23 August 2014

Pro Challenge reports from the road Stage 6 - Vail Time Trial

The excitement of a high altitude time trial in the rain

Let's talk speed. In the rain and wind of Stage 6 in Vail, Tejay van Gardern actually beat his best time last year (25:01) in this individual time trial at high altitude with a winning time of 24:26. That's fast. That's over two minutes faster than Andy Hampsten's old record from the Coors Classic. Tejay is now 1:31 ahead in the overall lead of the 2014 USA Pro Challenge.

What a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon, even with the rain and cold.

Vail, Colorado has hosted the same time trial course three times.
Time Trial ready
RESULTS

Stage 6 Results

First - Tejay van Garderen (USA) of BMC Racing Team
Second - Tom Danielson (USA) of Team Garmin-Sharp
Third - Serghei Tvetcov (ROM) of Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis

GC Standings

First - Tejay van Garderen (USA) of BMC Racing Team
Second - Tom Danielson (USA) of Team Garmin-Sharp
Third - Serghei Tvetcov (ROM) of Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis

Jersey Winners

Yellow Jersey - Tejay van Garderen (USA) of BMC Racing Team
Green Jersey - Kiel Reijnen (USA) of UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
Polka-dot Jersey - Ben Jacques-Maynes (USA) of Jamis-Hagens Berman p/b Sutter Home
Blue Jersey - Clement Chevrier (FRA) of Bissell Development Team
Orange Jersey - Ben King (USA) of Team Garmin-Sharp
Dark Blue Colorado Rider Jersey - Tejay van Garderen (USA) of BMC Racing Team

General Classification after Stage 6 (via Steephill.TV)
USA  1  VAN GARDEREN, Tejay (BMC RACING)                     17:20:22
USA  2  DANIELSON, Thomas (GARMIN SHARP)                       + 1:31
MDA  3  TVETCOV, Serghei (JELLY BELLY P/B MAXXIS)              + 1:45
POL  4  MAJKA, Rafal (TINKOFF-SAXO)                            + 1:48

PRESS CONFERENCE

Some quotes from the Press Conference today post race with Tejay, Tommy D, and Serghei. You never hear these comments outside the press room, it's a shame because the guys are actually quite funny:

Tom Danielson shared the thoughts running through his mind near the end of the race, "I thought, all this pain could stop, I could just hit that banana guy right there, and then it would be over."

Tejay explained about power output, "If you do 500 watts, you're going to pay for it later." Tom Danielison interupted him, "Did you say 500 watts?"

Tejay van Garderen answering a question from the media about whether he knew he was ahead during the time trial, "No I didn't get time splits... Only give me the times sprints if I'm up. "

PHOTOS  click any photo to enlarge  All photos by Karen of Pedal Dancer

The day

Vail Pass was quiet in the morning rain
Very good viewing at the start ramp area where the rain was much lighter in Vail Village

The fans
Sizzle on Vail Pass
There was actually an amateur time trial that attempted to race through this mess of fun
Lots of play time on Vail Pass today
Bubbles and beer

The race
As Drapac hit the course, it was pouring rain on Vail Pass and clear below in Vail Village
Ted King came racing by and of course I had to cheer for him very loudly
Some men just love to race a time trial - Ben Jacques-Maynes (polka-dot jersey)
Matej Mohoric on the start ramp
I like this photo of Luis Davila (Jelly Belly)
A very happy Kiel Reijnen (sprinters jersey) and very happy fans watching his smile
Mic Rogers!
Laurent Didier (French National TT Champion)
Jens Voigt's last professional ITT- the crowd went crazy as he rolled down the ramp
Frank Schleck races in the rain
Carter Jones takes off
Rafal Majka trying to stay warm before his race
Serghei Tvetcov waiting to race - Can't you jest feel the anxiety
Tejay waiting for his race of truth
Tejay walks to the start ramp
The podium
Sierra Nevada for the stage winners
Young Clement Chevrier is still representing CSU Rams and the Best Young Riders jersey very well
Ben King was again in orange (Most Aggressive Rider jersey) at the end of the stage

Tejay has this race wrapped up (if all goes well tomorrow).

Tejay likes Colorado
This is the Tejay wave

If there is ever a decision to be made between Khaki pants and cycling legs - I choose cycling legs.

These legs are Ben King's

NEXT STAGE

Stage 7 activities and schedule for the day: 
Sunday, August 24, 2014, Boulder - Golden - Denver

SUNDAY, STAGE 7 : 78 miles  Stage Map PDF  Stage Profile PDF
Boulder - Golden - Lookout Mountain - circuits in Denver (different route than 2013 in downtown Denver!)

Stage 7 Start time: 12:30pm
Stage 7 Finish time: 3:50pm
Stage 7 Timetable.pdf

State Highways Impacted: SH 93, US 40, SH 391 (Kipling Street), SH 121 (Wadsworth), SH 95 (Sheridan), I-25, USA Pro Challenge Road Closures 2014
* Please note that the route of the circuit laps in downtown Denver does not go down Speer Blvd or through Larimer Street this year. The race is concentrated around Civic Center Park, along 17th Street, and in City Park. The finish again is in front of the State Capital Building.

BOULDER - Sunday, Stage 7
http://www.usaproboulder.com
Sunday: !0:30-2:00pm - Festival in Boulder
Sunday: Stage 7 Start in Boulder at 12:30pm at 18th and Pearl St
Best viewing: Team buses, sign-in, and Start line in Boulder

GOLDEN - Sunday, Stage 7
On the path of the 2014 USA Pro Challenge - Golden by Pedal Dancer® (My tips)
Golden Events 
Friday: 3:00pm Lookout mountain closes to traffic (through 2:00pm Sunday 8/24/14)
Sunday: Stage 7 Start in Boulder at 12:30pm
Sunday: the race will be in Golden from 1:00-3:00pm
Sunday: Stage 7 Finish in Denver at 3:50pm
Best viewing: Sprint in town or on Lookout Mountain

DENVER - Sunday, Stage 7

On the path of the 2014 USA Pro Challenge - Denver by Pedal Dancer® (My tips)
Sunday: 11:00-5:00pm - Festival in Denver Civic Center Park
Sunday: 3:50pm - Stage 7 Finish in Denver
Sunday: 4:15pm (approx.) final podium presentation near finish line in Denver
Best viewing: VIP tents, near Broadway, along 17th St, or in City Park.
 
2014 USA Pro Challenge - Stage 7 route map
Look for these men tomorrow

USA PRO CHALLENGE Race, travel and fan guide by Pedal Dancer®