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Award jerseys awarded for USA Pro Challenge
Aug 9th
Smashburger, Clif Bar, Nissan, Colorado State University and FirstBank to Serve as Presenting Partners
DENVER (Aug. 9, 2013) – As the professional riders participating in the 2013 USA Pro Challenge battle it out on the mountainous roads of Colorado, they will be competing for several coveted honors – the jerseys awarded to the overall leader, sprinter, climber, best young rider and most courageous rider. This year, the newly unveiled jerseys include updated, eye-catching designs that will help fans identify the current leaders during the race, set to take place Aug. 19-25.
In 2013, the official award jerseys are presented by a combination of returning and new partners. Colorado State University, Colorado-based FirstBank and Clif Bar join returning partners Smashburger and Nissan, who have been with the race since the inaugural year in 2011.
“These jerseys, and the partners presenting them, are a critical component to the USA Pro Challenge,” said Rick Schaden, owner of the race. “Bringing on partners of this caliber really show the growing interest in the race and helps us to create an unforgettable week.”
Sports apparel company Pearl Izumi, which has been the official technical apparel partner since the inaugural year, will produce the jerseys to be presented to riders who display exceptional skill in each stage of the race in the following categories:
Smashburger Leader Jersey
The Smashburger Leader Jersey is awarded to the rider with the lowest cumulative elapsed time over the duration of the race. Depending on each day’s results, the rider wearing the yellow leader jersey can change from stage to stage. Because the overall winner is based on lowest cumulative time, it is possible for a rider to win the Smashburger Leader Jersey without winning a daily stage.
Clif Bar Sprint Jersey
The Clif Bar Sprint Jersey is awarded to the rider that accumulates the most bonus points, which are given based on sprint line performances, as well as finishing the stage in the top 15 places. Cyclists who specialize in bursts of power and speed, or consistently finish near the top of each stage, will have the best chance to wear this respected green jersey.
Nissan King of the Mountains Jersey
The USA Pro Challenge features the most demanding mountain terrain in professional cycling, reaching higher elevations than any other race. The cyclist who proves to be the strongest climber through steep grades at designated Nissan King of the Mountain (KOM) locations will ultimately win this jersey. The first three cyclists to reach the top on rated climbs receive points toward this award.
FirstBank Most Courageous Rider Jersey
Each stage of the competition will present countless obstacles for the cyclists. The rider who best tackles the challenges of the day and exemplifies the spirit of the sport – courage, sacrifice, inspiration, determination and perseverance – will be awarded the FirstBank Most Courageous Rider jersey.
Colorado State University Best Young Rider Jersey
A plethora of young talent will take to the roads to tackle the USA Pro Challenge. These up-and-comers will compete for the distinction of wearing the Best Young Rider Jersey, which will be awarded to the rider under 23 years old that has the lowest cumulative elapsed time over the duration of the race. New to the race, Colorado State University is the official higher education partner and as such, will present the award to this emerging talent.
“Like the USA Pro Challenge, Colorado State University’s high-quality academic and research programs touch every corner of our beautiful state and have a global reach,” said Tom Milligan, CSU vice president for external relations. “Just as the wearer of this CSU Best Young Rider Jersey represents the future of cycling, our students represent the next generation of statewide, national and international leaders in business, science, the arts and more.”
“The jerseys are a time-honored tradition in professional cycling,” said Shawn Hunter, CEO of the USA Pro Challenge. “Each jersey carries a special meaning and each partner presenting it at the USA Pro Challenge plays a critical role in celebrating these amazing athletes for their incredible effort on the road.”
About the USA Pro Challenge
Referred to as “America’s Race,” the USA Pro Challenge will take place August 19-25, 2013 and travel through eight host cities from Aspen to Denver. For seven consecutive days, the world’s top athletes race through the majestic Colorado Rockies, reaching higher altitudes than they’ve ever had to endure. After attracting more than 1 million spectators in 2012, making it one of the largest cycling events in U.S. history and the largest spectator event in the history of the state, the USA Pro Challenge is back for 2013. Featuring a challenging, 600-mile course, the third annual race will spotlight the best of the best in professional cycling and some of America’s most beautiful scenery.
More information can be found online at www.USAProChallenge.com and on Twitter at @USAProChallenge.
