UPCC News Round-up, 9/30/11

Factoid: The U.S. hosted six UCI races in 2011: the 2.HC Amgen Tour of California, 2.1-rated USA Pro Cycling Challenge and Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah, 2.2-rated Tour of Elk Grove, 1.HC TD Bank Philadelphia International Cycling Championship, and 1.1 Univest Grand Prix.

Since only a couple of tidbits about the USA Pro Cycling Challenge (UPCC) surfaced this week, here are a couple of interviews from the 2011 UPCC to enjoy:

1. Rory Sutherland, UnitedHealthcare

2. Find one with Frank Schleck, Leopard-Trek, by the same interviewer, here.

The USA Pro Cycling Challenge received an upgrade from 2.1 to 2.HC status for 2012. This means:

• The race offers more UCI America Tour points, and
• The same team invitation requirements as 2.1 status still apply:  ProTeams can’t exceed 50 percent of the field and the top three teams in the UCI America Tour rankings should be invited.

2012 Host City Candidates

• The UPCC released the official request for proposal on 9/21 via a link to request a RFP on the race website. The Coloradoan posted a PDF of the RFP in the article about Fort Collins’ interest in the race.
• The number of new cities interested in hosting a stage has jumped to 27, according to Stacie Lang, EVP of communication for the UPCC (from The Coloradoan).
• Fort Collins expressed interest in a start or finish. The city has concerns about how to raise the estimated $150,000 to $250,000 host cities spend on hotels, municipal staffing, and other requirements, and is studying the feasibility of generating the funds.  Supporters of bringing the race to Fort Collins set-up a facebook page called, “Bring the Pro Challenge to Fort Collins.” The page has 275 “likes.”

Bike racing in Fort Collins (Bring the Pro Challenge to Fort Collins FB page)

Attendance and economic estimates

• Breckenridge estimates it drew 50,000 to its finish
• Denver estimates it drew 100,000 spectators
• Salida estimates between 3,500 and 5,000 people came out for the race
• Colorado Springs estimates 100,000 watched the prologue
• Colorado Springs is expected to submit a bid and offer to host a prologue or a stage start or finish
• Initial reports indicate that towns that hosted the race this year saw a 10 percent to 15 percent increase in reservations over last year, not including comps
• Golden raised more than $200,000 in sponsorship and came in under budget
• Salida generated $60,000 in contributions in addition to in-kind donations such as city staff time. (first three and last three bullet points from The Coloradoan article)

Other

• Tour companies already have offers up to follow the 2012 UPCC. Here’s one for $3,900.