Posts tagged Cannondale Pro Cycling
American Tejay van Garderen of BMC Racing wins the 2013 USA Pro Challenge
Aug 25th
Cannondale’s Peter Sagan Takes Fourth Stage Win of America’s Biggest Professional Cycling Race
Denver (Aug. 25, 2013) – The 2013 USA Pro Challenge came to an exciting conclusion today, as 2013 Tour de France Sprint Champion Peter Sagan (SVK) of Cannondale Pro Cycling took the stage to the roaring cheers of fans lining the route in Downtown Denver (his fourth stage win of the race). And with an overall time of 22 hours 38 minutes and 48 seconds, Tejay van Garderen (USA) of BMC Racing Team took home the overall win.
“I felt like this was a long time coming. I’ve been so close to winning before,” said van Garderen. “Races are difficult to be motivated for after July, but with this race on the calendar, it wasn’t a question on if I was going to stay motivated at all. This is my hometown race, so I wanted it bad. It feels amazing to finally get this win.”
Tejay van Garderen won the Pro Challenge Sunday in Denver
After a tough week of racing over mountains at high altitudes, the riders tackled their first flat stage of the race in Denver. Borrowing from the 2011 route for the ever-popular Denver circuit finish, Stage 7 included eight laps that would showcase LoDo, City Park, Civic Center Park and all the other highlights of downtown. Giving fans a chance to see the riders nine times and the riders plenty of opportunities to familiarize themselves with the course, the stage brought another exciting finish to seven days of fiercely competitive racing.
“The 2013 USA Pro Challenge was our best edition ever and we’ve learned more and more each year,” said Shawn Hunter, CEO of the USA Pro Challenge. “These athletes gave us a great show over the course of the last seven days. Fans from the start in Aspen to the finish in Denver witnessed the world’s best cyclists compete in the biggest race in America. The USA Pro Challenge is definitely coming back next year.”
Under beautiful sunny skies, the race kicked off with a very short neutral section and then officially started at City Park. At only 72.4 miles on a fast, flat circuit, the race would keep a steady tempo for the entire stage. At only five minutes into the stage there was a four-man breakaway, with three chasers following behind. The two groups quickly merged to form a seven-man break that would stick for most of the race. The break included:
- Ben King (USA) of RadioShack Leopard Trek RadioShack
- Christopher Juul Jensen (DEN) of Team Saxo-Tinkoff
- Chun Kai Feng (TPE) of Champion System Pro Cycling Team
- David Lozano Riba (ESP) of Team Novo Nordisk
- Lucas Euser (USA) of UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
- Tyler Wren (USA) of Jamis-Hagens Berman p/b Sutter Home
- Carson Miller (USA) of Jamis-Hagens Berman p/b Sutter Home
With fans lined along the entire circuit, the riders were motivated to put on a good show. Cannondale Pro Cycling led the chase in the field and the gap fluctuated between 50 seconds to one and a half minutes.
With three intermediate springs included in the stage at 6, 4 and 2 laps to go, the speed continued to stay up, averaging around 45 mph. At the first Clif Bar Sprint, King crossed the line first, followed by Miller and Feng. With the breakaway maintaining its lead, Wren took the next Clif Bar Sprint competition, followed by Feng, then Juul Jensen.
And for the last Sprint Bar competition of the race before the finish in Denver, it was Euser, followed by Feng and Miller. With two laps to go, the race started to heat up, with the field turning on the gas to catch the breakaway. Sensing that the end was drawing near, Euser attacked the break and pulled away. Miller and King caught up to create a new break of three in front of the splintering original group, but it wouldn’t be long before they were caught as well.
Leading into the final lap, 2012 USA Pro Challenge Champion Christian Vande Velde (USA) of Team Garmin-Sharp was out front as the peloton started the last nine miles. All the teams got set up to put their sprinters in position for the final dash to the finish line, and ultimately it was Sagan who pulled out the win, his fourth of the race. He was followed by Ryan Anderson (CAN) of Optum Presented by Kelly Benefit Strategies who took second in the stage and Alessandro Bazzana (ITA) of UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team who took third.
In the overall, van Garderen took first. With Mathias Frank (SUI) of BMC Racing Team taking second and Tom Danielson (USA) of Team Garmin-Sharp coming in third.
“The USA Pro Challenge has been a great addition for us. You always go in wanting to win,” said Danielson. “This was a strong course with stiff competition. I’m really happy and the team is really happy that we gave it our all and made the race. For me to finally stand on the podium in Denver was great.”
