Wednesday, August 24th, 2011 by Raj Manickam
Breathtaking altitudes, treacherous climbs and 128 of the worlds best riders. It’s the most challenging race held on American soil.
The USA Pro Cycling Challenge is the most demanding bike race ever held on American soil, with racers experiencing breathless altitudes, day after day. The race is on the level of the Tour de France, bringing the high speeds, danger and adrenaline of professional biking to elevations over 2 miles high in some of the most picturesque terrain in the world—the Colorado Rocky Mountains.
According to a USA Today survey, Lance Armstrong has more influence than LeBron James. The cycling star recognized that professional cycling needed a race in the United States, on terrain that is unmatched in Europe or around the world. With altitudes and downhill peaks double what riders usually endure, the Colorado Rocky Mountains present a course that is as much a part of the race as the riders themselves.
*According to Encino (Calif.) E-Poll Market Research as published in USA Today Survey.
The USA Pro Cycling Challenge features the world’s top riders from teams such as RadioShack, HTC, Garmin and Liquigas. They will compete for their teammates, their fans, their families and themselves as they endure the highest elevations in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Traveling at blistering speeds, riders will risk it all in this high speed, high-adrenaline competition—with the fans there at every turn; up close and personal, with the action flying by, in person, and online.
At 12,000 feet, every breath brings in only two-thirds of the oxygen that you would get at sea level. If that isn’t enough, you have to factor in the temperature as well. Air temperature drops about 3.5 degrees for every 1000 feet of elevation gain. At 12,000 feet, you’re experiencing temperatures nearly 40 degrees lower than at sea level.
The USA Pro Cycling Challenge is supported by 11 passionate and dedicated Colorado Host Cities, each offering year-round promotion and marketing opportunities that talk specifically to an educated, upscale, decision-maker audience. These host cities form a unique and stunning backdrop to America’s Race.