Professional Cycling For the Fans - 2012 USA Pro Challenge in Colorado dates and cities announced

Monday, Aug. 20 - Durango to Telluride
Tuesday, Aug. 21 - Montrose to Crested Butte/Mt. Crested Butte
Wednesday, Aug. 22 - Gunnison to Aspen
Thursday, Aug. 23 - Aspen to Beaver Creek
Friday, Aug. 24 - Breckenridge to Colorado Springs
Saturday, Aug. 25 - Golden to Boulder
Sunday, Aug. 26 - Denver (Individual Time Trial)

Let's hear it, CO people. Is there potential for a real summit finish this time?

The Gunnison stage (Stage 3) is supposed to be the same as last year's Stage 2.

http://media.cyclingnews.com/2011/08/16/1/stage_2_profile_600.png

That's the one where Hincapie won the stage and Leipheimer lost time on the descent.

I plan on being near the top of Coal Creek Canyon Rd. Sat morning.

Let's hear it, CO people. Is there potential for a real summit finish this time?

Stage 5, Breckenridge to Colorado Springs. This stage could end by going up Pikes Peak, topping out at 14,110ft, which isn't too far from Colorado Springs. If you're in the Colorado
Springs Chamber of Commerce and you want your city's name associated with Pikes Peak, this is the way to do it. If they do decide to finish at the summit of Pikes Peak, look for HUGE crowds and a Colombian out front at the end.

This would also explain why Stage 4, Aspen to Beaver Creek, looks like little more than a transfer stage. We actually drove this route last year to get to Vail after the Gunnison to Aspen stage (we camped on Independence Pass), and as best I recall it's scenic but there won't be anything selective on this route.

The rumor is that Stage 1, Durango to Telluride, will go through Mancos and Dolores then over Lizard Head Pass (10,222ft). Lizard Head Pass from the west side is a long, but steady climb. I can't see this stage being too selective. A breakaway of non-favorites might be allowed to get away on the climb, but the descent into Telluride should see the favorites finishing together. The alternative, going from Durango to Telluride via Hwy 550, would take the race over Coal Bank Pass (10,660ft), Molas Pass (10,889ft), Red Mountain Pass (11,075ft), Dallas Divide (8970ft), and finish with a 15km haul up the road to Telluride. That would be brutal for the first day, so I doubt they'll be doing that.

I bet they won't go up Pike's Peak, but that would be awesome.

Stage 1 thru Ridgeway would be amazing. I'm hoping for that. I don't see that as too brutal for a pro race - 120 miles and 10K' climbing isn't out of line.

I have no idea what they'll do with stage 6 - anything could happen!

In any case, it all looks better than last year. Can't wait to hear the actual routes!

Velonews.com takes a look at possible routes for each stage, and suggests that Boulder may feature the sought for summit finish: http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/12/news/2012-usa-pro-challenge-it-will-go-down-to-the-wire_199490

Even though there was speculation earlier this year about the race taking on a 14er, no mention of any such climb in anything that I've read so far.

If I buy a touring bike by August I'm considering a week long tour from Durango to Denver, following the whole race. Looking forward to it, although there is so much more potential for these routes.

Hey Kind Of Blued - If you do that, I'd be interested in hearing about your plans.