USA Pro Challenge Begins In Steamboat Springs
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4) - After as much as a week spent getting used to the altitude in Colorado's high country, many of the world's best cyclists departed Monday morning on the first stage of the USA Pro Challenge.
The fifth annual USA Pro Challenge started in Steamboat Springs and it will end next Sunday on the streets of Denver. Monday's ride is a two lap circuit race around the northern Colorado mountain town.
"The field is wide open this year, as the overall podium from 2014 is not competing in this event," said pro cyclist Lucas Euser, who will be reporting on the race for CBS4 sports this week.
"Notably missing is two-time winner of the Pro Challenge Tejay van Garderen of USA's BMC Racing Team," Euser said.
"The Aspen resident was primed for a podium finish at this year's Tour de France when a cold forced him out of the race in the third and final week."
The BMC team's Taylor Phinney is participating this year.
The Boulder resident overcame critical injuries suffered in a May 2014 accident and is back competing professionally again.
Australian rider Rohan Dennis and Italian Damiano Caruso are among the favorites in this year's race.
The challenge includes a women's race for the first time this year. That event will begin on Friday and last for three days.