News Archive

BEAVER CREEK, Colo. (Aug. 14, 2012) – The world’s premier cyclist are headed for Beaver Creek Thursday, August 23, and you’re invited to the welcome reception as the U.S. Pro Cycling Challenge returns to the Vail Valley with a spectacular Stage 4 mountaintop finish in the heart of the resort.

Six of the top 13 finishers at this year’s Tour de France will be expending every last ounce of leg and lung power, surging for victory up and over the 97-mile course from Aspen, finishing with a brutal two-mile climb to the finish line in Beaver Creek Village.

Due to Beaver Creek’s unique location, spectators are encouraged to leave their cars at home and bike or hike to the resort to watch the exciting finish. In anticipation of the race finish, Village Road, the main road into and out of the resort, will be closed beginning at 2:30 p.m. from Highway 6 up to the finish line, located across from the Osprey Hotel.  Depending on the pace of the peloton, the stage is expected to finish at approximately 3:30 p.m., with traffic permitted to begin leaving the resort around 4:30 p.m.

Spectators are strongly encouraged to arrive in Beaver Creek earlier in the day, no later than 1:30 p.m., as organizers anticipate at least 15,000 spectators to line the route into Beaver Creek. A number of special events and activities will get underway in the event Expo area, located on the mountain side of the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek and Gerald R. Ford Hall, at 11 a.m.

Spectator Parking Information:
There will be no in-resort parking in Beaver Creek Thursday, Aug. 23.Public parking for all bike race spectators will be available in the Traer Creek/ Rodeo Lot in Avon and the Bear Lot at the base of the resort.

Rodeo Parking Lot:
FROM I-70 WESTBOUND (Denver/Vail): Exit 168-Wal-Mart/Post Blvd and follow the signs to the Traer Creek/Rodeo Lot.
FROM I-70 EASTBOUND (Eagle/Edwards): Exit 167-Avon and follow the signs to the Traer Creek/Rodeo Lot.
Shuttle Service: Complimentary shuttle service will be running from the Rodeo Parking Lot to Beaver Creek Village from 8 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. The last pick up in the Rodeo Lot will be at 2:15 p.m. for the last transport uphill prior to the road closure to accommodate the bike race finish.

Bear Parking Lot:
Beaver Creek’s Bear Lot, located west of Prater Road, will be available for spectator parking until it fills. A dedicated shuttle will operate between the Bear and Elk lots from 5 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. The Elk Lot is being used for race organization operations and space will be very limited.

Shuttle service will resume following the awards ceremony of the Stage 4 finish, which likely will be at 4:30 p.m.

Bike Valet
A bike valet will be available at Creekside Park, located on the north side of Beaver Creek Village, providing a secure location for spectators to leave their bikes while enjoying the race and many activities in Beaver Creek. The bike valet will open at 11 a.m. and all bikes should be picked up no later than 6 p.m.
For more information about the USA Pro Challenge at Beaver Creek visit www.beavercreek.com.

About Beaver Creek Resort
On August 23, 2012 be sure to experience Beaver Creek’s mountaintop finish of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge. The arduous day culminates in a climatic uphill battle as the athletes dig deep for every last ounce of energy through the crowd-lined ascent to the finish line. A village-wide celebration will cap off Stage 4 and teams and fans can take advantage of Beaver Creek’s warm and friendly hospitality for the night. Like us: facebook.com/Beavercreek.
 

For seven consecutive days, the world’s top athletes race through the majestic Rockies, reaching higher altitudes than they’ve ever had to endure – more than two miles in elevation. One of the largest cycling events in United States history, the 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge will feature the best of the best in professional cycling, competing on a challenging course through some of America’s most beautiful scenery.
Referred to as “America’s Race,” the second annual USA Pro Cycling Challenge will take place August 20-26, 2012, a week proclaimed by Governor John Hickenlooper as “Colorado Cycling Holiday,” and travel through 12 host cities from Durango to Denver. More than 1 million spectators are expected to once again line the route to see if Levi Leipheimer will defend his title as reigning champion, while millions more around the world watch the race live on television and online through the Tour Tracker.
More information can be found online at www.USAProCyclingChallenge.com and on Twitter at @USAProChallenge.   

 

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Media Contacts:
Beaver Creek Stage Local PR Committee:
 Jen Brown, Beaver Creek Resort PR, (970) 754-5292, jbrown@vailresorts.com
John Dakin, Vail Valley Foundation, (970) 777-2015, jdakin@vvf.org
Kristin Williams, Vail Resorts Public Affairs, (970) 754-2712, kwilliams@vailresorts.com