Officially established in 1903 under the Militia Act, Title 10 and Title 32 of the U.S. Code, the Army National Guard is part of the National Guard of the United States and is divided up into subordinate units stationed in each of the 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia operating under their respective governors.[4] The Army National Guard may be called up for active duty by the state governors or territorial commanding generals to help respond to domestic emergencies and disasters, such as those caused by hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes.[4]
The USA Pro Challenge, also known as America’s Race, is an annual multi-day professional road cycling stage race that first took place in Colorado in 2011. The race is marked especially by the incredible altitudes (over 12,000-feet), spectacular Colorado Rocky Mountain scenery and over one million annual fans onsite. In 2012, the race took place from August 20-26 and was rated as an 2.HC event on the UCI America Tour. The race began in Durango and took riders and fans on a 683-mile journey around the state. Riders from sixteen international, professional teams took place in the race, challenging the course’s 42,000 feet of vertical climbing and technical descents. After Stage 7’s Time Trial, Americans swept the podium with Christian Vande Velde winning the race, Tejay Van Garderen finishing second and Levi Leipheimer finishing third. The 2013 edition of America’s Race will take place August 19-25 and host cities will be announced in December 2012.