Quen Gunnison II

Today, Wednesday, August 22nd, marks the second USA Pro Challenge "Queen Stage" Start in Gunnison. 


2011 USAPCC Gunnison Start

The Queen's Court Start Festival and Kids Fun Zone gets underway at 9:00am at the IOOF Park and the 100 Block of East Virginia Avenue.  Autograph Alley, where you get autographs from many of the professional cyclists participating in today's grueling race over Cottonwood and Independence Passes, starts at 9:00am downtown.
And Finally....at 10:00am, the Queen Stage Starts!  After the presentation of the colors by the local color guard and the singing of the national anthem, the starting gun will fire at 10:10am and the racers will ride north on Main Street towards Almont and beyond! 
The Queen Stage is the most difficult stage of the race!  The Stage covers 130.6 miles with a total of 9,623 feet climbed during the Stage.  The riders will crest the highest point in the entire 6 day race - Cottonwood Pass at 12,128 feet above sea level and then will also cross Independence Pass at 12,095 feet before dropping into Aspen. 

2011 Gunnison "Queen Stage Start"

After the riders leave town, there will be a Strider Bike Race for children and auldts at the start line on Main Street.  Registration is at the Kids Zone Bike Booth. 
The Queen's Court Festival will continue until early afternoon.  Be sure and pick up your 2012 Bike Race souveniers before they're all gone!  You can watch the entire progress of the race until the racers finish in downtown Aspen on the Jumbotron right here in Gunnison!  Cheer on your favorite racer!