USA Pro Cycling Challenge unveils jerseys for inaugural race Aug. 22-28

The USA Pro Cycling Challenge has unveiled the race jerseys for the inaugural professional cycling competition set to take place Aug. 22-28, including stages in Vail and Avon.

Jerseys will be awarded daily to top athletes in various standings including the leader, sprinter and climber. In addition, the best young rider as well as the rider who tackles the course with the most tenacity and aggression will be presented with jerseys commemorating their accomplishments.

In a special tribute to Davis Phinney, the first American to win a stage at the Tour de France and the last reigning champion of the Coors Classic, the USA Pro Cycling Challenge is sponsoring an auction of one of each of these jerseys. These jerseys are autographed by professional riders including Davis Phinney, Ron Kiefel and Dale Stetina, and will be posted on CharityBuzz.com through Aug. 2.

All proceeds from this auction will benefit the Davis Phinney Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides information, inspiration and tools to help people with Parkinson's disease to live well today. Auction items can be found at http://www.charitybuzz.com/support/davisphinneyfoundation.

Sports apparel company Pearl Izumi, which has also joined the race as an official partner, will produce the jerseys to be presented to riders who display exceptional skill in each stage of the race in the following categories:

2011 Quiznos Leader Jersey:

The Quiznos Leader Jersey is awarded to the rider with the least amount of cumulative elapsed time over the duration of the race. Depending on each day's results, the rider wearing the Leader Jersey can change from stage to stage. Because the overall winner is based on lowest cumulative time, it is possible for a rider to win the Quiznos Leader Jersey without winning a daily stage. The USA Pro Cycling Challenge maintains tradition with the coloring of the jersey but draws from the flag of other classic racing sports by transforming the jersey into a checkered yellow print.

2011 Smashburger Sprint Jersey:

The Sprinter jersey is awarded to the rider that accumulates the most bonus points, which are given based on sprint line performances as well as finishing the stage in the top 15 places. Cyclists who specialize in bursts of power and speed, or consistently finish near the top of each stage, will have the best chance to wear this respected green jersey. For a twist on the traditional color, this green jersey is streamlined with stripes, symbolic of the speed and power required of sprinters.

2011 Nissan King of the Mountain Jersey:

The USA Pro Cycling Challenge features the most demanding mountain terrain in professional cycling, reaching heights more than two miles in elevation. The cyclist who proves to be the strongest climber through steep grades at designated King of the Mountain (KOM) locations will collect points toward earning the climber jersey. The USA Pro Cycling Challenge's red version of the KOM jersey is a modern twist on the classic polka dot jersey worn by climbers in the Tour de France.

2011 Sheets Best Young Rider Jersey:

Come August, a plethora of young talent will take to the roads to tackle the USA Pro Cycling Challenge route. These up-and-comers will compete for the distinction of wearing the blue Best Young Rider jersey, which will be awarded to the rider under 23 years old that has the least amount of elapsed time over the entire race to date.

2011 Exergy Most Aggressive Rider Jersey:

Each stage of the competition will present countless obstacles for the cyclists. The rider who best asserts himself in the peloton and tackles the challenges of the day will be awarded the orange Most Aggressive Rider jersey.

“In creating each of these jerseys, we valued the time-honored traditions of the world tours while providing modern twists to make them unique to the USA Pro Cycling Challenge,” said Shawn Hunter, co-chairman of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge. “While it is impossible to predict who might be wearing them come August, we look forward to rewarding riders for their hard work and witnessing them pull on the jerseys for the first time.”

The USA Pro Cycling Challenge is expected to be the largest spectator event in Colorado history and one of the largest sporting events to ever take place in the United States. For seven consecutive days, 128 of the world's top athletes will race across 518 miles through the majestic Rockies, reaching higher altitudes than they've ever had to endure, more than two miles in elevation.

It's the best of the best in professional cycling, competing on a challenging course through some of America's most beautiful scenery. Visitors to Vail and Avon have a special opportunity to watch two stages of the race within one valley. Vail hosts a time trial on Thursday, Aug. 25 and Avon hosts a stage start on Friday, Aug. 26. An entire weekend of events surrounding the USA Pro Cycling Challenge is planned for residents and visitors to experience and enjoy in each community.

Spectators of this race will see Olympians, World Champions and Tour de France competitors. Fans worldwide will have access to the competition and riders like never before with the most advanced, interactive online, smartphone and broadcast television experience presented to date in professional cycling.

The inaugural USA Pro Cycling Challenge will take place Aug. 22-28 starting in Colorado Springs and traveling to Salida, Crested Butte/Mt. Crested Butte, Gunnison, Aspen, Vail, Avon, Steamboat Springs, Breckenridge and Golden, with the final finish in Denver.

With more than one million spectators expected at the event, as well as national television exposure on NBC and the cable network VERSUS, the USA Pro Cycling Challenge will be the race to celebrate in America. Visit www.usaprocyclingchallenge.com for all the details on who is competing and how you can watch, or catch us on Facebook or Twitter @USAProChallenge.