PHOTOS: 2012 Pro Cycling Challenge routes

Stage 3 of the 2012 Pro Cycling Challenge is almost an exact replica of last year's "Queen Stage." The pros ride from Gunnison to Aspen over two of the highest points of the race. It was a big deal with monstrous crowds last year.

On Day 2, a very familiar site from the 2011 route when riders finished atop Mount Crested Butte. Stage two's 65-mile day begins in downtown Montrose and climbs over the Cerro and Blue Mesa summits before cruising through Gunnison and heading towards the Butte.

There will be nowhere to hide from Day 1 on Monday, Aug. 20: a challenging stage takes riders from Durango to Telluride. The day begins with a 5-mile loop around downtown Durango and climbs up Lizard Head Pass before heading into a sprint finish in Telluride.

After riders spend the night Aspen following Stage 3, they will climb out of the only start/finish city on this year's route via Independence. Stage 4 features a sprint through Leadville, followed by Tennessee Pass, Vail and eventually into Beaver Creek for another mountain top finish.

Fans will have multiple opportunities to see riders in Boulder during Stage 6 and the same holds true for the final day in Denver. Unlike other bike races, Stage 7 is no gentlemen's ride, it's a time trial.

Stages 6 & 7 will have the Front Range buzzing, especially Stage 6 From Golden to Boulder.

This year, organizers are aiming to mix that up including in Stage 5, which favors the sprinters from Breckenridge to Colorado Springs.