The 2013 USA Pro Challenge marked the final U.S. race for 2012 Champion Vande Velde, who finished in 22nd place today. Becoming a professional cyclist in 1998, Vande Velde has had a long and incredibly successful career.
“It was more emotional than I thought it would be, but I didn’t want to think about it too much,” said Vande Velde. “During the last lap, I just thought about so many things throughout my career up until this point. I’m really fortunate to have had this opportunity and to see three editions of this race. I’m glad I got to close it out here in Colorado.”
The final jerseys of the 2013 race were awarded this afternoon under blue skies in Downtown Denver. The Smashburger Leader Jersey went to van Garderen. Sagan kept his hold on the Clif Bar Sprint Jersey. Matt Cooke (USA) of Jamis-Hagens Berman p/b Sutter Homes hung on to the Nissan King of the Mountains Jersey (no points were awarded today). Lachlan David Morton (AUS) of Team Garmin-Sharp kept the Colorado State University Best Young Rider Jersey. And King was awarded the FirstBank Most Courageous Rider Jersey for his overall effort throughout the week.
For full results, archived footage, GPS data, course information, race play-by-play and more, please visit the official race website www.prochallenge.com.
About the USA Pro Challenge
Referred to as “America’s Race,” the USA Pro Challenge will take place August 19-25, 2013 and travel through eight host cities from Aspen to Denver. For seven consecutive days, the world’s top athletes race through the majestic Colorado Rockies, reaching higher altitudes than they’ve ever had to endure. After attracting more than 1 million spectators in 2012, making it one of the largest cycling events in U.S. history and the largest spectator event in the history of the state, the USA Pro Challenge is back for 2013. Featuring a challenging, 599-mile course, the third annual race will spotlight the best of the best in professional cycling and some of America’s most beautiful scenery.
More information can be found online at www.USAProChallenge.com and on Twitter at @USAProChallenge.
American Tejay van Garderen of BMC Racing Team Takes Overall Lead
Aug 22nd
Climber Janier Acevedo of Jamis-Hagens Berman Wins Stage Under Challenging Conditions
Beaver Creek, CO (Aug. 22, 2013) – The Queen Stage of the 2013 USA Pro Challenge presented the riders with a challenging day, starting in Beaver Creek, that included five climbs and ended in a downpour of rain. In a show of strength, Columbian climber Janier Alexis Acevedo of Jamis-Hagens Berman p/b Sutter Home powered up the road to Beaver Creek to take the stage win. Following just behind was Tejay van Garderen (USA) of BMC Racing Team who will now wear yellow heading into the Individual Time Trial tomorrow in Vail.
“Today was one of the most exciting days of racing we’ve had so far,” said Shawn Hunter, CEO of the USA Pro Challenge. “The number of attacks out there and the competitive level of racing we’re seeing from these pros is definitely keeping things interesting.”
Tejay van Garderen took the overall lead in the race
Stage 4 began today in Steamboat Springs with a neutral start that was cheered on by large crowds of spectators lining the streets.
“Colorado has really come out to support the USA Pro Challenge,” added Hunter. “Every city we visit and pass through along the route has fans out on the street cheering for the riders. It’s impressive.”
The race kicked into high gear jumping to speeds of 40 mph at the official race start on the edge of town. As with the other days of the race thus far, attacks started coming from the get-go. An initial attempt from Tour de France Champions Chris Froome (GBR) of Sky Procycling (2013) and Andy Schleck (LUX) of RadioShack Leopard Trek (2010) was unsuccessful and was reeled back in within a few minutes.
Shortly after, a group of nine riders pulled away. As some were dropped and others joined, the group got situated to include Timmy Duggan (USA) and Mick Rogers (AUS) of Team Saxo-Tinkoff, Danny Pate and (USA) Kanstantsin Siutsou (BLR) of Sky Procycling, Tony Gallopin (FRA) of RadioShack Leopard Trek, Lawrence Warbasse (USA) of BMC Racing Team, Davide Villella (ITA) of Cannondale Pro Cycling, Matt Cooke (USA) of Jamis-Hagens Berman p/b Sutter Home, and Serghei Tvetcov (MDA) of Jelly Belly p/b Kenda.
