back at race time for more and updated links;  send a comment or a new live link |
August 8 update:
Fox Sports Australia will have live coverageJune 23 update:
Versus/NBC tv listings (USA) — usaprocyclingchallengeApril 4 update:
NBC plans live coverage of Quiznos Pro Challenge's final stage — denverpostMarch 7 update:
The Quiznos Challenge will be aired live on Versus. More details to come. — Steve
Colorado cycling on Versus — denverpost2011 Route Map
Unofficial Route Map — denverpost