Two pro cycling stage races on TV: USA Pro Cycling Challenge and Giro d’Italia

[PotomacCyclist]

The Vuelta a Espana starts tomorrow, Sat. Aug. 20. Universal Sports will air daily coverage of the stage race, one of the Grand Tours of Europe. Many top riders will compete in the race, but not all of them. That’s because some of those cyclists will be at the USA Pro Cycling Challenge.

The Cycling Challenge takes place in Colorado from Mon. Aug. 22 to Sun. Aug. 28. This is the inaugural running of the race, although it draws on the history of the former Coors International Bicycle Classic (Coors Classic) race. Lance Armstrong has helped to promote the development of this race but he won’t be racing. However, Cadel Evans, Andy Schleck and Frank Schleck will all be competing. Versus will broadcast the action.

There should be some great mountain stages since this is the Rocky Mountains. The top three finishers at the Tour de France will be there, which means that there is going to be some serious competition.

NOTE: Versus will become the NBC Sports Network in January. Comcast, which owns Versus, bought NBC Universal. But since NBC is the more widely known brand, the channel will take on the NBC brand. Universal Sports is also (part) owned by Comcast/NBC Universal.

EDIT: I couldn’t fix the title of the thread. It’s the Vuelta a Espana, not the Giro.

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[PotomacCyclist]

I should have said Vuelta a Espana, not the Giro.

[Greenbelt]

I posted this in another thread, but more on topic here. The “Rapha Continental” dudes (one of whom must have a substantial trust fund, as they seem to exist only to ride the most awesome routes and take slick video…) have been riding the U.S. pro cycling challenge route with a guy from Velonews. Spectacular scenery in the series. Here’s stage 1: http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/08/news/video-velonews-and-rapha-continental-ride-stage-2-of-the-usapcc_187084

[DaveK]

I feel like now’s an appropriate time to mention I’ll be in CO next weekend to catch a couple of stages including the finale.

[PotomacCyclist]

Take lots of pictures. HD would be preferred. So would a fast shutter speed. And post some of the best pics here! Enjoy the race.

[DaveK]

@PotomacCyclist 7326 wrote:

Take lots of pictures. HD would be preferred. So would a fast shutter speed. And post some of the best pics here! Enjoy the race.

I’m useless with a camera but my brother’s (lives in Boulder) a pretty good photographer, I’ll see what I can get out of him.

[Greenbelt]

Awesome live (and free) coverage of the U.S. pro cycling challenge: http://shacktracker.usaprocyclingchallenge.com/

I don’t want to be a spoiler, but you MUST watch the last 5 or 10 km of today’s stage, with the uphill finish in Mt. Crested Butte. Awesome to see the TDF podium attacking the final climb with the very best U.S. riders and a great Columbian team.

[PotomacCyclist]

Versus repeats each broadcast (in condensed version) at night. But they don’t have the all-day, multiple repeat coverage like they did with the Tour de France.

[DaveK]

Sneak preview (since he hasn’t processed these) – my brother got a ton of incredible photos from our spots. The first had llamas and was out on a hairpin and the second was on the final turn of the downtown circuit leading into the finish.

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George

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Downtown circuit – Liquigas reels in the break for Viviani (Oss as it turns out)

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..and there was Christian VandeVelde.

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What an amazing experience. I’ll put up a photo thread once my brother has processed everything and put up a flickr album.

[PotomacCyclist]

Pretty cool!

[Author]

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