The largest spectator event in the history of Colorado makes its way back to the state August 19th through August 25th. Some of the biggest names in cycling will battle it out over the steep mountain passes and along the beautiful rivers that grace this beautiful state. The 16 teams will converge in Aspen for the start of the 3rd Annual USA Pro Cycling Challenge. Three 22-mile laps with a total climb of 7,780 feet will welcome the riders to the state with a brutal day on the bike.
Stage 2 will start in Aspen and travel to the highest point ever reached in a professional cycling race over Independence Pass (elevation 12,095 ft.), through the streets of Buena Vista on its way to the thousands of spectators waiting their arrival in Breckenridge.
Stage 3 will be departing out of Breckenridge and may prove to be one of the toughest stages to predict. With long flat sections for the sprinters to shine and a grueling climb over Rabbit Ears Pass for the climbers to strut their stuff, this is really any man’s race. After the pass the riders will be welcomed by the wonderful locals of Steamboat Springs.
As the riders travel from Steamboat to Beaver Creek for the 4th Stage, they will encounter one of the toughest and steepest climbs on the entire tour. Bachelor Gulch might not be the most well-known climb, but with an 18% grade, it is one the riders will not soon forget. Ending with a 2km climb to the finish in Beaver Creek village, the race could be won or lost on this day.
The time trial comes on day 5 as the riders go all out on the 10 mile course which is almost entirely uphill.
Loveland will be the starting point for the 6th stage as the riders speed across the plains before climbing up to Big Thompson Canyon and Devil’s Gulch in the tour’s last King of the Mountain competition. The sprinters should control the day as they make their way to Fort Collins.
The final day is a flat out riot as the riders race around the streets of Denver. There will be plenty of action as the sprinters have their 
final say on how the leader board will read when it is all over. With astonishing speeds, they will leave everything out on the course in the last day of the race.
Make sure to visit one of the cities or mountain passes and see these pros in action. Cheer them on as they battle for the top spot on the podium each day and see who wears the yellow jersey as the Grand Champion when the final flag drops in Denver.
