Movement: Mike Bogner

For have been living in Denver for the last two years, I've grown accustomed to the Denver and Colorado way of life and spirit. I love the fact that there is something to do, go see, or watch every weekend. This past weekend wasn't an exception either.

This weekend I was able to experience my second USA Pro Cycling Challenge come through Denver. Though this year, I was able to ride around and capture the day behind the lens of my camera. Nicknamed "America's Race", the seven stage race the covers 683 miles of Colorado beautiful backyard in seven consecutive days, starting in Durango and ending in Denver. It is a grueling and demanding race which makes it the biggest cycling events in our country a huge spectator sport. It's like our own Tour de France.

The race no doubt was grueling, with it climbing over two mountains both of which are over 12,000 feet in elevation. The race came down to the final stage with many riders all close within contention of taking the overall win. Even the final stage, the riders finished within seconds of each other. Up until the very end of the day was this truly "anyones race". It was Christian Vande Velde, a USA rider for team Garmin-Sharp-Baracuda who took the overall win for all stages and came in second for the final stage. The stage winner, Taylor Phinney also USA for team BMC, completed the 9.5 mile time trial loop around the city in 17'25"50.  Phinney rode the course at an average speed of 32.7 miles per hour.

Overall the race was excitement for all to enjoy. If you missed this years, be sure to keep a look out for next years and come to Colorado for it. You wont be disappointed. For more information and recap of this weeks events, be sure to check out the USA Pro Cycling Challenge website.

And to see the rest of my photos, be sure to visit my Flickr 2012 USA Pro Challenge photo set.