The race route for the USA Pro Cycling Challenge prologue on Aug. 22 in Colorado Springs begins in the Garden of the Gods and finishes in downtown Colorado Springs.

VIDEO: Chris Carmichael talks about the USA Pro Cycling Challenge prologue...

Route maps for each stage
Information on each route.

A lot of hard work goes into planning a major professional bike race, but you have to figure Chris Carmichael had some fun choosing the prologue time trial route for the USA Pro Cycling Challenge.
Carmichael is the owner of Carmichael Training Systems and the coach of seven-time Tour de France Champion Lance Armstrong. He was also a pro cyclist and he knows what works in a bike race.
On Aug. 22, many of the world's top riders will begin Colorado's new stage race in the Garden of the Gods. They'll finish in downtown Colorado Springs.
"This is just about the perfect way to highlight the best  of Colorado Springs," said Carmichael, who is leading the local race organizing committee. "Racing in the Garden of the Gods, in the shadow of Pikes Peak, and finishing about a half a block from the new U.S. Olympic Committee headquarters, that's what I wanted and it all worked out."
The time trial format - a race against the clock - demands speed: fast bikes, strong legs and a willingness to suffer. On Carmichael's route, a roller coaster ride that includes a blazing fast descent of Ridge Road, the cyclists will need one more important element - brakes.
"That's a steep downhill and it will be fast," Carmichael said.

At the bottom of Ridge Road - the fastest portion of the course - the riders will burn their brakes losing speed in preparation for a hard left turn onto Pikes Peak Ave. From there, they'll turn right on 29th and then left on Colorado Ave., sprinting the final few miles.
After months of bumpy preparation that included a makeover in the organizational structure and a new event name - it began as the Quiznos Pro Challenge - race officials are finally releasing their plans.
The week of Aug. 15-22 is going to be a busy one in Colorado Springs, with thousands of cycling fans visiting the area. The race will be a public relations gold mine for the Pikes Peak area and the Convention and Visitors Bureau, the City of Colorado Springs and members of the cycling community are working to take advantage of the moment.
Carmichael said current plans include a BMX event, racing at the Velodrome, a VIP ride with bicycling celebrities Alison Dunlap, Bob Roll and Carmichael, a family ride to benefit Kids on Bikes, a criterium, a hill climb challenge in Cheyenne Canon, racing at the velodrome, a gala dinner with the riders and a downtown festival where race fans can taste the culture of professional cycling.
The economic impact will be huge, but Colorado Springs will have to work for it.
"The cycling enthusiast that comes to Colorado Springs - these will be people who have the economic means to spend a few days here, so we want to build an awarness of what a great community we have for cycling," Carmichael said.
Having the prologue helps Colorado Springs because all of the event promotion - which will reach cycling's huge international market -  points to the prologue.
And if Colorado Springs wants to host the event again, it will have to put a good show. The current agreement is for this year only.
"Obviously, if we do a great job, I think we can present a great case for keeping the stage here," Carmichael said.