Lance Armstrong riding Quizno's Pro Challenge in 2011

Seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong, world champion Thor Hushovd and former world champion Cadel Evans, as well as legendary team directors Johan Bruyneel and Bob Stapleton are among the world renowned cyclists that will compete in the Quiznos Pro Challenge, August 22-28, 2011.

Today the organizers announced the first five teams to join the Quiznos Pro Challenge, including Team Radio Shack whom Lance Armstrong rides for. The tour is being described as the greatest bike race ever to be held on American soil from - and we're so excited to hear that the greatest cyclist of our times, Lance Armstrong will be riding through Steamboat Springs!

About the Quiznos Pro Challenge

The Quiznos Pro Challenge is most demanding professional bike race ever held in America, with racers experiencing breathless altitudes and nearly 600 mountain miles, for seven-straight days. The inaugural 2011 Quiznos Pro Challenge will take place August 22-28, traveling through some of the world’s most famous and

beautiful destinations, including Colorado Springs, Salida, Crested Butte, Gunnison, Aspen, Vail, Avon,Steamboat Springs, Breckenridge, Golden and Denver. 128 of the world’s best professional cyclists from 16 teams, including Team RadioShack, HTC-Highroad, Slipstream Sports/Garmin-Cervelo and Liquigas-Cannondale, will be put to the test like never before.

To keep in touch with the latest news and updates on the Quiznos Pro Challenge, visit

http://www.quiznosprochallenge.com/. 

Where to Stay for the Quiznos Pro Challenge

ResortQuest has lodging in 3 of the of start/finish locations for the Quizno's Pro Challenge: Steamboat, Breckenridge & Aspen.

SteamboatInfo@ResortQuest.com

Tour Schedule and Route

• August 22 – Stage 1, Prologue time trial, Colorado Springs
• August 23 – Stage 2, Salida to Crested Butte, mountain-top finish
• August 24 – Stage 3, Gunnison to Aspen, mountain stage
• August 25 – Stage 4, Vail, time trail, former Coors Classic stage
• August 26 – Stage 5, Avon to Steamboat Springs
• August 27 – Stage 6, Steamboat Springs to Breckenridge
• August 28 – Stage 7, Golden to Denver 

About the 5 Teams

Team RadioShack (USA)

Team RadioShack is led by Sports Team Manager Johan Bruyneel, the most winning sports director in history with nine Tour de France victories, including seven with pro-cycling legend Lance Armstrong. The 2010 team was comprised of riders hailing from 16 countries, including Grand Tour leaders, Lance Armstrong, Levi Leipheimer, Andres Kloden, Jani Brajkovic (Slovenia) and Tiago Machado (Portugal).

Liquigas-Cannondale (Italy)

Liquigas-Cannondale is an Italian professional cycling team ranked second in the UCI ProTour for the third consecutive year. Sport team manager Roberto Amadio has many returning stars including Vincenzo Nibali, who took the overall victory at the 2010 Vuelta a Espana, and Ivan Basso, who earned his second career Giro d'Italia win in May.

HTC-Highroad (USA)

Led by Bob Stapleton, the HTC-Highroad team has the most victories in professional cycling with 389 wins since 2008, nine national titles and six world champions on its 2011 roster. HTC-Highroad is comprised of top young talent with 19 riders under the age of 26 making it one of the youngest teams in professional cycling. The team represents national champions of Germany, USA, Sweden, Czech Republic, Ireland, Italy and Slovakia.

BMC Racing Team (USA)

BMC Racing Team finished as one of the top 10 teams in the UCI world rankings, helping them earn ProTeam status for 2011. Competing in its fifth season overall, the team is managed by Directeur Sportif John Lelangue and includes former world road race champions Cadel Evans (Australia) and Alessandro Ballan (Italy), and U.S. national road champion George Hincapie. In addition to many 2010 wins, BMC Racing Team led both the Tour de France and the Giro d’Italia in its first participation in both events. As a recent addition, Colorado native and multi-time world and U.S. national champion Taylor Phinney will join the team’s roster in 2011.

Slipstream Sports/Team Garmin-Cervelo (USA)

Headquartered in Boulder, Colo., Slipstream Sports and Team Garmin-Cervelo are managed by CEO and Director Sportif Jonathan Vaughters, a Denver resident who had a 10-year career as a professional cyclist. The 2011 team – a powerhouse in the peloton – includes Ryder Hesjedal, who earned seventh place overall at the 2010 Tour de France; sprint sensation Tyler Farrar; world champion Thor Hushovd and Christian Vande Velde.

We look forward to seeing you in Steamboat for the Quiznos Pro Challenge!

Steamboat Springs Quiznos Pro Challenge Bike Race Announces Colorado’s Stops

Steamboat Springs, CO is a major hub during “the greatest bike race ever to be held on American soil” from August 22-28, 2011! Steamboat will be the end of stage 5 as tired riders come in from Avon, Co and the beginning of stage 6 as riders take off to make it to Breckenridge, CO!

Racers will be in Steamboat Aug. 26-27th!- secure your lodging now and pick your perfect condo!

The Quiznos Pro Challenge has announced the tour dates and stage stopping points in cities across Colorado including Aspen, Avon, Breckenridge, Colorado Springs, Crested Butte, Denver, Golden, Gunnison, Salida, Steamboat Springs and Vail.

The Quiznos Pro Challenge is a grueling, 600 mile, seven day race through the most majestic and treacherous terrain Colorado and the Rocky Mountains have to offer.

Specific route details were not released, but the start and finish spots indicate a very mountainous route, with few sprinter stages. “We had so much interest from incredible cities across Colorado that we could hold an event of twice the duration,” said Ellen Kramer, Quiznos chief communications officer. “We worked diligently throughout the selection process to incorporate cities that provide terrain that is unique to Colorado and delivers one of the most exciting cycling events in the world. The selected cities will make excellent partners and provide a demanding course for the world’s top cyclists.”

The announcement was made at a press conference held on the front steps of the Colorado State Capitol Building in front a crowd of approximately 1,000 people convened to later take part in a social bike ride lead by Armstrong, who announced the ride via Twitter several days prior.

“We are an American team based in Colorado so we're extremely excited about the Quiznos Pro
Challenge,” said Ryder Hesjedal, seventh-place finisher at the 2010 Tour de France. “Colorado has some of the best training grounds in North America and the racing is going to be incredible.”

“Our mission is to create an experience that is unique to the state of Colorado while remaining focused on our goal of building one of the preeminent sporting properties in North America,” said Joe Moller, president of the Quiznos Pro Challenge. “The website is just the beginning of our ascent into the digital space for the Quiznos Pro Challenge.”

Don’t miss this epic race- book your lodging & stay with us at ResortQuest Steamboat and ensure you are part of the action!