Last month I was lucky to be able to see three stages of the USA Pro Challenge, a week-long cycling race across Colorado. We did a crazy tour to catch glimpses of the riders in Breckenridge, Boulder, and Denver. Photos here are from all three days, via camera and iPhone, with varying degrees of quality. Lesson learned: taking good photos of racing cyclists is quite difficult.
Top image: a rider warming up for Denver's time trial and my best/favorite photo from all three days. Unfortunately, I've lost track of who it is, and am having trouble id-ing him.
Stage 5: Breckenridge to Colorado Springs
Cowbell ready for action.
Vikings! Fans cheer riders on as they head up Hoosier pass (elevation 11,542 ft).
The peloton goes by very, very fast.
After the bikes comes a parade of support cars, race officials and staff, police, photographers and marshalls on motorcycles.
Stage 6: Golden to Boulder
Boulder loves bikes.
Catching the action through Boulder Canyon at the Rapha Mobile Cycle Club.
Riders on Canyon St, heading out of Boulder...
...and back into Boulder, through Pearl St. Mall downtown, towards the finish.
Towards Golden.
Stage 7: Denver time trial
In a couple of hours 17th street will be lined with spectators.
Warming up on the course.
Matt Cooke
My semi-educated guess is this is Taylor Phinney.
Teejay van Garderen (2nd overall)
Christian Vande Velde (1st overall)
Thanks Colorado, it's been fun.