USAPCC!!

That's right, the USA Pro Challenge is here!  And I couldn't be more excited!  Except, perhaps, if they were to find a better name for the race.  But they dropped the "Cycling" this year, so at least it's USAPC instead of USAPCC.  For the remainder of my coverage, I will just be calling it the PC.  Which also helps towards my quota of using the term "PC", which is required of people who come from Boulder.
Also, I got a little too wordy again.  This preview got long.  Sorry bout that.
Note: All images from www.usaprocyclingchallenge.com.  Do you see how long that URL is?

The Stages
The PC has taken some notes this year on making the race more viewer friendly, while keeping it exciting, and enticing the world's best riders.  Stages 1, 2, and 6 include multiple passes on locations, giving fans a chance to both not move AND see more than 1.5 seconds of action.  Stage 4 includes the now-famous uphill finish to Beaver Creek (sadly the only finishing climb of this year's edition, which is the planner's 1 miss).  Stage 5 is the even-more-famous, and brutal, TT out of Vail.  And stages 3 and 7 should give the sprinters a chance to participate, including to one of the most packed towns in the 1st edition of the PC (and my 2nd home town), Steamboat Springs.  Note: Steamboat doesn't require residents to use "PC", but they do require a cowboy hat and participation in an extremely dangerous sport of your choosing.

Stage 1: A neat route, and one I'm glad they put in.  Only 66 miles, it goes 3 laps around Aspen, and manages to pack in over 7700 feet of climbing.  I could really see this one going a couple different ways, too.

Stage 1: Round and Round

It's definitely not a warmup stage, or the prologue of year one, but a lot of times the riders will just ride a little easier on the opening day.  The guys will be getting acclimated, too, and some of the Europeans are only just getting in for this.  I think some motivated attackers will make the break work this stage, but it'll be tight.

Stage 2: Just your average 126 miles and 12,250 feet of climbing here.  Hope they got warmed up the day before, because stage 2 takes the climb that will always be in the PC, and adds some new flava.

Stage 2: Today is the day we declare our Independence

After ascending the classic Independence Pass (which I did this year!  Piece of cake... or something), they'll roll for a while, come up through Fairplay and over Hoosier Pass, a first swing through Breck, then circle back by way of Boreas Pass and what the site says are 15% grades.  I've also driven (not biked) the descent down Boreas Pass road they'll be taking back in to Breckenridge, and that should be pretty epic to watch.  Not an uphill finish, but that short punch to Boreas right at the end should break apart the group (you know, if the Jensie isn't all alone out front anyways).

Stage 3: Not that anything is easy about Rabbit Ears Pass, but chances are the breakaway will really just be for show on stage 3 (check the calendar, if a rider has a birthday on the 8/21, they'll be in it).  This is a repeat of a stage in the inaugural PC, which came down to what was really a fantastic bunch sprint finish.

Stage 3: I wish I had a Rabbit in a hat with a bat

Steamboat likes to call themselves Bike Town, USA, and they lived up to the moniker 2 years ago by having an outstanding crowd there.  I believe they'll live up to it again

Stage 4: Surprising brutal.  That was my response when I read about this stage.  For some reason Steamboat to BC seems like a cruiser with an uphill finish in my head.  It ain't.  It's 11,627 feet of climbing in just under 103 miles.  Bachelor's Gulch claims grades of 18%.  The 2km in to BC has made for amazing finishes both of the previous 2 years.  This stage and the TT the next day will decide your winner in 2013, I believe.

Stage 4: Ouch ouch, baby

Stage 5: The TT that got professional cycling back to CO.  Roughly.  The all-uphill, 10 mile TT requires the riders to seriously push their limits, while trying to save some for the end.  2 years ago, this stage was decided by .58 seconds, with Levi Leipheimer (not present) beating out CVV (present), and Tejay (also present) throwing a little bit of a tantrum after losing his Yellow jersey.  Tejay is older, CVV is back, and the course will be packed.

Stage 6: Welcome Loveland and Ft Collins in to fold (because, well, Boulder decided to pass this year... don't get me started there).  Luckily, the race stays on the eastern slope for the weekend, ensuring massive crowds.  Another stage with over 10k in climbing, but the long downhill and subsequent rollout should create a sprint again in Ft Collins.  What this stage will definitely offer, though, is the last KOM points of the race.  If this is still up for grabs, the climb up to Devil's Gulch could pack some fireworks.  The sprint finish also depends on the sprinters still being able to roll after 6 days of pretty intense riding.

Stage 6: The Devil went down to Ft. Collins.  See what I did there?

Stage 7: Basically, a way to lure as many people as possible to watch the grand finale.  I think attendance at the final TT last year was a bit underwhelming, because as good of an opportunity as it is to see each rider and stretch out the viewing, it lacks the thrill of the whole pack going by.  Which they will do 8 times.  If you are around, you should get down there, support the race, support the future of cycling in CO.  And see them go by 8 times!  If you get there early, you can even find spots where you'll be able to see them twice per lap.  The race will be decided already, but the bragging rights are on the line.

A Quick Word On the Riders
I have to pick Tejay to win.  He was disappointed in his showing at the TdF, after winning in Cali, and showed some good legs in week 3 of the Tour.  Is Chris Froome beatable, you might ask?  I suspect he'll still be in victory tour mode, making the rounds to let cycling fans see him in action, rather than really going for the win.  The true threat from Sky will be Richie Porte, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Froome put in some good work for Richie.  Garmin-Sharp is sending a beast of a squad, and both CVV and Danielson looked great in Utah (Tommy D being the winner).
There's not much in the way of "pure" sprinters, because, well, they'd get toasted.  But Sagan is more than capable of hanging with the group on most of the climbs, and will be looking to add to his resume.  Fast Freddie Rodriguez, reigning US champ, is not as Fast as he used to be, but will certainly be looking for some wins.

Parting Thoughts: The Bontrager development team, which has been a joy to watch, needs a new sponsor.  If you have 500 grand laying around and want to sponsor a team, now's your chance!