The host cities for the 7 stage Quiznos Pro Challenge bike race were announced in Denver this morning. It will take place August 22-28 next year. 120 world-class cyclists are expected to participate in the seven day race that will cover nearly 600 miles.

The race will begin right here Colorado Springs with a prologue. It will then head to the mountains for what should be some great stages. The race will finish in Denver. Surprisingly the Boulder area was left out of the route.

They’re calling the finish in Crested Butte a mountain-top finish. Presumably it’ll finish at Mount Crested Butte. Although there’s a steep but short climb up to it, I’d hardly call it a mountain top.

2011 Quiznos Pro Challenge 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

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Media folks on the Western Slope are saying they’ve been told the upcoming Quiznos Pro Challenge bike race won’t visit the towns of Telluride or Durango.  Loveland is out of luck, too, according to the Reporter Herald, which also reported that 20 cities placed bids for the race but only six were accepted.   So which cities won?  The Associated Press reports that  Gov. Bill Ritter, city reps and pro cyclists will gather at the state capitol Thursday to unveil the route.  The race is scheduled Aug. 22-28, 2011.

– Deb Acord

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