USA Pro Cycling Challenge in Minturn. Through the Lens Series, Entry 25.

There has been a ton of excitement in Colorado this last week with the USA Pro Cycling Challenge happening with 7 stages taking place in various parts of the state.  Last Wednesday was Stage 4.  A grueling leg of the journey that started in Aspen, went over Independence Pass and ended in Beaver Creek.  I was fortunate enough to be contracted out by the Minturn Community Fund to capture a small part of the big day.

There were plenty of spectators waiting at the finish line in Beaver Creek, but the best spot to see the action was definitely at the Sprint Line in Minturn.  The 200 meter sprint started at the southern end of town and went flying through Main Street.

I don't profess to know much about cycling, but it's obvious that spectators are there to party.  They spend the majority of their time waiting for the cyclists to arrive, so they might as well have a good time in the process. Once the cyclists arrive, they're gone again in a split second!

There was some amazing people watching at the Sprint Line.  The lady that was in charge of crowd control was fearless.  One spectator was daft enough to dangle his baby, Michael Jackson style, in front of the camera crews that were coming through on motorcycles.  Ms. Crowd Control saw what was happening and tackled the father to the ground in front of everyone!

Here are a few photos from the day, including some shots from the special Farmer's Market they held that day.

This is my favorite photo from the whole day.  I just love the spectators in the background.