We take a closer look at the third edition of the United States's fastest-growing stage race.
Preview of the third edition
Although the first edition was only run in 2011, the USA Pro Challenge is already one of the highest-profile races in the United States and for the first time this year, Team Sky will be among the seven WorldTour teams making the trip to Colorado.
Chris Froome is making his return to action following last month’s phenomenal Tour de France success, and he will be joined by American riders Ian Boswell, Joe Dombrowski and Danny Pate, as well as his Tour de France team-mates Peter Kennaugh, Richie Porte and Kanstantsin Siutsou. Josh Edmondson rounds out a formidable eight-man squad.
The route for 2013 comprises 920km of high-altitude terrain and here we take a closer look at what each stage will offer:
Monday 19 August – Stage one: Aspen/Snowmass to Aspen/Snowmass - 102.7km
The action gets under way with a lumpy stage featuring three laps of a picturesque 34.7km circuit to the north west of Aspen. Each lap comprises 939m of climbing with a steady drag up to Snowmass Village followed by two short, sharp climbs before the riders return to the centre of Aspen. A starting elevation of over 2400m, combined with the constantly-undulating parcours, will no doubt take its toll on the bunch and could catch a few riders unaware before a reduced bunch sprint in this world-famous ski resort.
TV coverage: Live on Eurosport between 2100-2300.
Tuesday 20 August – Stage two: Aspen to Breckenridge – 202.9km
If the general classification wasn’t shaken up on the first day of action, then it definitely will be here with two tough ascents to overcome before a sharp drag to the finish line. Independence Pass is up first after just 32km and tops out at a lofty 3656m, making it the highest climb in professional cycling. After a long descent into Buena Vista, the road rises steadily again through Fairplay and Alma before continuing over the Hossier Pass. If those climbs don’t thin out the bunch, the 15% incline on Moonstone Road should claim a few casulaties before another fast finish in the centre of Breckenridge.
TV coverage: Live on Eurosport between 2100-2300.
Wednesday 21 August – Stage three: Breckenridge to Steamboat Springs – 170.8km
The third stage should start predictably enough with a breakaway going clear on Swan Mountain Road. Their advantage should grow as they head north towards Kremmling, but from then on the permutations are anyone’s guess. The challenging climb over Rabbit Ears Pass could shell several big-name sprinters, but the fact that summit comes 32km from the finish means they could potentially have time to chase back on as the road winds its way back down into Steamboat Springs. Last year a bunch sprint did materialise, but it would be no surprise if an elite group did stay clear to duke it out for the spoils.
TV coverage: Live on Eurosport between 2100-2300.
Thursday 22 August - Stage four: Steamboat Springs to Beaver Creek – 165.6km
The Queen Stage of the 2013 USA Pro Challenge sees the riders head out through Routt County and over a series of small hills that should see a break go away before the race continues on to State Bridge. It is here that the road begins to rise steadily upwards, but once the riders have made it to Beaver Creek they are faced with arguably the toughest climb of the entire tour. The ascent of Bachelors Gulch is not the longest, but its 18% ramps will do real damage before a technical descent back down the other side. A final sting in the tail comes with another 2km drag to Beaver Creek Village and the victor here could well ride himself into contention for overall honours.
TV coverage: Live on Eurosport between 2100-2300.
Friday 23 August – Stage five: Vail to Vail (individual time trial) – 16.1km
The general classification is likely to be shaken up further with this challenging uphill time trial which winds its way up the Vail Pass. The course gets off to a relatively straightforward start before the gentle early slopes give way to a sustained climb over the final five kilometres. A well-managed effort will be key to success on this particular parcours and the standings at the end of today’s stage should give us a good idea of who will be in contention for overall honours.
TV coverage: Live on Eurosport between 2200-2300.
Saturday 24 August – Stage six: Loveland to Fort Collins – 186.6km
With a nailed-on sprint stage rounding things off on Sunday, this stage offers the last real opportunity for time gains to be made in the battle for the GC. The flat, windswept plains out towards Windsor could cause early echelons to form before the action really heats up along the Big Thompson Canyon and up Devils Gulch. Once the King of the Mountains classification has been wrapped up there, the race passes through Estes Park before dropping back down towards Fort Collins. The steep rollers around Horsetooth Reservoir could provide one last launchpad for potential attacks, but if no-one gets away on there we could well be greeted with a bunch sprint finish.
TV coverage: Live on Eurosport between 2200-2330.
Sunday 25 August – Stage seven: Denver to Denver - 116.5km
With the GC all-but decided, the focus will shift towards the fast men for this sprint-friendly finale along the city streets of Denver. The riders will take on eight laps of a 15.1km circuit which takes in downtown LoDo and the City and Civic Center Parks before a flat-out dash along Broadway. A few sharp corners will make for a technical run-in so those sprinters who have done their homework will fancy their chances of rounding things off with a bang.
TV coverage: Live on Eurosport between 1900-2300.
