FRIDAY, August 21, STAGE 5 - Breckenridge Individual Time Trial
Where is the best place to see Stage 5 (and Stage 1 of the women's race) of the 2015 USA Pro Challenge as a fan? Today the answer is easy - anywhere. You will be treated to five hours of non-stop action during the Breckenridge Individual Time Trial. Fast bikes, fast racers, festival of vendors, activities, free concerts and all in a great mountain town. The women's Stage 1, begins at 10:50 am. The men's Stage 5, begins at 1:00 pm. This easy one-page guide is intended to help locals and tourists better plan for watching Stage 5 in Breckenridge, Colorado.
Please note that road closure times and exact finish times sometimes change closer to race day.
Find what you need to know about the USA Pro Challenge in Breckenridge, below in the following order: Stage 5 dates, stage information, start time, finish time, sprint location, KOM location, classification Jerseys, route map, climb profiles, race organization, city tourism, town websites, local events, road closures, VIP tickets, apparel, TV coverage, Tour Tracker app, media coverage, stage preview, recommendations, where to ride, results, current standings and photos.
THE ESSENTIALS
August 21st
Breckenridge, Colorado
Men and women race the same course for equal prize money.
8.4 miles. Each rider will be on course between 17 and 21 minutes total
Starters at 1-minute intervals, last 10 riders at 2-minutes
AMATEUR race begins at 10:00 am
WOMENS Stage 1 Start time: 10:50 am
WOMENS Stage 1 Finish time: 12:35 pm
MENS Stage 5 Start time: 1:00 pm
MENS Stage 5 Finish time: 3:50 pm
Please plan your early arrival to see the women's race
No Sprint or KOM points
Stage Schedule / Log Stage 5: streets and distances
The race in Breckenridge: gobreck.com
Breckenridge Stage 5 Finish Festival hours: 10:30 am - 5:00 pm
Big screen TVs located at the Riverwalk Center lawn
LEXUS CLUB VIP Hospitality open times TBD at Blue River Plaza
Pond Crossing fun at Dredge Pond: 1:00-2:00 pm
Podium Presentation typically 15 to 20 minutes after last finisher.
Free Concert with Los Lobos at Riverwalk Center 7:30 pm
Camping and Parking for Stages 2, 3 and 4 in Summit County: USDA Forest Service
Road closures: CDOT
Road closures in Breckenridge: gobreck.com
Parking easily accessible to the ski lots in Breck (diversion on Hwy 9 around Main St)
No dogs are allowed at any special events in Breckenridge.
Map of 2015 USA Pro Challenge Colorado
Beautiful Breckenridge. Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®
THE RACE
STAGE 5 - Breckenridge ITT maps - Individual Time Trial
Friday, August 21, STAGE 5 - individual time trial
The 1st stage of the women's race will take place on the same day as the men's 5th stage in Breckenridge. Be aware of early road closures.
Race Preview - Stage 5 USA Pro Challenge 2015
Nothing is better than hanging out along the road with a low heart rate and watching some of the best pro racers whiz by on a sleek time trial bike. Overall times will be within a four minute range. Seconds matter in a time trial and this time trial has up hills, at altitude with turns (and screaming fans). Short, sweet and oh will it ever hurt.
Women's Stage 1
The women's individual time trial will conclude prior to the men's satrt/finish, making an excellent opportunity for fans to see both the men and women race for equal prize money. Sean Petty will serve as the Race Director for the Women’s USA Pro Challenge. The women will race for three days, beginning inBreckenridge, they will race the same course as the men. They will race a modified course the next day from Loveland to Fort Collins preceding the men. The final women's stage will be based in Golden on Sunday, where a fast criterium will demonstrate diversity and speed.
I am really looking forward to seeing the women race. Unfortunately I must take a good friend in for her last (after 6 weeks!) cancer radiation treatment that morning in Denver, so I will miss the women's time trial in Breckenridge. It will not be from lack of interest, it will be from proper priorities for a dear friend. I wish them luck. I know it will be exciting to watch.
Continous excitement. Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®
THE TEAMS AND RIDERS
MENS TEAMS: Read much more about the teams selected in this Pedal Dancer® post: Which Teams will race in the USA Pro Challenge 2015? Official startlist of riders has not yet been announced by race organizers.