With about six miles until the first Nissan King of the Mountains (KOM) competition of the day, Jason McCartney (USA) of Bissell Pro Cycling made a move to bridge the gap up to the break, but wouldn’t be able to make the catch until later in the race.
Heading up the Category 4 climb at CR 27, Cooke led the way, reaching the top first and adding to his lead in the KOM Jersey competition, followed by Villella and Duggan. Charging at high speeds down into the small town of Oak Creek, the break approached the first and only Clif Bar sprint of the day. Siutsou barreled through the line first, followed by Warbasse and Duggan.
Heading uphill and through the Feed Zone, the riders started the ascent of the second Nissan KOM competition, a Category 4 climb at CO 131. Cooke reached the top first in an uncontested effort to increase his hold on the KOM Jersey, followed by Pate and Tvetcov.
During the descent, the break started losing time to the chasing peloton, reaching just under three minutes as they hit the valley floor. But as the peloton got closer to the top of the KOM, the gap increased again. Sensing the fate of the break, Siutsou seized the moment and attacked. He was joined by Gallopin, Warbasse, Rogers and Villella.
As they continued approaching the third Nissan KOM competition of the day, again a Category 4 at CO131, Pate and McCartney were reabsorbed by the Garmin-led peloton. This time Gallopin crested the climb first, followed by Siutsou and Rogers. On the 15-mile stretch through the valley leading into the biggest climb of the stage at Bachelor Gulch, Duggan lost contact with the chase, leaving just Tvetcov and Cooke in pursuit of the five ahead, but before long they were caught as well.
With just about 25 miles left to the uphill finish line in Beaver Creek, the peloton starting pushing the pace, with various teams jumping to the front in an effort to eventually reel back in the break. On a false flat leading into the fourth Nissan KOM competition of the day, Team Garmin-Sharp and BMC Racing Team controlled the front of the peloton, with lots of shuffling going on in the bunch as everyone got into position.
The tough climb up Bachelor Gulch really affected the riders, splitting them up into several groups, shattering the field. On the ascent, Rogers attacked the break, followed by Warbasse, leaving Gallopin and Villella chasing behind, and Siutsou falling back to the main group. But in the final three miles of the climb, Warbasse lost contact as well. The climb continued to break apart the riders leaving Rogers out front, followed by three chasers, then eight additional riders, followed by the peloton, and then the grupetto trying to hang on. As things continued to shake up, Mathias Frank (SUI) of BMC Racing Team, van Garderen, Tom Danielson (USA) of Team Garmin-Sharp and Acevedo, formed the group chasing down Rogers, which eventually they did and then proceeded to drop him on the climb.
“That thing (Bachelor Gultch) is incredible,” said Cooke. “I’m just impressed that anyone can ride up that pretty fast. It was steep and one heck of a course.”
Powering over the top, Danielson led, with van Garderen and Acevedo following. Now, with just more than seven miles to go until the finish in Beaver Creek, the pressure was building. On the descent, Acevedo attacked and was challenged by van Garderen, leaving Danielson, and eventually Frank, chasing just a few seconds back. Behind them a group of eight, including race leader Lachlan David Morton (AUS) of Team Garmin-Sharp was keeping pace at only about 30 seconds back.
“The biggest challenge was the bottom of Bachelor Gulch. It was an insanely hard tempo,” said van Garderen.
As the rain began to pound down on the riders, van Garderen and Acevedo powered through the final climb, lined with eagerly awaiting fans, to the finish line in Beaver Creek. Acevedo eventually took the stage, followed by van Garderen and 13 seconds later, Frank.
“I felt very good and confident,” said Acevedo. “I had to go as easy as I could going downhill, taking as little risk possible going around corners. I had a tremendous day today and I felt good about it. For me to win today is just amazing.”
The biggest change in today’s jerseys was van Garderen taking the Smashburger Leader Jersey. Rogers was awarded theFirstBank Most Courageous Rider Jersey for his work in the breaks. Several jerseys remain unchanged, including the Clif Bar Sprint Jersey (Peter Sagan (SVK) of Cannondale Pro Cycling), Nissan King of the Mountains Jersey (Cooke) and Colorado State University Best Young Rider Jersey (Morton).
Sagan strikes again!
