After a hugely successful inaugural run, the USA Pro Cycling Challenge announced Thursday the 12 host cities for the 2012 race. Don’t worry: the race will finish in Denver. (Whew.)

We’re not surprised that Boulder wrangled a stop on the tour, what with all the Ironman athletes and the high ratio of bicycles to cars. What is surprising is that Steamboat Springs is off the list. The town was both the end and start of stages in 2011 (pictured).

Here is the list of the 2012 host cities for the USA Pro Cycling Challenge:

Stage 1: Durango; Telluride

Stage 2: Montrose; Crested Butte/Mt. Crested Butte

Stage 3: Gunnison; Aspen

Stage 4: Aspen; Beaver Creek/Vail Valley

Stage 5: Breckenridge; Colorado Springs

Stage 6: Golden; Boulder

Stage 7: Denver

Do you like the new route?