The USA Pro Challenge kicked off yesterday in Steamboat Springs with the first of seven days of bicycle racing around Colorado. Boulder native Taylor Phinney (BMC Racing) charged over the finish line and celebrated not only the race, but confirmed his return to the top of his profession overcoming a career threatening crash 15 months ago.
Many refer to the USA Pro Challenge as the Tour of Colorado or Colorado as the race comes shortly after the Tour of Utah. To complete the big three in racing at the top professional level add in May's Tour of California. Bicycle racing in the United States runs the gamete from local races put on by local promoters, bigger races put on by state associations, and then even bigger regional races. Some regional races such as the Cascade Classic in Oregon or the Joe Martin Stage Race in Arkansas draw top US domestic teams, but it is the Tour of California, Tour of Utah and the USA Pro Challenge which attracts teams from around the world. Previous editions of the Pro Challenge featured former Tour de France winners, and this year's winner at the Tour of California, Peter Sagan (Tinkoff-Saxo) won his third consecutive sprinter's green points jersey in France this July.
Many refer to the USA Pro Challenge as the Tour of Colorado or Colorado as the race comes shortly after the Tour of Utah. To complete the big three in racing at the top professional level add in May's Tour of California. Bicycle racing in the United States runs the gamete from local races put on by local promoters, bigger races put on by state associations, and then even bigger regional races. Some regional races such as the Cascade Classic in Oregon or the Joe Martin Stage Race in Arkansas draw top US domestic teams, but it is the Tour of California, Tour of Utah and the USA Pro Challenge which attracts teams from around the world. Previous editions of the Pro Challenge featured former Tour de France winners, and this year's winner at the Tour of California, Peter Sagan (Tinkoff-Saxo) won his third consecutive sprinter's green points jersey in France this July.
The USA Pro Challenge has teams from Australia, Israel, and Spain and although there are less big name riders, the racing should be exciting as it was in stage 1. Stay tuned as the week progresses.
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