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23 August 2013

USA Pro Challenge 2013 - Results Stage 5

Vail Colorado - Race Results

Today there was an event in Vail Village which continued on the road all the way to Vail Pass. Fans packed the attractive resort town of Vail, Colorado this morning as a steady line of cyclists departed to make their way to the narrow time trial finish area on Vail Pass. We had been there before, in 2011 the USA Pro Challenge featured an ITT on Vail Pass. It was so popular, and so decisive in the overall classification, that the race organizers brought the short powerful 10-mile route back for 2013.

All photos below -  © By Karen at Pedal Dancer®
 
Good morning Vail, Colorado!











Tejay van Garderen - the rider so disappointed in his loss in 2011 - emerged triumphant. He looked strong today, riding solidly past the fans waiting on Vail Pass. I rode from Vail Village to the pass with my friend AG. We met more friends on top and I saw a few old friends as well - so nice to be together again. The entire experience of making our way to the pass was really fun. I can't recommend days like this enough.

After walking around downtown Vail as the town sprung to life, we wondered if it was possible to cram one more piece of artwork sculpture or water ountain into the tiny town blocks. We grabbed a last minute breakfast burrito and then prepped ourselves for the ride up the pass. Startlists in hand; once we filled our backpacks with water, flip-flops, cowbells, rain jacket, cameras, we were ready to ride.

We hadn't made it far before we came upon the team buses and bicycle equipment tents. First we signed up with Nissan and snagged our favorite tshirt of the tour this year - the white Nissan KOM tshirt. I also found my way to the Rapha espresso RV because they have the best mens tshirt of the year. Probably the only time 20 bucks will buy you a garment with the name Rapha on it with a very classic Colorado design.

Up the pass we rode before settling into our spot alongside the road where we could see each rider approach from a good distance away. My friend Chris had been smart to bring binoculars and she called out the team kit of each rider well in advance as we all matched the team to the rider and began cheering his name loudly.

We were right there to look into the rider's face, to see the effort or ease in their body. We could judge their speed as they approached and knew who had passed who. We had a good sense of who rode their best today. Zach referred to Tour Tracker to keep us updated in current standings as we stood roadside at about 9400 ft elevation for almost 3 hours today.

Although Andrew Talansky held the lead for much of the day, Tejay won by 4 seconds in a time of 25.01, 46 seconds faster than the best time in 2011.

Video: Tom Danielson Post-Stage 5 (01:30 English) Bicycling
Video: Tejay Van Garderen Post-Stage 5 (01:50 English) Bicycling
View Rory Sutherland's SRM data in TrainingPeaks

Stage 5 Results:

1. Tejay van Garderen (USA) of BMC Racing Team
2. Andrew Talansky (USA) of Team Garmin-Sharp
3. Tom Danielson (USA) of Team Garmin-Sharp
Complete Stage 5 Results

Tejay van Garderen approached rapidly up the pass. He looked very strong as he passed, so too did Tommy D, who took 2nd for the stage. Photo © By Karen at Pedal Dancer®
Podium finish Vail ITT 2013 USA Pro Challenge - Tejay van Garderen, Andrew Talansky, Tom Danielson. Photo © By Karen at Pedal Dancer®
Tejay very happy. Photo © By Karen at Pedal Dancer®
GC Standings:

General Classification after Stage 5
USA  1  VAN GARDEREN, Tejay (BMC RACING)        16:10:00
SUI  2  FRANK, Mathias (BMC RACING)             + 1:30
USA  3  DANIELSON, Thomas (GARMIN SHARP)        + 1:42
COL  4  ACEVEDO COLLE, Javier Alexis (JAMIS)    + 2:10
AUS  5  MORTON, Lachlan David (GARMIN SHARP)    + 2:34
CRC  6  OBANDO BRENES, Gregory (CHAMPION SYSTEM)+ 3:25
USA  7  CRADDOCK, Lawson (BONTRAGER CYCLING)    + 3:42
NZL  8  BENNETT, George (RADIOSHACK LEOPARD)    + 3:58
AUS  9  SUTHERLAND, Rory (SAXO-TINKOFF)         + 4:11
IRL  10 DEIGNAN, Philip (UNITEDHEALTHCARE)      + 4:12

Classification Jerseys after Stage 5:

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
Blue (young) - Lachlan David Morton (AUS) of Team Garmin-Sharp
Orange (aggressive) - Mick Rogers (AUS) of Team Saxo-Tinkoff

Photos from the Day:

With friends to day on the pass - old and new.
On Vail Pass today with friends Sue, Chris, Zach and AG. With Sue's husband Scott hanging out of the car following Peter Sagan up the hill. Photo © By Karen at Pedal Dancer®
Watching the pros race by ...

For many more photos by Karen at Pedal Dancer from the time trial yesterday, please go to :  Photos of the Vail Individual Time Trial 2013

Photo © By Karen at Pedal Dancer®
The broom truck, oooawwhh, signals the show is over for the day. Time to descend super fast into Vail and rush to the Podium Presentation. 
Photo © By Karen at Pedal Dancer®
Tomorrow's Stage 6, the penultimate stage of the 2013 USA Pro Challenge, August 24, 2013

Read the Pedal Dancer® FAN GUIDE to Stage 6 from Loveland to Fort Collins.
Stage 6 Start: USA Pro Challenge in Loveland
Stage 6 Finish: USA Pro Challenge in Fort Collins

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

Word of the Day: Penultimate

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