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Colorado A Big Winner In The USA Pro Challenge

DENVER (CBS4) – The USA Pro Challenge is not just a victory for the cyclists, but also for Colorado.

On Broadway just south of Colfax Avenue cyclists blazed across the finish line Sunday afternoon and it drew thousands of spectators.

"It's really exciting," said 10-year-old Kylan Pfitzer, who loves to ride his bike.

USA Pro Challenge - Stage 7

Kylan and his father Troy Pfitzer were decked out for their first father-son ride up Lookout Mountain.

"Yeah, it was pretty hard," Kylan said.

Alongside countless bike racing enthusiasts, they cheered on the world's top cyclists as they zoomed through the final stage's highest point.

"There's no other sport where you can get as close to the action as you can watching pro cycling," said Tom Flanagan, bike racing enthusiast.

This year's USA Pro Challenge path took the pros on a 550-mile route from Aspen to Denver with no shortage of fans.

"Watching the top pro cyclists in the world flash by while you're having a drink and a bite -- can you think of a better way to spend a Sunday?," Justin Bresler with Visit Denver said.

PHOTO GALLERIES: USA Pro Challenge, Stage 1 |Stage 2Stage 3Stage 4Stage 5Stage 6Stage 7

Bresler says the 7-day race is good for the city and great for the state, bringing about $100 million in tourism revenue each summer.

"The race really is like a week-long commercial for the state," Bresler said. "The spectators are all over the state, the riders are all over the state, and it just really puts a spotlight on our great outdoor culture.

"The whole week has been fantastic," USA Pro Challenge COO Chris Colon said.

Colon says an estimated 250,000 people filled downtown to watch the cyclists cross the finish line on Sunday.

"Just look at the backdrop, there's so much stuff here to do, just for families alone," Colon said. "I mean, until you come out and experience it for yourself, you've got to see it."

Events that bring tourists to Denver like the USA Pro Challenge bring in an estimated $4 billion to Denver's economy each year.

This was the fourth year in a row that USA Pro Challenge has held the race in Colorado.

LINKS: Visit Denver | USA Pro Challenge

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