Pro Challenge reports from the road Stage 7 - Boulder

The 2014 USA Pro Challenge is complete

It's over.

Tejay won, but three other men came close. Tom Danielson, Serghei Tvetcov, and Rafal Majka gave Tejay a run for the money. Matthew Busche came in a respectable fifth.The race on Sunday went something like this - Jens Voigt is in the break and BMC is controlling the pace. Okay nothing new, but nobody was expecting big racing on the final stage. It was great to see the race cover familiar territory and wrap up a full week of racing.

My day at the race - Boulder

After a fragmented start to the day in Boulder, where I had fun talking to Jamie the very funny on course MobilePA, Tim Madden a USA Cycling official, race announcer Brad Sohner, Mike Creed DS for TopSport, Chris Baldwin, Kimberly and Mauri who all drive the VIP cars, Sarah the Broom Wagon driver, and race owner Richard Schaden, I got a kick out of seeing Eric Marcotte walking down the street in jeans and a tshirt - nobody recognizing him as our current American National Champion Road.

There was a fun moment when local boy Taylor Phinney (BMC) rolled up to the start line on his cruiser bike looking like a Cutter from the movie Breaking Away. He was there to promote his Dad's Parkinson's organization and the orange wristbands for sell at Smashburger. All fun and games, fundraising and distraction before we all realized we were witnessing Jens Voigt's last call-up and his last day of racing. What a legend. What an honor to be present.

To read about the rest of this stage, please read:
Pro Challenge reports from the road Stage 7 - Denver, Final Stage
Alex Howes wins the final stage of the 2014 USA Pro Challenge

RESULTS

Stage 7 Results

First - Alex Howes (USA) of Team Garmin-Sharp
Second - Kiel Reijnen (USA) of UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
Third - Michael Schar (SUI) of BMC Racing Team

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 Smashburger Leader Jersey – Tejay van Garderen (USA) of BMC Racing Team
Green Lexus Sprint Jersey – Kiel Reijnen (USA) of UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
Polka-dot Sierra Nevada King of the Mountains Jersey – Ben Jacques-Maynes (USA) of Jamis-Hagens Berman p/b Sutter Home
Blue Colorado State University Best Young Rider Jersey – Clement Chevrier (FRA) of Bissell Development Team
Orange FirstBank Most Aggressive Rider Jersey – Jens Voigt (GER) of Trek Factory Racing
Dark Blue Colorado National Guard Best Colorado Rider Jersey – Tejay van Garderen (USA) of BMC Racing Team

Final General Classification (via Steephill.TV)
USA  1  VAN GARDEREN, Tejay (BMC RACING)                           20:05:42
USA  2  DANIELSON, Thomas (GARMIN SHARP)                            +  1:32
MDA  3  TVETCOV, Serghei (JELLY BELLY P/B MAXXIS)                   +  1:45
POL  4  MAJKA, Rafal (TINKOFF-SAXO)                                 +  1:49

PHOTOS FROM THE DAY - in Boulder

The town - Boulder

I like the name Tour de Colorado ...

The landmark bike shop - Vecchio's Bicicleteria on Pearl Street.

Race Owner Richard Schaden (left) - rode his bike around the stage start in Boulder.

This is what you call a fresh start to the day; a blank sign-in sheet.

A breakfast of Champions for friends Dave Towle and Neal Rogers (even though Neal only lives four blocks away). I am telling you the VIP tents have good food (event though I didn't get any).

Kimberly and Mauri drive the VIP cars - friendly and good drivers.

So Boulder!

I like the Hincapie DT team car stickers

Patio breakfasts on Pearl St. in Boulder

Meet Jim Smith - Traveling Course Marshal Captain. Jim and his wife do all the races. He appreciates that the organizers pay for his transportation from Kansas and his nice hotels, he said he would have done it for free. The day before I had seen Jim in the rain of Vail Pass. He said it was "very cold," I was happy to see him again in the sunshine of Boulder.

Brrom Wagon Sarah and Eric Marcotte cruising past each other on a bright sunny morning in Boulder

First he walked, then he cycled past - would you recognize this unsuspecting man as a national champion? He is - Eric Marcotte listening to tunes and cruising down the street in Boulder.