Host Cities and Stages Announced for 2011 Quiznos Pro Challenge

DENVER, Colo.-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). 

“When Governor Ritter told me about the idea to host a major cycling tour in Colorado I smiled and nodded enthusiastically and said 'good idea',” Said Governor Elect Hickenlooper. “But to myself, I was thinking 'he’ll never pull this off'. I was wrong.”

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.

“This is a great opportunity to bring the best US athletes back to US soil to compete at against the worlds best cyclists,” said Steve Johnson.

“I excited to have the chance to race at this level in my own backyard,” added Colorado Native and top US pro cyclist Tom Danielson. “There will be a lot of pressure but I plan to channel it and hopefully deliver a win. I stoked to show the world Colorado and what we have here in terms of 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 Springs

August 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 trail, 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

The actual routes have not officially been announced but sources tell us the Stage 3 form Gunnison to Aspen will take riders over both Cottonwood and Independence passes and riders will be climbing the unpaved side of Cottonwood pass, topping out at over 12,000 feet.

“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.”

To keep in touch with the latest news and updates on the Quiznos Pro Challenge, visit www.quiznosprochallenge.com.  

Pro racer Tom Danielson matches guns with retired Broncos Star Shannon Sharpe.	Danielson in the limelight.	Representatives from the 11 host communities for the 2011 Quiznos Pro Challenge.
USA Cycling CEO Steve Johnson speaks of the potential for the event to change cycling in the USA forever.	Mt. Crested Butte Mayor William Buck with Medalist Sports' Ellen Kramer	Denver Mayor and Governor Elect John Hickenlooper with Elen Kramer.

Rory Sutherland, Tim Duggan, Tom Danielson Interview by BoulderVideo:

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