Cycling’s biggest names join USA Pro Cycling Challenge

Cadel Evans, Andy Schleck and Fränk Schleck headline Colorado race along with top American rider Tom Danielson

USA Pro Cycling Challenge has confirmed that all three Tour de France podium placers—Australian Cadel Evans, who races for UCI ProTeam BMC Racing Team (USA) and brothers and Leopard Trek (Luxembourg) teammates Andy and Fränk Schleck are set to be at the starting line for the inaugural race, August 22-28. In a move that is unprecedented in U.S. cycling history, this stellar line-up, fresh off the Tour de France, will compete against each other next here on American soil.
In addition, the top American finisher, Boulder native Tom Danielson, who races for Tour de France team champion Garmin-Cervélo (USA), is confirmed to compete along with two-time Giro d’Italia winner Ivan Basso of Italy.
“The confirmed participation of the sport’s premiere athletes is a monumental achievement for the event in its first year,” said Sean Petty, chief operating officer for USA Cycling. ”It shows the interest and intrigue in what will prove to be an epic battle through the Colorado Rockies.”
“Our goal is to assemble one of the best competitive fields an American professional stage race has ever seen,” said Shawn Hunter, co-chairman of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge. ”This is a great moment of truth for the sport in America and for our race. To have secured such an incredible lineup of teams along with the greatest riders in the world is a credit to what the owners have committed to do in the event’s inaugural year.”
Evans and the Schleck brothers all finished in the top five in the hunt for the King of the Mountain jersey in the Tour de France, defining a skill that will prove instrumental as the diverse terrain of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge ascends more than two miles in elevation through the Rocky Mountains.
“I’ve heard good things about the race in Colorado and I know it won’t be easy. But I’m up for one more challenge,” said Evans.
Danielson will look to become the home-state hero of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge following his ninth-place finish at this year’s Tour de France.
“Starting last year when I heard the announcement of the race, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up,” said Danielson in a telephone press conference interview. “I’m looking forward to this race and giving it everything I have.”
Danielson is picked as one of the pre-race favorites to win and looks forward to the challenge on U.S. soil.
“I love racing in Colorado and the U.S., I couldn’t be happier,” said Danielson. “To be called one of the favorites is an honor.”
Decorated U.S. rider and Garmin-Cervelo athlete Christian Vande Velde said the excitement for the USA Pro Cycling Challenge is shared among the top international bike racers.
“Everyone’s excited about coming over and racing on the infamous climbs,” said Vande Velde.
Altitude is the name of the game on the two stages coming into and leaving the Gunnison Valley. Danielson believes the climbs of Monarch Pass, Cottonwood and Independence Pass compare to some of the Tour de France climbs in length and gradient. The big difference is the “extreme altitude.”
“I think the altitude is going to make a big difference,” said Danielson. “Once you hit your threshold, there’s really no recovery. The altitude is very difficult. You stand up out of the saddle and your muscles are burning.”
Danielson just rode the Independence Pass portion and admitted it stung.
“Here I am off the Tour de France and on Independence I was suffering a little bit,” said Danielson. “That climb is hard and it’s long. The last four miles are very difficult.”
But the race will not be won or lost in the mountain stages. Vande Velde believes they are just a set-up for success.
“There are five to 10 guys that will be close in the mountains,” said Vande Velde. “The two time trials will be the determining factor.”
Danielson agreed and feels the race starts with the opening day prologue, the Vail time trial will make a big day and the win could still be up for grabs on the final day.
“It’s going to be an exciting race from start to finish,” said Danielson.