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Some of the greatest bike racers in the world shared the stage with Lindsey Vonn on Thursday, August 23, in Beaver Creek where she presented a lifetime Vail Resorts season ski pass to the winner of the Aspen to Beaver Creek stage of the 2012 U.S. Pro Challenge.

“We’re very excited that Lindsey was able to fit it into her training schedule to join us for the UPC race finish in Beaver Creek,” explained Ceil Folz, president of the Vail Valley Foundation and president of the Beaver Creek UPC local organizing committee. “She has always drawn inspiration from other great athletes from all sports and I know she’s excited to have the chance to experience world class bike racing in her own backyard.”

The Vail Resorts lifetime season ski pass was rolled out as the Vail Time Trial award during the inaugural U.S. Pro Challenge last summer, with Levi Leipheimer taking home the prize. The pass provides lifetime skiing privileges at Vail and Beaver Creek.

In addition to the international cyclists that will “ascend” on Beaver Creek for the Stage 4 finish, Vonn will also have snow-related interests on her mind as the resort began construction earlier this summer on a new ladies’ Downhill course for the upcoming 2015 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Vail and Beaver Creek. The new race track, located adjacent to the internationally renowned Birds of Prey men’s racecourse, will have its first official World Cup test event in mid-December of 2013.

Vonn and the World Cup women paid their first ever visit to Beaver Creek this past winter as unseasonably warm temperatures in France forced the relocation of a ladies’ super-G to the resort the week following the traditional trio of men’s Birds of Prey World Cup races. Racing for the first time on the men’s course, the Vail resident ascended to the top step of the podium for the win.

Following her day at the races, Vonn will return to training for the coming winter, with a summer camp in Chile the next order of business.

For more information on the 2012 U.S. Pro Challenge, visit www.usaprocyclingchallenge.com.

In photo: Lindsey Vonn presents a lifetime season ski pass for Vail and Beaver Creek to U.S. Pro Cycling Challenge Stage 4 winner Jens Voigt of Germany in Beaver Creek. The stage began in Aspen and finished in Beaver Creek. Also on the podium were Germany’s Andreas Kloden (left) and American Tejay Van Garderen.

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