Aug 22nd
Cannondale Pro Cycling’s Peter Sagan Wins Stage 3 of the 2013 USA Pro Challenge
Lachlan David Morton of Team Garmin-Sharp Holds on to Leader Jersey
Steamboat Springs, CO (Aug. 21, 2013) – Stage 3 of the 2013 USA Pro Challenge took the riders on a 105.9-mile route from one iconic ski town to another – Breckenridge to Steamboat Springs. Highlighted by a solo breakaway from veteran rider Jens Voigt (GER) of RadioShack Leopard Trek, the stage came down to an all-out spring to the finish, where 2013 Tour de France Sprint Jersey Winner Peter Sagan took his second stage win of the race. Lachlan David Morton (AUS) of Team Garmin-Sharp crossed the line with the peloton, holding onto the leader jersey heading into day four of the race.
Sagan performs a wheelie for fans
“It’s always amazing to see what these guys are capable of,” said Shawn Hunter, CEO of the USA Pro Challenge. “Between the stellar riding and the enthusiastic fans, this has been an incredible race so far. The crowds at the 2013 USA Pro Challenge continue to be humbling – we don’t get the crowds that we do out of luck, it’s because of the leadership in these communities and the remarkable racing from these world-class athletes.”
Following an exciting and extremely competitive day of racing yesterday, the Pro Challenge began today in Breckenridge at 9,400 ft. After completing three neutral laps around town, the riders began the downhill ride, hitting impressive speeds, to the first Nissan King of the Mountains (KOM) competition at Swan Mountain. Under a blue sky filled with beautiful clouds, the race started with several attacks, but nothing stuck. With fans lining the tight switchbacks, the riders neared the top with attacks flying left and right. Edward King (USA) of Cannondale Pro Cycling pulled ahead and was followed over the top by Matt Cooke (USA) of Jamis-Hagens Berman p/b Sutter Home and Voigt.
Taking advantage of the climb, Joshua Edmonson (GBR) of Sky Procycling, Voigt, Villella, Tyler Wren (USA) of Jamis-Hagens Berman p/b Sutter Home and Serghei Tvetcov (MDA) of Jelly Belly p/b Kenda (USA) created a gap and pulled away from the peloton heading toward the first Clif Bar sprint of the day in Silverthorne.
With a downhill approach to the sprint line, the riders reached speeds of 50 mph as Tvetcov catapulted over the line to take maximum points, followed by Voigt and Wren.
Senior rider Jens Voight led a furious chafe to the finish line
At ages ranging from 21 to 41, the breakaway riders continued to work together through the Feed Zone heading toward the next Clif Bar sprint line of the day in Kremmling. Showing his power and speed, Villella crossed the line first, followed by Tvetcov and Voigt.
On a straight and long road to the finish, the break continued to increase the gap, which got up to five minutes at one point. At just more than three hours into the stage, Voigt pulled away from the other four in an attempt to set himself up for the stage win and after several hard days of racing, they just weren’t able to hang on.
Leading into the final Nissan KOM of the day at Rabbit Ears Pass, a category 2 climb, it was Voigt out front with the four chasers about two minutes behind and the peloton about two minutes behind them. Powering up the five-mile climb filled with fans who had been camping out all day, Voigt reached the top first, followed by his former breakaway companions Edmonson and Wren. Back in the peloton, the Jamis-Hagens Berman p/b Sutter Home riders ensured that current Nissan King of the Mountains Jersey wearer Cooke was set up to reach the top next to hang onto his lead.
On the descent, the chase was caught by the peloton, leaving only veteran rider Voigt out in front. But the final 10K would present a long, flat straight-away, where the peloton would have Voigt in their sight. With different teams taking turns at the front, they quickly brought the gap down and eventually caught Voigt.
“I was disappointed (about being caught), but it could have been worse,” said Voigt. “I gave it a go. I saw it coming a little bit, but I was still disappointed.”
The sprinters set up for the final dash to the line in Steamboat Springs and ultimately Sagan took the win, followed closely by Luka Mezgec (SLO) of Team Argos-Shimano and Ryan Anderson (CAN) of Optum Presented by Kelly Benefit Strategies.
“I’m very happy about my stage win today and I want to thank all my teammates because they did great work,” said Sagan. “For now I feel good and I think I can do well on these climbs.”
The jerseys remained almost unchanged with Morton retaining the Smashburger Leader Jersey and the Colorado State University Best Young Rider Jersey; Sagan holding onto the Clif Bar Sprint Jersey; and Cooke keeping the Nissan King of the Mountains Jersey. Voigt was awarded the FirstBank Most Courageous Rider Jersey for his amazing solo effort during the stage.
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