Cyclists from across Northern Colorado joined together Friday to deliver the region's bid to host a leg of the 2013 USA Pro Cycling Challenge next summer.

Supporters of the bid unveiled their proposal — including a suggested route — at a news conference Friday morning before handing over the bid to a bike messenger who delivered the document to the race organizer, Medalist Sports in Denver.
Nearly 20 communities submitted bids to host the third annual weeklong race, including many of last year's 12 hosts.
Fort Collins race supporter Eric Thompson said the race "would be one of the most exciting events to ever come to Northern Colorado."

"It would put the eyes of the whole world on our region, and the economic benefits would be realized over a long period," the president of The Group Real Estate firm said in a statement.
The Northern Colorado bid was submitted by Fort Collins, Loveland and Estes Park.
Their bid recommended a Northern Colorado route that begins at the Ranch Events Complex in Loveland and ends in downtown Fort Collins. The cost of hosting the Northern Colorado leg would be about $500,000, organizers have said.

The 2013 race is set for Aug. 18-24.
CLICK here for more on the bid.