WOMENS TEAMS: Read much more about the teams selected in this Pedal Dancer® post: USA Pro Challenge 2015 Women's Teams Announced
This BMC Soigneur happens to be Kate Ochowicz-Hogan, the team's Marketing Director. Waiting to help riders after they finish. Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®
THE ROUTE
8.5 Miles / 14 Kilometers / 792 ft of climbing
Max Elevation: 10,088ft
Highlights: 4+ hours of continuous action as each rider challenges himself /herself against the clock.
Stage 5 Route Map pdf
Stage 5 Climb Profile pdf
Zoom in Maps
Stage Schedule / Log: streets and distances
The men and women will race the same course
USA Pro Challenge Stage 5 Breckenridge Time Trial 2015
Breckenridge time trial Stage 5 USA Pro Challenge 2015
Individual time trial start and finish area in Breckenridge - Stage 5
THE ORGANIZATION
Race website: USAProCyclingChallenge.com
Twitter: @USAProChallenge
Facebook: USAProChallenge
Sponsors: Founding and Official Race Partners
Stage 5 jersey - 2015 Buy
THE PLACE - August 21st
Stages in Breckenridge: Stage 4 & 5
Town of Breckenridge: townofbreckenridge.com
The race in Breckenridge: gobreck.com/events/usa-pro-cycling-challenge
Accommodations: search in Breckenridge and nearby Frisco, Dillon, Silverthorne
Camping and Parking for Stages 2, 3 and 4 in Summit County: USDA Forest Service
No dogs are allowed at any special events in Breckenridge.
THE FUN - in Breckenridge
All Day: Maxxis Stunt show on the Riverwalk Center lawn
All Day: Kid Zone south end of the festival
All day: Austin Bike Zoo, ArtCrank and more bicycle-themed fun in the Breckenridge Arts District
11:00-11:45 am: Yoga on the Riverwalk Center lawn
10:30-12:00 pm: Brews and Blues (and Bloody Marys!) in the Festival Village beer garden
12:00-1:00 pm: USA Pro Challenge women’s awards
1:00-2:00 pm: Pond Crossing at the Dredge pond
7:30pm: Free concert with Los Lobos at the Riverwalk Center
Water games in Breckenridge in 2014. Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®
There are plenty of other activities to do in this town (or within Summit County):
Road Rides: SummitBiking.org
Mountain Biking: The Mtb Project Trails, lots and lots of trails!
Shuttle van to Vail Pass and ride back: Alpine Sports (bike rental and shuttle van)
Wildflower hikes: 8 hikes near Breck
Alpine Super Slide ($18): Breck Summer Fun Park
Ride the gondola: From town to the base of Peak 8, Free in summer, 8:30-5:45pm
Ride a horse: Breckenridge Stables
Shop: over 200 shops
Bag a 14er: Quandary Peak 14, 265ft is nearby
Climb three fourteeners: you can climb Mt Lincoln, Democrat and Bross all in the same day!
Boat (canoe, kayak, sailboat rentals) on Lake Dillon: Frisco Marina
History Museum in Frisco: Historic Park and Museum
The town waits. Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®
THE ROADS & PARKING
Parking will be easily accessible to the ski lots in Breck (diversion on Hwy 9 around Main St)
Road closures and times, for Stage 5: CDOT (select by stage tab at the left).
State Highways Impacted: SH 9 - expect delays, detours and backed up traffic
Complete list of road closures in town of Breckenridge: gobreck.com/events/usa-pro-cycling-challenge. Roads impacted: Highway 9, Boreas Pass rd, Wellington Rd, Royal Tiger Rd, Moonstone Rd, Jefferson Ave, Main St.
Camping and Parking for Stages 2, 3 and 4 in Summit County: USDA Forest Service
Full road closures in place: No traffic is allowed on the course other than official race vehicles. The routes of the Individual Time Trial on Stage 5 in Breckenridge will have full road closure (closed all of the time). This is to allow for a constant stream of cyclists along the route. Certain mountain top roads might be fully closed to car traffic.
