First five teams announced for Quiznos Pro Challenge

Five teams have signed on for the 2011 inaugural Quiznos Pro Challenge that rolls through Colorado Aug. 20 – 28.

Four of the teams are from the US, one is from Italy. A total of 16 ProTour and Pro Continental level teams are expected to compete in the race.

The first five are:

RadioShack — Home to Lance Armstrong and Levi Leipheimer and managed by Johan Bruyneel. This might be one of Armstrong's last appearances in a RadioShack cycling kit.

Liquigas-Cannondale — The lone non-US team in the opening group, Liquigas hails from Italy and features, among others, the winner of the 2010 Vuelta a Espana, Vincenzo Nibali.

HTC-Highroad — The winningest team since 2008, Highroad features sprinter Mark Cavendish.

BMC Racing — This is the home to Australian Cadel Evans and US cyclist George Hincapie; Taylor Phinney will join the team in 2011.

Slipstream-Garmin — This team features Cavendish sprint rival Tyler Farrar, as well as Christian Vande Velde. Joining the team in 2011 is world champion Thor Hushovd.