Telluride was the perfect backdrop for Stage 1
We woke to rain this morning in Telluride and heard that rain was falling in Durango as well. We thought of the riders having to descend Lizard Head Pass, but did we hesitate to begin our day as fans - no. Not for a minute. We were excited for what lie ahead. We dressed in our favorite fan shirts, jerseys, and hats. We brought our signs and pins. By the end of the day, together we had bought or picked up a new BMC kit, 2 BMC hats, 2 Garmin jackets, a VIP ticket, a Press Photo vest, and a lot of free cowbells and swag. We returned home with a complete fan experience in Telluride thrilled that the rest of the world got to experience the incredible riding we have right here in Colorado.
The race was broadcast to over 130 countries around the world including Antarctica. We listened as the voices of Phil Liggett and and Paul Sherwen narrated the roads and scenery that are in our backyard. We chuckled as Phil Liggett pronounced Hoosier Pass as "Who-zee-air Pass" adding a French twist in his familiar English accent to our local mountain pass near Breckenridge. It was a sign that the USA Pro Cycling Challenge had returned in 2012, and we were thrilled to be going to the race.
The fans began to gather in downtown Telluride under a backdrop that looked like it was created by a movie special affects studio. The mood was relaxed and fun as fans walked the streets, ate outside at cafes, and wandered through the Expo in the park.
At the Start in Telluride for Stage 1 - 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge All images by Karen at Pedal Dancer®, please click any image to enlarge.
Young fans selling Lemonade
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| Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer® |
Spectacular setting in a mountain town in Colorado
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| Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer® |
The best cowboy coffee in town
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| Coffee please. Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer® |
The fans began to line the route
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| Magnificent. Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer® |
The pom pom girls were there
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| Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer® |
The media photographers took their place at the finish line
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| Ready to capture the action. Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer® |
The Race Director Jim Birrell showed up, with media relation's Nicole Okoneski.
Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®
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| Jim Birrell and Nicole Okoneski of USA Pro Challenge. Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer® |
CEO of USPCC Shawn Hunter happily surveyed the crowds at the finish line
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| Shawn Hunter of USA Pro Challenge. Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer® |
The fans in the VIP tent were ready, (they were also eating ice cream sundaes! I wanted one)
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| Waiting for the finish. Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer® |
Happy fans waited in the Club Seating area at the finish
They were ready to start cheering like mad
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| Happy fnas. Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer® |
Everyone was waiting for the sprint finish ....
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| The crowds in Telluride. Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer® |
Then suddenly a roar filled the air as the riders came ripping around the last corner, the sounds of cheers from the fans building as we all watched together ..... who will win? ... go ... Go!!!!
Tyler Farrar wins Stage 1! Yeah!
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| I love this shot of Tyler on the line. Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer® |
Fast Freddy Rodriguez wasn't fast enough today
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| Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer® |
Our new Best Young Rider Gavon Mannion (Bontrager Livestrong Team) crossed the line with tremendous effort, great job.
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| Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer® |
Christian Vande Velde worked hard for a team win.
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| Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer® |
Team Garmin-Sharp-Barracuda did a great job on Stage 1.
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| Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer® |
Ted King comes across the line
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| He is Ted King. Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer® |
United Healthcare riders show the effort it took to ride the 125.7 miles from Durango to Telluride.
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| A hard first Stage. Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer® |
Peter Velits came across alone ... but tomorrow is a new stage
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| Peter Velits rolls across the line. Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer® |
Podium Presentation
Stage winner Tyler Farrar and the new Podium Girls for the 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge
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| Tyler Farrar wins the first Stage. Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer® |
Stage 1 podium:
1. Tyler Farrar (USA), Garmin-Sharp-Barracuda
2. Alessandro Bazzana (ITA), Team Type 1-SANOFI
3. Damiano Caruso (ITA), Liquigas-Cannondale
Look how happy hometown boy Tom Danielson was about taking the Climbers jersey (You mean Telluride is not Tom's hometown? I am so confused.)
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| So happy. Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer® |
I love this picture of Tommy
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| Tom Danielson in dots. Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer® |
Representing the young fans were the two sons of Shawn Hunter, who presented the orange jersey to Peter Stetina, winner of the Most Aggressive Rider classification.
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| Peter Stetina and Shawn Hunter's two sons. Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer® |
The new jersey winners from Stage 1 of the 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge
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| Gavon, Tyler, Tommy, Peter. Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer® |
Peter Stetina after the race.
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| Peter Stetina Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer® |
Brothers Dale Stetina and Wayne Stetina, Peter's Father and Uncle - both U.S. National Road Champions, were at the race to see Peter get his jersey. A happy day for a cycling family.
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| Dale Stetina and Wayne Stetina. Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer® |
I would like to share a special race feature presented by Training Peaks. They are offering race analysis for the USA Pro Challenge from Stage 1 featuring Timmy Duggan, Tejay van Garderen, Lucas Euser, and Jani Brajkovic. You may follow them daily through the week, please visit the USAPC analysis pages at trainingpeaks.com/USAPCChttp://home.trainingpeaks.com/races/usa-pro-cycling-challenge.aspx. Post race analysis from Stage 1: Durango-Telluride.
Come along to Montrose tomorrow for the start of Stage 2......
Stage 1 Results from the desk of Nicole Okoneski of Rogers & Cowan
· First Place – Tyler Farrar (USA) of Garmin-Sharp-Barracuda
· Second Place – Alessandro Bazzana (ITA) of Team Type 1-SANOFI
· Third Place – Damiano Caruso (ITA) of Liquigas-Cannondale
Jerseys
· Exergy Leader Jersey – Tyler Farrar (USA) of Garmin-Sharp-Barracuda
· Waste Management Sprint Jersey – Tyler Farrar (USA) of Garmin-Sharp-Barracuda
· Nissan King of the Mountains Jersey – Tom Danielson (USA) of Garmin-Sharp-Barracuda
· Aquadraat Best Young Rider Jersey – Gavin Mannion (USA ) of Bontrager Livestrong Team
· Evolve Most Aggressive Rider Jersey – Peter Stetina (USA) of Garmin-Sharp-Barracuda
Visit the official race website at: www.ProChallenge.com
Catching up with Training Peaks - all week long Training Peaks will be sharing the files of selected riders. Visit their site daily for updates. View the power analysis of Stage 1
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They were ready to start cheering like mad
