USA Pro Challenge 2013 - Results Stage 4

Steamboat Springs to Beaver Creek Colorado - Race Results

This was the day that I knew minutes would separate the top twenty in the general classification at the end of Stage 4.  When I studied the route closely and then went out and rode the climb to Beaver Creek and up Bachelor Gulch last Saturday, it was clear that today's stage was no longer a stage for an all-rounder (as it had been in 2012 when Jens Voigt took the stage win). The addition of the climb up Bachelor Gulch would shatter the group and leave gaps. I predicted it weeks ago when I wrote the guide to the day's stage and felt more certain in the last couple of days.

Tomorrow we will see another reshuffling of the top ten on GC as the time trial specialists make their mark in the individual time trial up Vail Pass. Some of the true climbers will be weeded out. Tejay van Garderen should remain on top, with Tom Danielson moving up to podium position. There are no points or KOM points awarded on an ITT day, so Matt Cooke and Peter Sagan are safe in their jerseys.

Quotes from the day:

“That thing (Bachelor Gultch) is incredible,” said Matt Cooke. “I’m just impressed that anyone can ride up that pretty fast. It was steep and one heck of a course.”

“The biggest challenge was the bottom of Bachelor Gulch. It was an insanely hard tempo,” said van Garderen.

As I rode the climb myself, I had a clear knowledge, this is where separation anxiety will kick in. And sure enough - it was the exact place Tejay was describing. It is so great to get out and ride these routes before the pros come through because you can really understand the road, the tactics, and what the riders go through on race day. Sure they may do it faster, but we can do it too - any day of the year!

Driving over Vail Pass in route to Stage 4 in Beaver Creek, Colorado this morning.  Photo © By Karen at Pedal Dancer®

USA Pro Challenge Finish are in Beaver Creek. Photo © By Karen at Pedal Dancer®

My view of the pristine golf course in Beaver Creek as I walked down the race route today. Photo © By Karen at Pedal Dancer®

Today's results from the tour in Colorado.

Stage 4 Results:
1. Janier Alexis Acevedo (COL) of Jamis-Hagens Berman p/b Sutter Home
2. Tejay van Garderen (USA) of BMC Racing Team
3. Mathias Frank (SUI) of BMC Racing Team

GC Standings:

General Classification after Stage 4
USA  1  VAN GARDEREN, Tejay (BMC RACING)      15:44:59
SUI  2  FRANK, Mathias (BMC RACING)           + 4
COL  3  ACEVEDO COLLE, Javier Alexis (JAMIS0  + 30
USA  4  DANIELSON, Thomas (GARMIN SHARP)      + 40
AUS  5  MORTON, Lachlan David (GARMIN SHARP)  + 1:17
CRC  6  OBANDO BRENES, Gregory (CHAMPION SYSTEM) + 1:37
COL  7  ATAPUMA HURTADO, Darwin (COLOMBIA)       + 1:52
ITA  8  CARUSO, Damiano (CANNONDALE)             + 1:58
AUS  9  SUTHERLAND, Rory (SAXO-TINKOFF)          + 1:58              
USA  10 EUSER, Lucas (UNITEDHEALTHCARE)          + 1:58              
SUI  11 SCHÄR, Michael (BMC RACING)              + 2:03
IRL  12 DEIGNAN, Philip (UNITEDHEALTHCARE)       + 2:03              
NZL  13 BENNETT, George (RADIOSHACK LEOPARD)     + 2:03               
USA  14 JONES, Carter (BISSELL CYCLING)          + 2:07

USA  15 CRADDOCK, Lawson (BONTRAGER CYCLING)     + 2:14
USA  16 WILSON, Nathan (BONTRAGER CYCLING)       + 2:35
ESP  17 MEGIAS LEAL, Javier (NOVO NORDISK)       + 3:54
NZL  18 ORAM, James (BONTRAGER CYCLING)          + 4:03
USA  19 BUTLER, Chris (CHAMPION SYSTEM)          + 4:05
POR  20 PIRES, Bruno (SAXO-TINKOFF)              + 4:11

Classification Jerseys after Stage 4:
Yellow (overall) - Tejay van Garderen (USA) of BMC Racing Team
Green (sprint) - Peter Sagan (SVK) of Cannondale Pro Cycling
Red (climber) - Matt Cooke (USA) of Jamis-Hagens Berman p/b Sutter Home
Blue (young) - Lachlan David Morton (AUS) of Team Garmin-Sharp
Orange (aggressive) - Michael Rogers (AUS) of Team Saxo-Tinkoff

Video: Chris Froome Humbled by Colorado Altitude (01:17 English) Bicycling
Video: Tejay van Garderen Post-Stage 4 (01:21 English) Bicycling
 
Photos from the Day:

click any image to enlarge

Lachlan Morton tried, but failed to hold onto his yellow jersey today. Photo © By Karen at Pedal Dancer®

When Tejay bumped Lachlan Morton out of the yellow jersey, Lachlan took over the blue jersey which had been on loan to Lawson Craddock (Bontrager). Photo © By Karen at Pedal Dancer®

Jens Voigt (Orange Jersey, right side) and Peter Sagan (green jersey, left side) approach the turn for the ascent up S. Holden Rd. Photo © By Karen at Pedal Dancer®

American National Champion Road Freddie Rodriquez on the climb. Photo © By Karen at Pedal Dancer®

Chris Froome climbs by next to David Millar and Dave Zabriskie. Photo © By Karen at Pedal Dancer®

Tejay van Garderen and Janier Alexis Acevedo in Beaver Creek 500m to the finish line. Photo © By Karen at Pedal Dancer®

Tejay leading up the hill to Beaver Creek.  Photo © By Karen at Pedal Dancer®

With a little discussion of who gets the win and who gets the jersey.  Photo © By Karen at Pedal Dancer®

Tommy D coming in strong.  Photo © By Karen at Pedal Dancer®

Gregory Obando Brenes of Costa Rica is now 6th on GC. Photo © By Karen at Pedal Dancer®

And before all the riders had even reached the top, some of them began the descent back down to their team buses at the base of the hill to change into dry clothes. Here Philip Deignan of Ireland descends rapidly. Photo © By Karen at Pedal Dancer®

Mic Rogers finishing a very aggressive stage. Photo © By Karen at Pedal Dancer®

Jens Voigt and Jason McCartney on the final climb. Photo © By Karen at Pedal Dancer®

A very wet Peter Sagan finishing the race today.  Photo © By Karen at Pedal Dancer®

And then Peter Sagan finding an alternative route down the hill after the stage. Photo © By Karen at Pedal Dancer®

Matt Cooke is pretty thrilled to be in his red and white jersey this week.  Photo © By Karen at Pedal Dancer®

These photos may not show it, but it really rained hard today at the end of the stage into Beaver Creek. Tomorrow rain is expected again, just in time for the top contenders to take to their TT bikes and race an individual time trial at high altitude. I'll see you on Vail Pass tomorrow to watch all the action. Bring a rain jacket!  


Tomorrow's Stage 5 of the 2013 USA Pro Challenge, August 23, 2013

Read the Pedal Dancer® FAN GUIDE to Stage 5 for the individual time trial in Vail. Timing of the day and where to watch the race. Stage 5 Start & Finish: USA Pro Challenge in Vail

For more information, and a listing of all race results, please visit the PEDAL DANCER RACE GUIDE PAGE: USA PRO CHALLENGE

Order of Riders Startlist for the time trial in Vail: USA Pro Challenge Startlist Stage 5 in Vail

Official website: www.usaprocyclingchallenge.com/
Official Spectator Guide: Official 2013 Spectator Guide