Stage 6 of 2015 USA Pro Challenge will take Riders from Loveland to Fort Collins

Denver (Dec. 22, 2014) – With the majority of the host cities announced for the 2015 USA Pro Challenge, organizers looked to fans to help determine the start and finish locations for Stage 6. Thousands of fans submitted their opinions providing more than 20 start and finish city options. In the end, nearly half the responses encouraged a return to Northern Colorado resulting in a Stage 6 start in Loveland and a finish in Fort Collins.

"Loveland and Fort Collins have been such great host cities in the past and we're looking forward to visiting them again," said Shawn Hunter, CEO of the USA Pro Challenge. "Last year, we gave fans the chance to weigh in on the final stage of the race and we got a huge response with people voicing their support for the two different options. This year, the fans once again showed their passion for the sport through an overwhelming number of responses regarding where Stage 6 should take place."

After the initial host cities announcement two weeks ago, during which six of the seven stages for the 2015 race were revealed, fans were given the opportunity to provide suggestions for Stage 6 through Facebook and the race website.

USA Pro Challenge fan Michael DePalma wanted a return to Northern Colorado stating it, "offers some of the most spectacular cycling opportunities in the state." And many spoke to returning to areas that were greatly damaged in the 2013 floods. Gary Crews said the Pro Challenge will, "help us further recover from the flooding and put a smile on the face of riders and residents alike."

With the fans' opinions taken into account, the Stage 6 host cities have been determined. And while the host cities are familiar to the race, after visiting them in 2013, the route promises to be new and unique in 2015 throughout Larimer County.

"It has been incredible to witness the outpouring of support from the Northern Colorado community who has rallied together to bring back the USA Pro Challenge in 2015," said Local Organizing Member Eric Thompson. "We are honored to have been selected for Stage 6 next summer and look forward to sharing the excitement with cycling fans that made it happen."

Taking place Aug. 17-23, the host cities and stages of the 2015 USA Pro Challenge include:

• Stage 1: Monday, Aug. 17 – Steamboat Springs Circuit Race
• Stage 2: Tuesday, Aug. 18 – Steamboat Springs to Arapahoe Basin
• Stage 3: Wednesday, Aug. 19 – Copper Mountain Resort to Aspen
• Stage 4: Thursday, Aug. 20 – Aspen to Breckenridge
• Stage 5: Friday, Aug. 21 – Breckenridge Individual Time Trial
• Stage 6: Saturday, Aug. 22 – Loveland to Fort Collins
• Stage 7: Sunday, Aug. 23 – Golden to Denver

Additional details regarding the start and finish locations of the 2015 race, as well as the specific, detailed route will be announced in the spring.

About the USA Pro Challenge

Referred to as "America's Race," the USA Pro Challenge will take place August 17-23, 2015. For seven consecutive days, the world's top athletes race through the majestic Colorado Rockies, reaching higher altitudes than they've ever had to endure. One of the largest cycling events in U.S. history and the largest spectator event in the history of the state, the USA Pro Challenge is back for 2015.

More information can be found online at www.USAProChallenge.com and on Twitter at @USAProChallenge.