Route Maps and Stage Descriptions

Quick route update today for the Colorado Stage. Today we are posting map's for each stage to view and download. We are also working on some really cool interactive maps with the team at MapMyRide.com -- look for those coming soon. They are pulling together 3D Google Earth fly-overs of each Stage Route and helping us build interactive maps for the new site... really cool stuff.


Stage 1: Breckenridge to Beaver Creek
Friday, August 22, 2008

The opening day’s 130-mile road race will begin on Main Street in Breckenridge, taking riders over Hoosier Pass and south down into Alma, Fairplay and Buena Vista on Colorado 285. The route will then head north on Highway 24, through Leadville and Minturn, before finishing in the heart of Beaver Creek Village. Featuring three mountain passes, 11,000 feet of vertical gain and a lung-searing three-mile uphill finish sprint to Beaver Creek Village, the opening stage will definitely not be for the faint of heart. With Hoosier Pass at 11,524 feet and Tennessee Pass at 10,424 feet, the riders are going to need to be in tremendous shape to be in contention at the finish.

The first Stage will feature two Sprint Lines, one in Buena Vista and another in Leadville. Stage 1 will also feature two King of the Mountain areas, the first at the summit of Hoosier Pass and the second at the summit of Battle Mountain Pass. Those areas are indicated on the map below... and will provide exciting viewing areas during the event...

Click here to download a larger, printable version.

Stage 2: Vail Valley Circuit Race
Saturday, August 23, 2008

Day two will feature the circuit race, with a total of eight and one half laps of an 8.5 mile loop in and around Vail Village. The race will start on Gore Creek Drive in Vail Village, heading west on Forest Road to Lionshead and out toward West Vail before turning back to the east to Vail Village. The loop will continue east to the Vail Golf Course before turning west once more for a finish adjacent to the Lionshead parking structure. With an estimated lap time of 20 minutes, the circuit race is expected to take just under three hours to complete.

Stage two sprint lines will be at the finish line in Lionshead Village adjacent to the Lionshead parking structure. This stage will be very spectator friendly and the finish line in Lionshead will provide great viewing access. You will be able to catch the dash to the finish line and Sprint Line dashes on alternating laps.

Click here to download a larger, printable version.


Stage 3: Vail Classic Time Trial
Sunday, August 24, 2008

The final day’s competition will hearken back to the days of the Coors Classic with the traditional time trial course from Vail Village to the East Vail cul-de-sac. Competitors will begin the grueling individual ascent in Vail Village hoping to past the fastest time on the 10-mile course that features 1,500 feet of elevation gain in this race against the clock that could well decide the overall champion of the Colorado Stage International Cycle Classic. The Vail course is legendary and it will be interesting to see if today’s stars can better the record time of 26:33.43, set during the 1987 Coors Classic by Andy Hampsten.


Click here to download a larger, printable version.