USA Pro Cycling Challenge in Colorado announces TV coverage

This summer's pro-level bicycle race across Colorado has undergone an identity and logo makeover before the inaugural event has even left the starting line.

The Quizno's Pro Challenge is now the 2011 USA Pro Cycling Challenge, as announced in Denver on Tuesday. The sandwich-maker is still the main sponsor, but from here on, the Aug. 22-28 bicycle race shall be known by its new name.

Organizers also revealed that the new tie-up of NBC Sports and Versus will have broadcast rights to the bike race with more than 25 hours of live coverage over the 7-day period.

Live cycling

Versus will provide 3-1/2 hours of live coverage on the first six days as the bike race wends around Colorado. On the final day in Denver, Versus will provide a half-hour pre-race show on cable, then NBC Sports will air two hours live on its broadcast stations. Versus will wrap up with a post-race program.

NBC Sports and Versus are working together on this because they're owned by same parent company, Comcast. Comcast, which has owned the Versus cable channel for a few years, acquired most of the NBC Universal on Jan. 29 in a $30 billion deal. That acquisition included NBC Sports.

In addition to the USA Pro Cycling Challenge, Versus also will offer live coverage of the Amgen Tour of California from May 15-22 and the Tour de France July 2-24. Versus also offers rebroadcast highlights of many other European spring classics and stage races.

Big audience

Announced in Denver on Tuesday, Shawn Hunter, co-chairman of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge, said:

“There is no stronger television partner than the NBC Sports Group to
present the USA Pro Cycling Challenge. With the NBC Sports Group’s
extensive, 25 hours of live coverage, millions of fans will be able to
follow their favorite cyclists as they compete in the most demanding
professional bike race ever held in America.”

No word yet on television coverage for the Tour of Utah, Aug. 9-14, 2011. Both the Tour of Utah and USA Pro Cycling Challenge are ranked as 2.1 classification races on the UCI road race calendar. The Amgen Tour of California weighs in at a slightly heavier rank 2 HC.

The stages and host city for USA Pro Cycling Challenge are: