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01 August 2012

2012 USA Pro Cycling Guide for Fans

2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge - Fan Information Page

 2013 Race Update, please go to the Pedal Dancer Guide Page: USA PRO CHALLENGE
You are currently on an archived version of the 2012 race: 2012 USA Pro Cycling Guide for Fans
For an archived version of the 2011 race, go to: 2011 USA Pro Cycling Challenge - Fan Information Page

2012 posts and pictures by Pedal Dancer about the USA Pro Challenge

2012 posts by Pedal Dancer® - after the race
2012 posts by Pedal Dancer® - at the race
2012 posts by Pedal Dancer® - pre-race
Looking back at the race in 2012  - who won:

2012 Final General Classification
1   Christian VandeVelde (GARMIN-SHARP) 25:57:34
2   Tejay van Garderen (BMC RACING) + 0:21
3   Levi Leipheimer (OMEGA PHARMA-QUICKSTEP)+ 0:24
4   Andreas Kloden (RADIOSHACK-NISSAN) + 1:08
5   Janez Brajkovic (ASTANA) + 1:14
6   Jakob Fuglsang (RADIOSHACK-NISSAN) + 1:24
7   Thomas Danielson (GARMIN-SHARP) + 1:28
8   Matthew Busche (RADIOSHACK-NISSAN) + 1:32
9   Peter Stetina (GARMIN-SHARP) + 1:39
10 Joe Dombrowski (BONTRAGER) + 1:40
* Joe Dombrowski now rides for SKY Procycling

2012 Jersey Winners

 Yellow (Overall) - Christian VandeVelde
Green (Sprint) - Tyler Farrar
Red (Mountain) - Jens Voigt
Blue (Young) - Joe Dombrowski

Final Podium  ©Photo by Karen at PedalDancer®
Best Team
Best Team - RadioShack-Nissan-Trek    ©Photo by Karen at PedalDancer®

Photos from 2012 USA Pro Challenge
Photos from 2012 USA Pro Challenge by Pedal Dancer
Fans waiting for the race on Independence Pass in 2012. ©Photo by Karen at PedalDancer®
Beautiful Colorado! Telluride in 2012. ©Photo by Karen at PedalDancer®
 Day one done. ©Photo by Karen at PedalDancer®
Ted King in Telluride ©Photo by Karen at PedalDancer®

At the start line in Breckenridge  ©Photo by Karen at PedalDancer.com
Christian Vande Velde  ©Photo by Ron Long for PedalDancer.com
Joe   ©Photo by Karen at PedalDancer.com
Ivan Basso   ©Photo by Ron Long for PedalDancer.com
Taylor  ©Photo by Ron Long for PedalDancer.com
Jens Voigt's smile  ©Photo by Karen at PedalDancer.com
Garmin-Sharp-Barracuda's Tyler Farrar, Lachlan Morton, Nathan Haas   ©Photo by Karen at PedalDancer.com
Damiano Caruso and Christian Vande Velde sure look like they were enjoying themselves    
©Photo by Karen at PedalDancer.com
Podium Girls 2012 with Tom Danielson  ©Photo by Karen of PedalDancer.com
Honest respect   ©Photo by Karen of PedalDancer.com
An emotional Tejay on the final podium in Denver. He is a true fighter.    ©Photo by Karen of PedalDancer.com
The youthful joy of Taylor Phinney   ©Photo by Karen of PedalDancer.com
A successful and grateful Tyler Farrar (with the Mayor of Denver)  ©Photo by Karen at PedalDancer.com
And some champagne   ©Photo by Karen of PedalDancer.com

