Must Read: Boulder should not host a 2014 USA Pro Challenge stage
The local organizing committee proposes the city host a start, not a full stage, in 2014
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Colorado flooding puts Boulder’s role in jeopardy for 2014 Pro Challenge — Daily Camera
Because of the flooding that caused massive damage and washed out several roads last month, Boulder, Colorado should not host a full stage at next year’s USA Pro Challenge, proposed local organizing committee co-chair Andrew Shoemaker on Tuesday.
Instead, Shoemaker suggested the city host a stage start on a Sunday during the race that would save $50,000 and would avoid country roads — including those leading up to the Flagstaff climb — that are still closed to the general public.
“Among other things, the state of the county roads — including Flagstaff Road and other mountain roads involved in a Boulder finish — are in flux,” Shoemaker told the Boulder City Council. “We do not know what condition they will be in by this summer, and the LOC (local organizing committee) and Pro Challenge organization do not want to put any undue pressure on the county’s road repair priorities. The race is also sensitive to budget issues. While invaluable from a branding and marketing perspective, the Flagstaff stage is expensive.”
Boulder hosted a full stage in 2012 but did not play a role in this year’s race.