Denver (Aug. 8, 2012) – Marking one of the best fields ever assembled on American soil for a professional cycling race, the provisionary team rosters* for the 2012 USA Pro Challenge have been confirmed. Taking place August 20-26, the race will travel through 12 host cities, taking riders and fans on a scenic tour through the Colorado Rockies. Emphasizing the competitive level of the field, the race will include six of the top 13 finishers from this year’s Tour de France –
Vincenzo Nibali (ITA) of Liquigas-Cannondale, Tejay Van Garderen (USA) of BMC Racing, Cadel Evans (AUS) of BMC Racing Team, Janez Brajkovic (SLO) from Astana Pro Team, and RadioShack-Nissan-Trek riders Andreas Kloden (GER) and Chris Horner (USA).
“The talented group of international and domestic cycling stars set to participate in the 2012 USA Pro Challenge is a testament to the growing stature of the race,” said Shawn Hunter, CEO of the Pro Challenge. “With Olympic medalists and Tour de France champions battling it out in the Rockies, this field is one of the best that has ever competed on American soil. The competitive level of this field is going to make for seven days of nonstop action; it’s going to be one great week of cycling.”
The USA Pro Challenge will include 10 of the top 12 finishers from last year, including the top 5. Also featured will be Taylor Phinney (USA) of BMC Racing Team who recently secured two fourth place finishes at the London Olympics. Three of the past four USPRO National Champions in road race (Tim Duggan - 2012, Ben King - 2010, George Hincapie - 2009) will line up in Colorado, as well as two former Giro d’Italia winners – Ivan Basso (ITA) and Vincenzo Nibali (ITA) of Liquigas-Cannondale.
