Five of the biggest teams in pro cycling have been confirmed as participating in year one of the Quiznos Pro Challenge in Colorado, including four US ProTeams.
Garmin-Cervelo, HTC-Highroad, BMC Racing and Team RadioShack will be joined by the Italian squad Liquigas for the seven day, near-600 mile race, thus boosting its status and guaranteeing some very competitive racing.
“We have had so many ProTour and ProContinental teams lining up to compete in Colorado next year,” said Jim Birrell of Medalist Sports, who are the race organizers. “Signing teams of this calibre is a key indication that the Quiznos Pro Challenge will be one of the pre-eminent professional cycling events in the world.”
In total sixteen teams are expected to take part, totalling 128 riders in all. Other big name-squads will be confirmed in the future, while closer to the event the big-name riders will be finalised.
Amongst those the organisers will be hoping to take part in the August 22-28 contest will be prominent US riders Christian Vande Velde and Dave Zabriskie (Garmin-Cervélo), Tejay Van Garderen (HTC-Highroad), Taylor Phinney and George Hincapie (BMC Racing), Timmy Duggan and Ted King (Liquigas-Cannondale), and Team RadioShack riders Lance Armstrong and Levi Leipheimer. Armstrong has been involved in the organisation of the event.
“It’s exciting to see that the Quiznos Pro Challenge is already considered one of the most important races in the United States,” said Ellen Kramer, General Manager of the race. “Our goal is to connect new audiences in America with the sport of professional cycling; having several of the premier international teams already signed up is a huge step in that direction.”
Team RadioShack’s Johan Bruyneel said that the race is a major goal for his riders. “I'm glad to see we have the new race in Colorado – the Quiznos Pro Challenge. As the race has a privately funded title sponsor, I am convinced it will continue for years to come. U.S. and world cycling need such initiatives,” he stated.
“It is Team RadioShack’s job to show our support, appreciation and enthusiasm for these companies and those who are working to bring an international race to Colorado. It is an honour for us to start in this race, but we are more ambitious. We will be there with a strong team and aim to win.”
In addition to US riders, big foreign names will of course also be present. That said, the race’s overlap with the Vuelta a España and the desire for some of the sport’s top sprinters to prepare for the world championships may see Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad), current champion Thor Hushovd and US rider Tyler Farrar (both Garmin-Cervélo) heading to the Spanish tour. It runs from August 27 to September 18.
Whether or not they are there, the race will be see some of the sport’s top names slugging it out to win the first edition of the race. It will travel through Colorado Springs, Salida, Crested Butte, Gunnison, Aspen, Vail, Avon, Steamboat Springs, Breckenridge, Golden and Denver, and the mountains plus high altitudes involved will ensure it is a very strong rider who triumphs.
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2011 Quiznos Pro Challenge (full route details yet to be announced):
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