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Stage Preview: 2011 USA Pro Cycling Challenge

August 18, 2011 - Filed under: Team Garmin-Barracuda

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Starting Monday August 22nd in Colorado Springs, the USA Pro Cycling Challenge brings the best in professional cycling back to our high altitude playground in Colorado. The home team Garmin-Cervelo will be looking for a top result with a strong roster and close knowledge of the race route.

Prologue: 5.18 miles of pan flat to slightly downhill terrain from the Garden of the Gods to downtown Colorado Springs. This will be an all out drag race for the prologue specialists, but look for the true GC contenders to factor into the final results as well. Best place to watch? At the finish in downtown Colorado Springs.

Stage 1: This stage is the first of five long distance, high altitude stages through the center of Colorado. While Monarch pass is a gigantic climb, we feel like the desolate, wind strewn terrain in between Monarch and the finish in Crested Butte may play a role if the wind is up. GC riders won't attack on the final climb up to Mt. Crested Butte, but they will have to be attentive to avoid losing time in the final 3km. Best place to watch? At the Eldo (a sunny place for shady people) on Elk Avenue, near the intermediate sprint in downtown Crested Butte.

Stage 2: This is the undisputed queen stage at this years USAPCC. With two enormous mountain passes over 12,000 feet, this stage will produce 5-10 clear GC front runners when the dust settles in Aspen. What's interesting about this stage is the treacherous 21 mile descent from the top of Independence Pass into Aspen. We could see some surprises at the finish by non-pure climbers which may alter the GC for the remainder of the week. It's also important to note that it has snowed at 12,000 in late August in the past, so you never know what we might see during this stage! Best place to watch? At the top of Independence Pass with 20,000 other cycling fans!

Stage 3: The individual time trial up Vail pass is a classic Colorado ride and test of individual time trial skills. While this is not a pure hill climb (some riders may opt for TT bikes with disc wheels), this stage will favor the climbers or anyone who finished in the front group on stage 2. The winner of this stage could retain the race lead through the rest of the week. Best place to watch? Anywhere along the route of the time trial.

Stage 4: With the General Classification established after stages 2 and 3, stage 4 looks like a day for a field sprint. That said, it's hard to anticipate which teams who aren't going for the GC will work to keep the breakaway in check. Although this stage never goes lower than 6700 feet in elevation, this is the easiest stage of the race. Best place to watch? Downtown Steamboat Springs.

Stage 5: A near repeat of stage 4 with the exception of Rabbit Ears pass near Steamboat Springs coming around 15 miles into the stage. Rabbit Ears will be a good spring board for a breakaway of strong riders who are motivated for the stage win in Breckenridge. Wind and weather could play a huge factor on both stage 4 and 5, so the GC contenders will have to be ready to control the race and ride at the front if there is inclement weather. Best place to watch? Clint's Bakery, main street, downtown Breckenridge.

Stage 6: The race returns to a more "reasonable" elevation of 5200 feet in downtown Denver, and with only one climb coming at the beginning of this stage, we should see circuits in downtown Denver leading up to a super high speed drag race at the finish. This is a day for the pure sprinters, and the overall winner of the race. In what should be a fantastic day for spectators, it will be very fun to see pro cycling in the streets of Denver! Best place to watch? From the VIP tent at the finish!