THE SPECTATOR
VIP buy tickets
Volunteer sign-up
Visit the Host Cities
See the route Maps & Profiles
Community Events Rides, Art, Movies and Concerts
Shop for apparel Buy Tshirts and memorabilia or find the merchandise trailer on race day
Read the blog Cyclesense 365
Read recent Press Releases
I am hoping they were watching Tour Tracker! Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®
Let's Talk VIP
Read more at: Should I buy a VIP ticket to the USA Pro Challenge? by Pedal Dancer®
The VIP tent will be in Blue River Plaza (marked below) as it has been in past years. The VIP tent usually extends down the pretty plaza, with the short end of the tent on the street. Last year additional stadium seating was added for better VIP viewing. The VIP tent in right near the finish line.
VIP tent location:
The VIP tent will be in Blue River Plaza near the finish line.
Obtaining autographs during a time trial - respect the rider's preparation
There are unwritten rules of cycling for fans as well as racers. One of the unwritten rules for fans is that you do not call out or interrupt a rider while he or she is warming up on a trainer (bike on a stand) outside the team bus prior to his/her individual start time at the start ramp. This time is devoted to warming up correctly.
Also never call into the holding area behind the start ramp. Please be respectful for the rider's process of psyching themself up to race his or her hardest during a time trial. Respect the rider to concentrate only on his gear, his start time call up and his mental readiness.
When it is fine to ask for an autograph at a time trial: if you happen to see a rider in his normal team clothing (pants and monogrammed shirt) upon arriving at the team area prior to putting on his kit and warming up. Or if you see him arrive at his team bus AFTER his/her time trial is completed.
Serghei Tevetcov Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis waiting anxiously in 2014 for his individual time trial.
Individual Time Trial
contre la montre - against the watch
contre la montre individuel - Individual Time Trial
contre la montre par équipe - Team Time Trial
Standings
Who is currently wearing the jerseys at the start of Stage 5? Look for these riders:
(updated after Stage 4)
Yellow:
Colorado:
Green:
Mountain:
Best Young:
Aggressive:
THE COVERAGE
TV coverage of Stage 5: Universal Sports Network
Stage 5
- 08/21/2015
2:00 PM
(MDT) LIVE
Stage 5
- 08/21/2015
7:00 PM
(MDT) Repeat
Media coverage at the race
Press Conference Daily: Post race press conferences will be shown live on prochallenge.com
Media Coverage of the race will be provided by: Velo News, Cycling News, Steephill.TV & VeloImages, The Denver Post, Pedal Dancer® and Pro Velo Passion.
Photographer and journalists tweets from the race (I will add more as I verify they are at the race, and tweeting): @karenrake (Pedal Dancer), @Eibhir, @butterflywriter (Pro Velo Passion)
Follow the race: USA Pro Challenge: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Follow the Teams
BMC Racing Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Trek Factory Racing Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Tinkoff-Saxo Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Cannondale-Garmin Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Axeon Cycling Team Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
United Healthcare Pro Cycling Team Facebook | Twitter | Flickr
more coming ...
PEDAL DANCER®
Pedal Dancer® bike blog has been covering the race for five years, providing quick and easy spectator guides to each stage. Always considering the viewpoints and needs of spectators, tourists, cyclists, or straight-forward racing fans. I post stage results as well as inside stories from chasing the race. Read more education and stories about the race at Pedal Dancer® at the USA Pro Challenge
Pedal Dancer® recommendations for Stage 5:
Tip #1: Bring an external charger for your phone because you are going to want to watch both your Tour Tracker app to follow standings, and track down your friends or family throughout the long day. This will be a stage where there will be A LOT TO SEE and you will be spread out across the events and course.
Tip #2: Pull up the start list on Tour Tracker to see which rider is coming next. There will be some passing on even this short course, but once you see the team kit, you should know who is coming next. Cheer their name loud as they pass you!
Tip #3: Take the time to really look at the bikes. The time trial bikes will be set out in front of the team buses prior to the start so that riders may warm up. Don't disturb the riders, but do check out these fast bikes.
Tip #4: Walk back and forth to both the start and the finish.
Tip #5: At the start: Watch the names being place on the team cars as they line up to follow their rider. Watch the riders as they approach the start area (riding their bikes) and also then move so you can see their face while on the start ramp seconds before the clock signals them to begin.
Tip #6: Be at the finish to see the time differences as they cross. The start order does not AT ALL reflect the rider's ability on a TT bike. Time trial specialists will be dotted throughout the day and will not necessarily all start at the end of the day.
