2011 USA Pro Cycling Challenge – Stage 3 Preview
Vail, CO - The first stop on my trip to preview the stages of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge, Vail is certainly no stranger to skinny tires or international bicycle racing.
One of the first mountain communities to be incorporated into the original Red Zinger Bicycle Classic in 1978, the popular Vail Village Criterium and Vail Pass Time Trial continued on with the Coors International Bicycle Classic until its demise in 1988.
"I had the extreme good fortune to run the Vail stages of the Coors Classic," offered Ceil Folz, the current president of the Vail Valley Foundation, who was employed by the Vail Recreation District back in the race's heyday. "I guarantee that the races were the highpoint for us every summer. The excitement and celebration that a major road race brings to a community, as well as to the racing fans, is incredible. There were people all over Vail Village for the criterium, camped out on the roofs of buildings and five-deep along the streets. It was an enormous rolling party for two days."
Vail has also been the site of the multiple UCI World Cup mountain biking events (1993, 1995, 1997, and 2000), including the World Cup Finals in 1992 and the UCI World Mountain Bike Championships in 1994 and again in 2001.
Sadly, the last major cycling event that Vail hosted was marred by the tragic events of September 11.
"The 2001 Worlds will unfortunately always be linked with the events of September 11," stated Folz. "But our little Championships world really turned into a microcosm of what was going on in the world around us. The teams from all nations came together to support both the event and us as organizers and there was an incredible outpouring of emotion and caring that came from and for everyone involved. It was impossible not to get emotional seeing [American] Alison [Dunlap] wrapped in the American flag in her moment of glory [as she rode across the finish line carrying the American flag and immediately collapsed to her knees in tears with the flag draped around her].
In spite of all the highs and lows that the Vail Valley has experienced in cycling, the sport remains firmly entrenched in its identity.
This time around, Vail will play host to what will most likely be the decisive stage of the inaugural USA Pro Cycling Challenge. The 10.6 mile Individual Time Trial up Vail Pass will carry with it the distinction of being the lone original course from the Coors International Bicycle Classic.
With Larry Grossman, a 28-year mountain biking veteran and the proverbial "voice of Colorado racing" as my guide, I took in the entirety of the Vail Pass Time Trial course.
With the start house located next to the Solaris, the riders will descend a few hundred yards before taking a left turn onto International Bridge and over Gore Creek. From there, the riders will take another left onto the main pedestrian walkway and into the heart of Vail Village. At this juncture the crowd noise in these closed quarters should provide a palpable send off to each rider as they hit the frontage road and up Vail Pass.
The first portion of the course is relatively wide open and deceptive. Winds could play a factor at this point as the road rises ever so slightly to meet the riders.
As the riders reach the base of the climb, they will be tested immediately with a short but steep section before steadily climbing toward the finish.
Riders to Watch
This uphill course will favor the climbers rather than the true speed merchants. A host of riders will be in contention to take the stage, but it will most likely come down to the favorites in the General Classification. Look for the likes of Tom Danielson (Team Garmin-Cervelo), Andy Schleck (Leopard-Trek), Frank Schleck (Leopard-Trek), Levi Leipheimer (Team RadioShack), Robert Gesink (Rabobank), Laurens Ten Dams (Rabobank), Tejay Van Garderen (HTC-Highroad), and Cadel Evans (BMC Racing) to put on a show.
People, Places & Things
Pepi's Deck - Part of the Hotel-Gasthof Gramshammer, Pepi's Deck is known as the "Sunniest Deck in Vail Village." Owned and operated by Austrian ski racer, Pepi Gramshammer and his wife Sheika, since 1964, it may be the best spot to grab a bite and see the riders fly by on race day.
Vail Cascade Resort, Spa and Condominiums - Just west of the main part of Vail Village sits the 30 million dollar renovated Vail Cascade Resort, Spa and Condominiums. While the 78,000-square-foot Aria Spa & Club alone is worth the price of admission, dining at the resort's Atwater on Gore Creek is quite simply incomparable, where Chef Adam Votaw and Pastry Chef Felicia Jablonski create award winning dishes and desserts daily.
Vail Forerunners (Amateur Time Trial) - Sponsors and wanna be racers take off to test their skills on the same course the pros will ride. Special guest appearances by former Coors Classic winners. August 25th from 12pm-1pm.
Free Concert featuring Motet - Mountain Plaza in Vail Village - August 25th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
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