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Contact:
Nicole Okoneski
Rogers & Cowan
310-854-8189
Pro Challenge amateur race set for Sunday
Aug 8th
Professional Cyclists Rory Sutherland and Timmy Duggan to Lead Mass-Participation Ride in Advance of the USA Pro Challenge
WHAT: Professional cyclists and Colorado residents Rory Sutherland and Timmy Duggan are set to lead the 2013 Pro Challenge Experience presented by UnitedHealthcare, a mass participation bike ride taking place in Fort Collins, Colo., Sunday, Aug. 11. Fans will have the unique opportunity to meet and ride alongside Sutherland and Duggan, members of Team Saxo-Tinkoff, just one week shy of their respective participation in the 2013 USA Pro Challenge, which kicks off in Aspen on August 19.
Open to all ages, the Pro Challenge Experience gives recreational cyclists an opportunity to challenge themselves against some of the most difficult and scenic terrain in the world. Beginning in Fort Collins, a host city for the 2013 professional race, Pro Challenge Experience participants can choose to ride one of three distances – 30, 52 or 108 miles of mountainous roads.
WHO: Amateur riders of all ages. Interviews available with:
- Shawn Hunter, CEO, USA Pro Challenge
- Rory Sutherland (AUS), professional cyclist on Team Saxo-Tinkoff
- Timothy Duggan (USA), professional cyclist on Team Saxo-Tinkoff
WHEN: Sunday, August 11
6:30 a.m. MT – 108 mile race begins
7 a.m. MT – 50 mile race begins
7:30 a.m. MT – 32 mile race begins
**Interviews available prior to the start of the ride and after the finish (around noon)
WHERE: Starts and ends at New Belgium Brewery
500 Linden St.
Fort Collins, CO 80524
CONTACT: Nicole Okoneski
310-854-8189
NICOLE OKONESKI | ROGERS & COWAN
Director
CU’s Chucky Jeffery sign’s contract w/WNBA New York Liberty
Aug 5th
BOULDER – Former University of Colorado guard Chucky Jeffery has signed a 7-day contract with the New York Liberty of the WNBA.
She is the first Colorado player to find her name on a regular season WNBA roster since Tera Bjorklund played four games for the Charlotte Sting in 2004.
Jeffery was originally selected by the Minnesota Lynx with 12th pick of the second round (24th overall) of the 2013 WNBA Draft. She played in two preseason games for Minnesota before being released prior the beginning of the regular season.
The Liberty are coached by former NBA standout Bill Laimbeer. New York is currently 8-12 and resides in fifth place in the Eastern Conference. The Liberty have three games scheduled in the next seven days, including a Tuesday morning game (9 a.m. MT) against Washington at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
A 5-foot-10 guard from Colorado Springs, Colo., Jeffery led Colorado in scoring (13.7 ppg), assists (4.0 apg), rebounds (8.2 rpg) and steals (2.2 spg) in 2012-13. One of the most dynamic players in Colorado history, Jeffery was an honorable mention All-American and a Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) All-Region nominee for the 2013 WBCA Division I Coaches’ All-America Team.
Jeffery was named All-Pac-12 for the second-straight year by both the media and the coaches. She also earned Pac-12 All-Tournament honors and was an honorable mention to the coaches’ All-Defensive team. She is the only player in program history to record 1,600 points, 900 rebounds and 400 assists, ending her career sixth in scoring (1,644), fifth in rebounding (921) and fourth in assists (481).
Tera Bjorklund was the last CU player to make the WNBA roster.
She also ranks third in minutes played (3,965), fourth in steals (283) and steals average (2.3 spg), fifth in double-doubles (30), sixth in assists average (3.8 apg) and field-goals made (619), seventh in minutes average (31.7 mpg), ninth in rebound average (7.4 rpg), starts (108) and games played (125), 11th in free-throws made (331), 13th in blocks (71), 14th in scoring average (13.2 ppg) and 15th in 3-point field goals (75).
Colorado finished the 2012-13 season at 25-7 overall and fourth place in the Pac-12 at 13-5. The Buffaloes, who were ranked No. 19 in the final AP Top 25 poll, advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the 13th time in team history and first time since 2004.
Troy Andre
Assistant SID/Internet Managing Editor
University of Colorado
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