The future of the Quiznos Pro Challenge stage race has received a considerable boost with the announcement of a 10 million investment for the event.
Colorado investors Rick and Richard Schaden have committed to putting the sum into the contest, which is co-chaired by the former. They are 20-year majority shareholders of Quiznos and founders of Denver's Consumer Capital Partners, and the money pledged is in addition to the sum Quiznos already committed when the race was launched last August.
The sizeable investment is a major show of faith in the race and will, according to Rick Schaden, play an important role in safeguarding the future of the event.
“This investment further demonstrates our commitment to the future of the Quiznos Pro Challenge,” he explained. “Showing financial stability demonstrates the event’s ability for longevity in the international sports arena for many years to come.”
The event will take place between August 22-28 in Colorado and is vying to follow in the tracks of the previous top Coors Classic event of the 1980s. Thus far, five UCI ProTeams have committed to taking part, namely the US-registered Garmin-Cervélo, HTC Highroad, BMC Racing Team and RadioShack squads. They are joined by Italy’s Liquigas-Cannondale.
A further eleven teams are expected to take part, including some of the US’s top Pro Continental and Continental teams. The field will total 128 riders in all.
Quiznos Pro Challenge’s other co-chairman, Shawn Hunter, said that the money invested would enable the race to plan on expanding beyond its current UCI 2.1 status.
“Financial backing of this magnitude demonstrates the level of seriousness our founders are giving this race,” he underlined. “This announcement makes the statement that the Quiznos Pro Challenge has the potential to be one of the biggest professional cycling events in the world.”
The race will take in some of the toughest roads in Colorado, and a major battle is anticipated between those who take part. The first day’s racing on August 22nd will be a prologue time trial; after that, a mountain-top finish follows at Crested Butte, then a mountain stage to Aspen, a time trial at Vaile, then three more road races to Steamboat Springs, Breckenridge and Denver.
Aside from the course and terrain, the race will also benefit from its slot on the calendar as it will be held one month after the conclusion of the Tour de France. Considerable press and public attention is very likely as a result.
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2011 Quiznos Pro Challenge:
August 22 – Stage 1, Prologue time trial, Colorado Springs
August 23 – Stage 2, Salida to Crested Butte, mountain-top finish
August 24 – Stage 3, Gunnison to Aspen, mountain stage
August 25 – Stage 4, Vail, time trail, former Coors Classic stage
August 26 – Stage 5, Avon to Steamboat Springs
August 27 – Stage 6, Steamboat Springs to Breckenridge
August 28 – Stage 7, Golden to Denver