Jens Voigt  ©Photo by Laurie Valaer for PedalDancer.com

©Photo by Laurie Valaer for PedalDancer.com
Dave Zabriskie  ©Photo by Laurie Valaer for PedalDancer.com
Jakob Fuglsang ©Photo by Laurie Valaer for PedalDancer.com
Levi Leipheimer  ©Photo by Laurie Valaer for PedalDancer.com
® 
Jens Voigt    ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®
©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®
©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®
Tejay Van Garderen ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®
Tom Danielson and Ivan Basso ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®
This was Jen's final view to the finish line before his big win in Beaver Creek
©Photo by Karen at PedalDancer.com
The Go Timmy Duggan Fan Club (who also happen to be his family)  ©Photo by Karen at PedalDancer.com
Jens Voigt wins Stage 4 of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge  ©Photo by Karen at PedalDancer.com
Tejay Van Garderen would take yellow this day ©Photo by Ron Long for PedalDancer.com
©Photo by Ron Long for PedalDancer.com
Ivan Basso   ©Photo by Ron Long for PedalDancer.com
Tejay being pushed by Georges  ©Photo by Karen at PedalDancer.com
Tejay van Garderen    ©Photo by Karen at PedalDancer.com
Tom Danielson on Independence Pass    ©Photo by Mike for PedalDancer.com
Peter Stetina  ©Photo by Karen at PedalDancer.com
Stage 3 of 7 and Cadel Evans looked so tired  ©Photo by Ron Long for PedalDancer.com
Tyler Farrar   ©Photo by Karen of PedalDancer.com
Vincenzo Nibali  ©Photo by Karen of PedalDancer.com
Ted King  ©Photo by Karen of PedalDancer.com
USA Pro Challenge Podium Girls Leah and Holly  ©Photo by Karen of PedalDancer.com
Shawn Hunter ©Photo by Karen of PedalDancer.com
The fans in Telluride  ©Photo by Karen of PedalDancer.com
Tyler Farrar wins Stage 1  ©Photo by Karen of PedalDancer.com
 Race Director Jim Birrel pushing Matthew Busche  ©Photo by Karen at PedalDancer.com
USA Pro Cycling Challenge Prize Money

2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge Route and Stages

About the Race
Dates: August 20-26, 2012
Official website: http://www.usaprocyclingchallenge.com/   

2012 Race Logistics posts by Pedal Dancer

Important links:
  • Buy fan clothing 
  • Buy VIP passes
  • Be a Volunteer
  • Thank you Sponsors
2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge host cities
Monday, Aug. 20: Stage 1, Durango – Telluride
Tuesday, Aug. 21:  Stage 2, Montrose – Crested Butte/Mt. Crested Butte
Wednesday, Aug. 22:  Stage 3, Gunnison – Aspen
Thursday, Aug. 23:  Stage 4, Aspen – Beaver Creek/Vail Valleys
Friday, Aug. 24:  Stage 5, Breckenridge – Colorado Springs
Saturday, Aug. 25:  Stage 6, Golden – Boulder
Sunday, Aug. 26:  Stage 7, ITT Denver 
 
USPCC Host City Guides (these are very good this year)
USA Pro Cycling Page for Durango 
USA Pro Cycling Page for Telluride 
USA Pro Cycling Page for Montrose 
USA Pro Cycling Page for Crested Butte 
USA Pro Cycling Page for Gunnison 
USA Pro Cycling Page for Aspen 
USA Pro Cycling Page for Beaver Creek   
USA Pro Cycling Page for Breckenridge 
USA Pro Cycling Page for Colorado Springs 
USA Pro Cycling Page for Golden 
USA Pro Cycling Page for Boulder 
USA Pro Cycling Page for Denver 

Facts
  • 7 day race  
  • 3 mountain top finishes, 1 time trial
  • 16 teams, 8 riders per team, 128 total riders 
  • 683-mile course
  • more than 42,000 ft. of vertical climbing
  • exceeding 12,000 ft. elevation
  • Twitter username @USAProChallenge  #USAPRO 
  • Facebook page USA Pro Cycling Challenge  
  • Website http://www.usaprocyclingchallenge.com/  
  • Email experience@usaprocyclingchallenge.com  
  • or info@usaprocyclingchallenge.com  
  • Phone 303-991-3093 
  • Road Closures: http://www.cotrip.org/content/usapcc/
TEAMS - 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge

UCI ProTeams
Astana Pro Team (KAZ)
BMC Racing Team (USA)
Garmin-Sharp-Barracuda (USA)
Liquigas-Cannondale (ITA)
Omega Pharma-QuickStep (BEL)
RadioShack-Nissan-Trek (LUX)
UCI Professional Continental Teams
Champion System Pro Cycling Team (CHN)
RusVelo (RUS) and select translate page
Team SpiderTech powered by C10 (CAN)
Team Type 1-SANOFI (USA)
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team (USA)
UCI Continental Teams
Bontrager Livestrong Team (USA)
EPM-UNE (COL)
Optum Pro Cycling p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies (USA)
Team Exergy (USA)
Bissell Pro Cycling (USA)

2012 posts by PedalDancer.com
Study up as fans:
THE ROUTE OF THE 2012 USA PRO CYCLING CHALLENGE
2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge Route Map
About the Race

 The event is called a stage race (UCI 2.HC). The same group of riders will race day after day for 7 days, from city to city across the state of Colorado, with no rest day. Although the Grand Tours in Europe (Tour de France, Giro d'Italia, Vuelta a Espana) are up to 3-weeks in length, and the Tour of California is an 8-day race extending over 2 weekends, the Colorado tour is a 1-week race from Monday August 20th through Sunday August 26th. Opportunities to be a fan along the route abound and are free (unless you would like to pay for a VIP package experience). The race was very popular with riders last year, who gave overwhelming praise for the organization of the race, and said they looked forward to coming back in 2012. 
An introduction written by the Organizers of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge
"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 as they ascend over three mountain passes, each exceeding 12,000 ft. in elevation. After attracting more than 1 million spectators in 2011, making it one of the largest cycling events in U.S. history, the USA Pro Challenge is back for 2012. Featuring a challenging, 683-mile course with more than 42,000 ft. of vertical climbing, the second annual race will spotlight the best of the best in professional cycling and some of America’s most beautiful scenery. Referred to as “America’s Race,” the USA Pro Challenge will take place August 20-26, 2012, a week proclaimed by Governor John Hickenlooper as “Colorado Cycling Holiday,” and travel through 12 host cities from Durango to Denver. More information can be found online at www.USAProCyclingChallenge.com and on Twitter at @USAProChallenge."

TV Coverage for the 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge (Colorado MDT times)
2012 Pro Cycling Challenge Live and delayed TV Coverage
Behind the scenes stories at 1:30 p.m. (NBC Sports Network) 
August 19 at 1:30 p.m. 1 hour pre-show (NBC Sports Network) 
August 20-24 at 2 p.m. (NBC Sports Network) 
August 25 at 12-2 p.m. (NBC), also at 2-4 p.m. (NBC Sports Network)
August 26 at 12-2 p.m. (NBC Sports Network), also at 2-4 p.m. (NBC)
August 27 re-air Stage 6 at 4-6 p.m. (Universal Sports)
August 28 re-air Stage 7 at 4-6 p.m. (Universal Sports)
Highlights nightly at 9 p.m.
NBC TV coverage of USA Pro Cycling Challenge Official USPCC website information

 Road Closures for the 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge 

 Road closures are a key concern, detailed information may be found here regarding roads, direction of traffic halted, and times: http://www.cotrip.org/content/usapcc/  Once you are on the website, please select from the Stage tabs on the page to see the road closures affecting roads near each stage.

CDOT has created an excellent website for fans regarding travel advisories for roads on the race route.  http://www.cotrip.org/content/usapcc/   For a highlight of important facts you need to know about road closures during the race read: Road and Pass closures for USA Pro Cycling Challenge.

