Marking one of the best fields ever assembled on American soil for a professional cycling race, the provisionary team rosters for the 2013 USA Pro Challenge have been confirmed and are headlined by the No. 1 and 2 riders in the world – 2013 Tour de France Champion Chris Froome (GBR) of Sky Procycling and 2013 Tour de France Sprint Jersey Winner Peter Sagan (SLO) of Cannondale Pro Cycling. Coming off a remarkable victory at the most storied professional cycling race in the world, Froome and his team will be racing in Colorado for the first time this year.
With a history of attracting the world’s top professional cyclists to Colorado, the USA Pro Challenge will take place August 19-25 and will travel through eight official host cities on a scenic tour through the Colorado Rockies. Emphasizing the competitive level of the field, the race will include six current national champions – Fred Rodriguez (USA), Hayden Roulsten (NZL), Luis Enrique Lemus (MEX), Michael Olsson (SWE), Michael Schär (SUI) and Peter Sagan (SLO). Additionally, the race will host six former Olympic medalists and multiple riders who have captured a stage win at the Tour de France.
“The diverse field of cycling stars participating in the USA Pro Challenge presents an opportunity to celebrate the sport of cycling on a global scale,” said Rick Schaden, owner of the USA Pro Challenge. “As the race continues to grow, we are seeing increasing enthusiasm from both the fans and the riders, and these impressive rosters are a testament to that.”
Schaden goes on to note, “The USA Pro Challenge is quickly becoming a globally recognized leader in cycling. Having the 2013 winner of the Tour de France is evidence of this race’s stature.”
The 2013 USA Pro Challenge will include five of the top-10 finishers from last year, including 2012 Champion Christian Vande Velde and second-place finisher Tejay van Garderen. Also featured will be other riders from last year’s final podium, with KOM Champion Jens Voigt and Best Young Rider Joe Dombrowski returning to defend their titles. Additionally, the current and former USPRO National Champions in road race will line up in Colorado (Fred Rodriguez – 2013, Timmy Duggan – 2012).
“This competitive level of the field for the 2013 USA Pro Challenge is by far one of the best that has ever raced on American soil,” said Shawn Hunter, CEO of the USA Pro Challenge. “Chris Froome swept headlines last month after winning the Tour de France and to have on the start line for the USA Pro Challenge will be amazing. The competition this year should be faster and tougher than ever.”
The elite professional roster of teams, which includes 128 riders from 31 countries, is comprised of seven teams that competed in the Tour de France, four Pro Continental teams and five Continental teams. Following is the preliminary complete list of riders that will be competing in the 2013 USA Pro Challenge.
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