Citizen riders can 'Scout the Stage' during sneak preview ride for USA Pro Cycling Challenge

Vail Valley cycling enthusiasts have the unique opportunity to ride part of the USA Pro Challenge Stage 4 course for the Scout the Stage Ride on Thursday, Aug. 23, just prior to the pros who will ride the same route a few hours later. Citizen riders can choose to start from either Leadville or Minturn and will finish in Beaver Creek Village, crossing the same finish line as the pros.

Scout the Stage allows a maximum of 400 riders to have the chance to experience a race-like ride through the gorgeous Rocky Mountains, along the official race route without the actual pressure of competition. Cyclists who start in Leadville will ride the 40-mile course, tackling the UPC King of the Mountain climb up and over Battle Mountain before descending into Minturn, where hoards of fans are expected and a special Farmer's Market will take place as the route continues up to Beaver Creek. The Minturn start provides an 11-mile course and all 400 riders will have the special privilege of powering past thousands of race fans who will be lined up alongside the course to cheer on the pros.

The last 300 meters of the Beaver Creek climb will be on a closed course up and through the adorned USA Pro Challenge finish line. Scout the Stage riders then can explore the event Expo area and participate in the many activities planned throughout the afternoon in Beaver Creek Village as they await the finish of the top riders who are expected to cross the finish line between 3:30-3:50 p.m.

Scout the Stage Route Options:

Leadville 40-mile course: 10 a.m. start. Estimated finish between 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. depending on ability.

Minturn 11-mile course: 11 a.m. start time. Estimates finish between 11:30- 2 p.m. depending on ability.

Rules: The Scout the Stage ride will be a mass start ride at official sprint lines in Leadville and Minturn with a neutral escort out of both start towns. After the neutral start the ride will revert to a rules of the road ride on open roads until the finish line in Beaver Creek. The last 300 meters of the ride will take place on a fully closed course.

Registration for Scout the Stage is $100 and space is limited to 400 riders. All participants will receive a limited edition Scout the Stage jersey and a gift bag. For details and to register visit www.beavercreek.com/ScouttheStage. For complete details on all of the events and activities taking place at Beaver Creek during the USA Pro Challenge on Aug. 23, visit www.beavercreek.com.

For seven consecutive days, the world's top athletes race through Colorado's central Rockies, reaching higher altitudes than they've ever had to endure – more than two miles in elevation. One of the largest cycling events in United States history, the 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge will feature the best of the best in professional cycling, competing on a challenging course through some of America's most beautiful scenery.

Referred to as “America's Race,” the second annual USA Pro Cycling Challenge will take place August 20-26, 2012, a week proclaimed by Gov. John Hickenlooper as “Colorado Cycling Holiday,” and travel through 12 host cities from Durango to Denver. More than 1 million spectators are expected to once again line the route to see if Levi Leipheimer will defend his title as reigning champion, while millions more around the world watch the race live on television and online through the Tour Tracker.

More information can be found online at www.USAProCyclingChallenge.com and on Twitter at @USAProChallenge.