DRIVERS 
 
This section is intended to help you enjoy the race while understanding that the most important goal of race organizers is to keep the riders and citizens safe. You goal is to allow enough time to be safe to others, not be disappointed, and arrive relaxed and ready to have FUN!  Being out on the road as a fan is a fabulous experience, being in the mountains of Colorado is even better!
Full road closures: No traffic is allowed on the course other than official race vehicles. The routes of the Individual Time Trial on Stage 7 in Denver will have full road closure (closed all of the time). This is to allow for a constant stream of cyclists along the route. Certain mountain top roads might be fully closed to car traffic.
Rolling road closures Most other stages will have rolling full road closures. These will be expertly coordinated by race organizers and police, and should only close the road for 20-30 minutes as the caravan/convoy moves down the road. Non-tour vehicles will be allowed to precede the race and follow the race. Any on-coming traffic headed toward the race will be pulled over by motorcycle police. 
Full closure means that all lanes of traffic will be cleared from the road, in both directions. All side traffic attempting to enter the road will be stopped until the race (and all support vehicles) passes through. 
Mountain Pass Closures: mountain passes are generally closed for the duration of time it takes one car to complete the entire distance over the pass, and then double that time for complete safety. The exception is Cottonwood Pass that will close the night before the race to allow for work to be completed on the gravel road to reduce the washboard (bumpy road).
 
Cycling in Colorado
Weather in Colorado: Mountains - Cool nights (50s), crisp mornings, bright clear sunburn hot mid-day temperatures (80s), afternoon rain showers, fantastic evenings. Denver hot and dry (80s-90s).
Riding in Colorado: When riding a bike in Colorado, safely estimate 14-16mph, as your average ride speed to allow for stops, regrouping, picture taking, weather, finding water (no domestiques) and food (no feed zones for you). Add in our famous altitude as an explanation for slower climbing speeds, and you realize why it is geographically and physiologically improbable to do it all on most stages. There are also long stretches of road in Colorado without water or facilities. Roads along the race route will have rolling closures, sag support vehicles may not be able to accompany their cyclists at every point on the stage. Mountain passes will experience full road closures hours before (or even the night before) the race. Riding to and from stages on a bike is highly recommended. Also getting in a good ride before or after seeing a stage could be great fun. 


2012 USA PRO CHALLENGE ROUTE AND FAN INFORMATION
Monday, Aug. 20: Stage 1, Durango – Telluride 
125.6 miles/202.1 km over Lizard Head Pass 
Route Map: Day 1/ Stage 1: Monday, August 20, 2012 
Stage-1 profile map 
Stage 1 Timetable.pdf 
Highways Impacted: State Highway 160, State Highway 184, State Highway 145
Stage Start Begins: 10am (Neutral Start at Main St. at 8th St.)
Stage Finish at: 2:57-4:27pm (Race Finish at County Courthouse)  
Durango City Website for the race, travel and event information   
Telluride City Website for the race, travel and event information 

Tuesday, Aug. 21:  Stage 2, Montrose – Crested Butte/Mt. Crested Butte 
99.2 miles/159.6 km along rolling hills and Blue Mesa Reservoir, an excellent ride 
Route Map: Day 2/ Stage 2: Tuesday, August 21, 2012 
Stage-2 profile map 
Stage 2 Timetable.pdf  
Highways Impacted: US 50, State Highway 135
Stage Start Begins:  11:25am (Neutral Start at Pavilion/Kent Ave)
Stage Finish at: Approximately 3:19-4:29pm (Mt. Crested Butte) 
Montrose City Website for the race, travel and event information  
Gunnison City Website for the race, travel and event information   
Crested Butte City Website for the race, travel and event information  

Wednesday, Aug. 22:  Stage 3, Gunnison – Aspen 
130.5 miles/210.0 km over Cottonwood Pass, Independence Pass -west. The same route as 2011 Stage 2 
Route Map: Day 3/ Stage 3: Wednesday, August 22, 2012 
Stage-3 profile map 
Stage 3 Timetable.pdf  
Highways Impacted: State Highway 135, Cottonwood Pass, US 24, State Highway 82- Independence Pass
Stage Start Begins: 10:10am (Neutral Start at CO 135 and Virginia Ave.)
Stage Finish at: Approximately 3:11-4:41pm (Race Finish at Paepcke Park) 
Gunnison City Website for the race, travel and event information   
Aspen City Website for the race, travel and event information 

