USA Pro Challenge: Danielson wins stage 4, Vande Velde claims overall lead after tough Cottonwood Pass stage

Posted on August 22, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Stage Four: Aspen to Beaver Creek!

The peloton climbs toward the summit of Cottonwood Pass during stage three of the USA Pro Challenge from Gunnison to Aspen, August 22, 2012 in Chaffee County, Colorado. Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — After a breakaway near Cottonwood Pass, American Tom Danielson held on to his lead in Stage 3 of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge, crossing the finish line in Aspen with the peleton closing fast. Full standings here.

Tom Danielson, riding for Garmin-Sharp, launches a solo attack to the summit of Independence Pass en route to winning stage three of the USA Pro Challenge from Gunnison to Aspen, August 22, 2012. Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images.

During his breakaway, Danielson led the pack by up to a minute, a lead that would have given him the yellow jersey — but that honor ultimately went to Christian Vande Velde, who now holds the overall lead.

Italian Damiano Caruso (Liquigas-Cannondale) took second in the stage, with Danish racer Jakob Fuglsang (RadioShack-Nissan-Trek) taking third.

The 130 mile Queen stage started in Gunnison and inlcuded two sprints and three King of the Mountain competitions.

Stage four starts 11.35 a.m. in Aspen with an uphill finish in Beaver Creek.

Stage 3

  • First Place – Tom Danielson (USA) of Garmin-Sharp-Barracuda
  • Second Place – Damiano Caruso (ITA) of Liquigas-Cannondale
  • Third Place – Jakob Fuglsang (DEN) of RadioShack-Nissan-Trek

Jerseys

  • Exergy Leader Jersey – Christian Vande Velde (USA) of Garmin-Sharp-Barracuda
  • Waste Management Sprint Jersey – Damiano Caruso (ITA) of Liquigas-Cannondale
  • Nissan King of the Mountains Jersey – Tom Danielson (USA) of Garmin-Sharp-Barracuda
  • Aquadraat Best Young Rider Jersey – Joseph Lloyd Dombrowski (USA) of Bontrager Livestrong Team
  • Evolve Most Aggressive Rider Jersey – Francisco Jarley Colorado Hernandez (COL) of EPM-UNE

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Full team rosters announced for USA Pro Cycling Challenge

Posted on August 9, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Top American racer Tom Danielson will compete with the world's best during the upcoming USA Pro Cycling Challenge. Photo courtesy John Pierce, PhotoSport International.

National champs, Tour de France stage winners and local favorites slated to compete in stage race through Colorado

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — The news just keeps getting better for cycling fans, as the lineup for the inaugural USA Pro Cycling Challenge is now set to include George Hincapie of BMC Racing Team, Christian Vande Velde of Garmin-Cervélo and Robert Gesink of Rabobank Cycling Team.

“This is no doubt one of the best fields ever assembled on American soil,” said racer Tom Danielson, a Boulder resident considered by many as one of the front runners to win the seven-day stage race through the Colorado Rockies. “It’s a diverse blend of top professional teams from various continents and the altitude adds an element of unpredictability.  No doubt, it is a special field that will put on a great showing.”

Race organizers released the full provisional team rosters for the race this week. The race starts Aug. 22 with a prologue in Colorado Springs, then wends through the heart of the Rockies with climbs over two 12,000 foot passes before ending in Denver on Aug. 28.

The will also feature two Olympic medalists from the Beijing Games and more than 15 current or former national champions. The elite professional roster of teams, which includes 136 riders, is comprised of eight teams that competed in the Tour de France, four Pro Continental teams and five Continental teams. (more…)

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Top Tour finishers set for USA Pro Cycling Challenge

Posted on August 2, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

2011 Tour de France podium finisher Andy Schleck will race in the inaugural USA Pro Cycling Challlenge. PHOTO VIA THE CREATIVE COMMONS.

Multi-day stage race across Colorado will include world’s best racers

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — The top three finishers at this year’s Tour de France will all be racing in the Aug. 22-28 USA Pro Cycling Challenge, race officials said this week, confirming earlier reports that  Fränk and Andy Schleck will compete in the stage race across Colorado with Tour de France champion Cadel Evans.

“The confirmed participation of the sport’s premiere athletes is a monumental achievement for the event in its first year,” said Sean Petty, chief operating officer for USA Cycling. “It shows the interest and intrigue in what will prove to be an epic battle through the Colorado Rockies.”

The top American finisher, Tom Danielson, is also confirmed to compete along with two-time Giro d’Italia winner Ivan Basso of Italy.

“Our goal is to assemble one of the best competitive fields an American professional stage race has ever seen,” said Shawn Hunter, co-chairman of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge. “This is a great moment of truth for the sport in America and for our race. To have secured such an incredible lineup of teams along with the greatest riders in the world is a credit to what the owners have committed to do in the event’s inaugural year.” (more…)

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