Reason #326 why we love living in Colorado ... the USA Pro Cycling Challenge! Some of the greatest cyclists in the world come here to compete for a week at various spots around the state with the challenge of our high elevations. Stage 5 of the race starts in Breckenridge and ends in Downtown Colorado Springs. It just so happened the boys were off school today (due to testing which they completed the day before) so our afternoon adventure was a little field trip to watch some professional cycling by Olympians and Tour de France riders. This is the 2nd year for this race, and it's certainly gaining some great fans and momentum in our state!
We found a great spot to watch
along the race route,
and our friend Julia joined us!
The leader. Check out that
intensity on his face!
The race had some breakaway riders in the lead
and then the rest of the pack (the official term for
this pack of riders is "peloton.") Amazing to think
how many miles they'd ridden
from Breckenridge and were still this tight
in the pack at the end!
Running over the bridge to catch
some glimpses of the riders
at the finish.
At the finish line, the cyclists were FLYING
around the corners downtown so I just started
snapping pics. Love this photo of the leader
at this point looking back over his shoulder
to see who was closing in on him.
around the corners downtown so I just started
snapping pics. Love this photo of the leader
at this point looking back over his shoulder
to see who was closing in on him.
The 4th rider back in the yellow jersey is the overall
race leader Tejay van Garderen. They compile the
times over each stage of the race to determine
who is the overall leader, and each day
they earn the right to wear the yellow jersey
as the top leader. Tejay is part of Team BMC
(the riders in red/black surrounding him.)
The finish line!