Thursday, Aug. 23:  Stage 4, Aspen – Beaver Creek/Vail Valleys 
97.2 miles/156.4 km over Independence Pass - east, Tennesee Pass, climb to the top of Beaver Creek resort 
Route Map: Day 4/ Stage 4: Thursday, August 23, 2012 
Stage-4 profile map 
Stage 4 Timetable.pdf  
Highways Impacted: State Highway 82, US 24, US 6
Stage Start Begins: 11:35am (Neutral Start on Main St. at Galena St)
Stage Finish at: Approximately 3:30-4:28pm (Race Finish on Village Rd.) 
Aspen City Website for the race, travel and event information    
Beaver Creek City Website for the race, travel and event information 

Friday, Aug. 24:  Stage 5, Breckenridge – Colorado Springs 
117.9 miles/189.7 km over Hoosier Pass 
Route Map: Day 5/ Stage 5: Friday, August 24, 2012 
Stage-5 profile map 
Stage 5 Timetable.pdf  
Highways Impacted: State Highway 9, US 2
Stage Start Begins: 10:50am (Neutral Start at Main St. and Washington Ave.)
Stage Finish at: Approximately 3:08-4:1pm (Race Finish at Tejon St. and Pikes Peak) 
Breckenridge City Website for the race, travel and event information    
Colorado Springs City Website for the race, travel and event information 

Saturday, Aug. 25:  Stage 6, Golden – Boulder [Presented by Nissan] 
103.3 miles/166.2 km up 119 to Peak to Peak Scenic Highway 72, down Hwy 7 to Lyons, south on 36 to Boulder, up Lefthand Canyon, up Lee Hill, into downtown and up Flagstaff.  
Route Map: Day 6/ Stage 6: Saturday, August 25, 2012 
Stage-6 profile map
Stage 6 Timetable.pdf 
Highways Impacted: State Highway 93, State Highway 119, State Highway 72, State Highway 7, US 36
Stage Start Begins: 11:10am (Neutral start on Washington Ave. at 12th St.)
Stage Finish at: Approximately 3:14-3:58pm (Race Finish at Flagstaff Amphitheater) 
Golden City Website for the race, travel and event information    
Boulder City Website for the race, travel and event information   

Sunday, Aug. 26:  Stage 7, ITT Denver 
A 9.5 miles/15.3 km final exciting individual time trial through Denver, the state capital of Colorado.
The course begins and ends at Civic Center Park and includes an “out and back” along 17th Avenue and a loop within City Park. 
Route Map: Day 7/ Denver Time Trial: Sunday, August 26, 2012 
Stage 7 Timetable.pdf 
Highways Impacted: None (no major highways, but local streets, yes) http://www.denver.org/usa-pro-cycling-challenge/images/denver-road-closures.pdf 
Stage Start Begins: 1:00pm
Stage Finish at: Before 4:00pm 
Denver City Website for the race, travel and event information

Pedal Dancer at the race

I am so excited to be able to attend the race again this year. Having a race of this caliber in my backyard is still a "pinch me is this real" experience. I will be a happy member of the  press again in 2012 and plan to show up early in Durango to enjoy the press conference and citizens ride. I wish I could go to the team presentation, but the $200 price tag is a bit pricey for me. I will see the Finish in Telluride, the Start in Montrose, be on Independence Pass with the fans for Stage 3, at the top of Beaver Creek for Stage 4, in the town of Breckenridge for the start of Stage 6, and in either Golden or Boulder for Stage 6 (at this point I am leaning toward the fantastic friendly atmosphere in Golden), and finally at the exciting festive time trial in Denver (my hometown). 
I hope to see you out there - please say Hi to me, and tell me your story of what you saw at the race. I learn from you.
Pedal Dancer 2011 Post Race Reports - USA Pro Cycling Challenge  

 Archived Page for 2011 USA Pro Cycling Challenge (link): 
Pedal Dancer Reports from the 2011 USA Pro Cycling Challenge
Blog Posts from 2011 about being a fan at the race