Tip #7: The start order for the day will be the reverse order of the General Classification standings after Stage 4 (the finish the night before in Breckenridge). Racers will start at 1-minute intervals, with the last 10 riders starting at 2-minutes apart. Expect the racers and team cars to be very close to each other.
Tip #8: I recommend staying over in Breckenridge, if possible, to see the finish of Stage 4 on Thursday, August 20th, and the women's and men's Stage 5 Individual Time Trial on Friday, August 21st.
Last year's podium presentation in Breckenridge - Janier Acevedo (bottom) and Rob Britton (top). Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®
Pedal Dancer® posts about the race in 2015:
TV coverage for USA Pro Challenge 2015
USA Pro Challenge 2015 Women's Teams Announced
Should I buy a VIP ticket to the USA Pro Challenge?
Which Teams will race in the USA Pro Challenge 2015?
So you want to tour Colorado on a bicycle? By Pedal Dancer®
Exact route maps of USA Pro Challenge 2015 Announced By Pedal Dancer®
Host Cities for 2015 USA Pro Challenge By Pedal Dancer®
How to see Stage 1 of USA Pro Challenge 2015 - Steamboat
How to see Stage 2 of USA Pro Challenge 2015 - Steamboat / ABasin
How to see Stage 3 of USA Pro Challenge 2015 - Copper / Aspen
How to see Stage 4 of USA Pro Challenge 2015 - Aspen / Breck
How to see Stage 5 of USA Pro Challenge 2015 - Breck ITT!
How to see Stage 6 of USA Pro Challenge 2015 - Loveland / Fort Collins
How to see Stage 7 of USA Pro Challenge 2015 - Golden / Denver
Friendly spectators on Wellington Rd. in 2014. Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®
CYCLING NEAR STAGE 2, 3, 4
Pedal Dancer® - cycling near Copper Mountain and Aspen:
SUMMIT COUNTY CYCLING
COLORADO CLIMBS
COLORADO CYCLING
So you want to tour Colorado on a bicycle?
Recommended Road Bike Rides Near Vail, Colorado
Recommended Road Bike Rides Near Aspen, Colorado
I am proud to be a selected Ride with GPS Ambassador to Summit County. See my other Ride with GPS Ambassador rides near Stage 2 finish (oh yes, you could stay here all week and ride your bike):
For tips on restaurants and services along these bike routes and in Breckenridge - please click on these links to see recommendations on a map:
Summit County East to West - Loveland Pass to Vail Pass
Breckenridge around Lake Dillon to Keystone loop
Montezuma from Frisco over Swan Mountain and back
Loveland Pass from Dillon through Keystone and back
Copper Triangle Traditional (Vail Pass last)
Frisco Marina to Vail Village and back
Frisco Marina to East Vail and back
Vail Pass from Frisco through Copper Mountain
More of my rides here: ridewithgps.com/users/234376
The start ramp. Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®
STAGES 1-7
Stages and Host Cities for 2015 USA Pro Challenge in Colorado - MENS
Stage 1: Monday, Aug. 17 – Steamboat Springs Circuit Race
Stage 2: Tuesday, Aug. 18 – Steamboat Springs to Arapahoe Basin
Stage 3: Wednesday, Aug. 19 – Copper Mountain Resort to Aspen
Stage 4: Thursday, Aug. 20 – Aspen to Breckenridge
Stage 5: Friday, Aug. 21 – Breckenridge Individual Time Trial
Stage 6: Saturday, Aug. 22 – Loveland to Fort Collins
Stage 7: Sunday, Aug. 23 – Golden to Denver
Stages and Host Cities for 2015 2015 USA Pro Challenge in Colorado - WOMENS
Stage 1: Friday, August 21 - Breckenridge (Individual Time Trial)
Stage 2: Saturday, August 22 - Fort Collins
Stage 3: Sunday, August 23 - Golden (finishes prior to the start of the men's race)
THE RESULTS of STAGE 5
(results will be posted HERE after each stage of the race)
Stage Winner:
Overall Race Leader:
Best Colorado Rider:
King of the Mountain:
Sprinter:
Best Young:
Most Aggressive:
Press Room Comments:
Photos of the race in Breckenridge:
Pedal Dancer® Guide Pages help you have a better vacation in Colorado. Follow me on Twitter as I run around inside and outside of the barriers and tweet from the race as @KarenRake , see you there - Karen.