The second USA Pro Challenge wrapped up in Denver yesterday, after a week of thrilling bike racing, with Christian Vande Velde of Boulder’s Garmin-Sharp squad taking the overall win and Boulder native Taylor Phinney of Team BMC winning the final time trial. Vande Velde, the 36-year-old American veteran who placed second overall in last year’s edition (and who was the subject of a 5280 profile in 2009), has frequently played a supporting role to other American stars, and the USAPC was his first big stage-race win since 2008, when he won the Tour of Missouri. But, as cycling blog Red Kite Prayer put it, “the real star of this race is the state of Colorado. California boasts more bike companies, more bike races, factors more of cyclists and roads than Colorado. But the Rocky Mountain State is to bike racing in North America what the Louvre is to art—its spiritual home.” And I would agree, without reservation, with that sentiment having experienced the race first-hand, with photographer Jefferson Panis, in a Mavic neutral-support car on Stage Six from Golden to Boulder. The roads, the scenery … and the crowds from Golden to Lyons to Boulder to the finale on Flagstaff Mountain were, in a word, epic. —Geoff Van Dyke
2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge: George Hincapie on his way to the start of Stage Six in Golden. By Jeff Panis 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge: Ivan Basso (center) and his Team Liquigas teammates en route to the start in Golden. By Jeff Panis 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge: Members of Team BMC headed to the start line in Golden. By Jeff Panis 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge: The start line in Golden. By Jeff Panis 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge: The breakaway makes its move on CO 93 between Golden and Boulder. By Jeff Panis 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge: Crowds lined the streets of Nederland. By Jeff Panis 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge: Descending into Lyons. By Jeff Panis 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge: Rory Sutherland gives Tim Duggan a little push on stage six. By Jeff Panis 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge: One of the riders from the stage six breakaway descending into Boulder. By Jeff Panis 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge: Massive crowds lined the streets in Boulder. By Jeff Panis 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge: Jens Voigt has the phrase “Shut Up Legs” emblazoned on the top tube of his Trek bike. By Jeff Panis 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge: The crowd on Flagstaff Mountain. By Jeff Panis 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge: United States national road-race champion Tim Duggan on the Flagstaff climb. By Jeff Panis 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge: Fans of all ages lined the Flagstaff Mountain climb. By Jeff Panis 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge: Jens Voigt nearing the top of Flagstaff Mountain. By Jeff Panis 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge: George Hincapie on his way to the start of Stage Six in Golden. By Jeff Panis 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge: Ivan Basso (center) and his Team Liquigas teammates en route to the start in Golden. By Jeff Panis 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge: Members of Team BMC headed to the start line in Golden. By Jeff Panis 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge: The start line in Golden. By Jeff Panis 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge: The breakaway makes its move on CO 93 between Golden and Boulder. By Jeff Panis 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge: Crowds lined the streets of Nederland. By Jeff Panis 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge: Descending into Lyons. By Jeff Panis 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge: Rory Sutherland gives Tim Duggan a little push on stage six. By Jeff Panis 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge: One of the riders from the stage six breakaway descending into Boulder. By Jeff Panis 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge: Massive crowds lined the streets in Boulder. By Jeff Panis 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge: Jens Voigt has the phrase “Shut Up Legs” emblazoned on the top tube of his Trek bike. By Jeff Panis 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge: The crowd on Flagstaff Mountain. By Jeff Panis 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge: United States national road-race champion Tim Duggan on the Flagstaff climb. By Jeff Panis 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge: Fans of all ages lined the Flagstaff Mountain climb. By Jeff Panis 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge: Jens Voigt nearing the top of Flagstaff Mountain. By Jeff Panis
