More than one million spectators attended the USA Pro Challenge, according to a study by IFM North America, a global sports research firm.
USA Pro Challenge commissioned the report for its Aug. 20-26 event.
In addition to live spectators, NBC and NBC Sports Network broadcast 31 hours of coverage in the US. The race was also broadcast to 175 countries and territories around the world.
“The crowds at the 2012 USA Pro Challenge were unlike anything I’ve ever seen outside of the big races in Europe,” said Shawn Hunter, CEO of the Pro Challenge. “Driving the course every day and seeing the enthusiasm and passion from the fans lining the streets really gave a sense of the growing support for the sport of cycling in the U.S. This race showcases Colorado and provides an incredible economic impact that will hopefully be here for years to come.”
The 2012 race attracted spectators from at least 25 states across the country, with the top five after Colorado being Texas, Florida, New Mexico, Arizona and California.
More than half of spectators asked reported that they ride a bike regularly, while about 22 percent said they seldom or never ride a bike.
This year was the second edition of the event. The 2012 course took riders over 683 miles, with more than 42,000ft of climbing.
