10 UCI WorldTour Teams to compete in California

Amgen Tour of California - teams announced today

Fantastic news out of California today, the Amgen Tour of California stage race appears stronger than ever in its 11th year, as a very impressive line up of teams was announced to compete in California this May. Here is my strong tip for the day - wherever you are in mid-May, make sure it is in California. You will see some of the greatest pro riders up close with unprecedented access (and as always - great California weather).

Let's get straight to naming names: 2015 winner Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) and runner-up Julian Alaphilippe (Etixx-Quick-Step) will return in 2016. Great Britian’s Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data), who won four stages last year is a huge crowd favorite and will take on Norwegian Alexander Kristoff (Katusha), who will be bring his strong sprinting ability to what might be the best sprint field to ever gather.

2012 Tour de France champion and 2014 Amgen Tour of California winner Bradley Wiggins will be back with his continental cycling team (Wiggins). Australian brothers Lachlan and Angus Morton will be back with their colorful Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis cycling team. American Peter Stetina (Trek-Segafredo) is looking forward to competing in front of hometown fans in Northern California. While Australian Rohan Dennis (BMC), a strong contender for the time trial in Folsom, could also be on a step of the final overall podium in Sacramento. Crowd favorite American Taylor Phinney (BMC) will be back in 2016.

Sprinting begins on Stage 1 in San Diego, Sunday, May 15th! Make your tourist plans now.

Great atmosphere at the race. Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

Amgen Tour of California May 15-22, 2016

Now organized by AEG and ASO, the Amgen Tour of California stage race keeps getting better. I am especially excited about the teams of Dimension Data (formerly Mtn-Qhukbeka), Giant-Alpecin, Etixx-Quick-Step, Sky, and LottoNL returning to the race again this year. I am also excited to see first time teams Direct Énergie and Katusha.

I look forward to hearing the exact rider roster announcements (startlist) in May. For certain, we will have the opportunity to watch pro riders we would otherwise have to plan a 2.5 week vacation, spend thousands of dollars and travel to Europe to see compete. The 2016 schedule should make it easy for fans to see a grouping of two or more stages by picking your area: San Diego County, Pasadena/Santa Clarita, Thousand Oaks/Santa Barbara, Monterey/Santa Rosa, Tahoe/Folsom/Sacramento.

I totally agree with Peter Sagan who said, "The Amgen Tour of California is one of my favorite races of the season."

Julian Alaphilippe arrives in Mt Baldy in 2015.  Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

Take the time to visit the team websites and check out their sponsors and the kind of gear they use. Team sponsors, great race organization and the ongoing title sponsorship by Amgen make this race a continuing success.

Official Tour of California yellow jersey 2016

Men’s teams - 18 teams
Each team will bring a roster of 8 riders each.

UCI WorldTour
BMC Racing Team (USA) - BMC bikes
Cannondale Pro Cycling Team (USA) - Cannondale bikes
Dimension Data (South Africa) - Cervélo bikes
Etixx – Quick-Step (Belgium) - Specialized bikes
Giant – Alpecin (Germany) - Giant bikes
Katusha (Russia) - Canyon bikes
LottoNL – Jumbo (Netherlands) - Bianche bikes
Sky (Great Britain) - Pinarello bikes
Tinkoff (Russia) - Specialized bikes
Trek – Segafredo (USA) - Trek bikes

UCI Professional Continental
Direct Énergie (France) - BH bikes
Novo Nordisk (USA) - Colnago bikes
UnitedHealthcare (USA) - Wilier bikes

UCI Continental
Axeon Hagens Berman (USA) - Specialized bikes
Holowesko – Citadel Racing Team (USA) - felt bikes
Jelly Belly – Maxxis (USA) - Argon bikes
Rally Cycling (USA) - Diamond Back bikes
Wiggins (Great Britain) - Pinarello bikes (Wikipedia)

Peter Sagan with Evelyn Stevens at the post time trial press conference in 2015.  Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

Rally and United Healthcare will be bringing both a men's and women's team.  Their team buses and mechanic's trailers should be teaming with activity.

Women's team jersey 2016 Amgen Tour of California.

Women’s teams - 18 teams

BePink (Italy) 
Boels-Dolmans (Netherlands)
Canyon – SRAM Racing (Germany)
Colavita – Bianchi (USA)
Cylance (USA)
Drops (Great Britain)
Hagens Berman – Supermint (USA)
Hitec Products (Norway)
Podium Ambition (Great Britain)
Rabo – Liv (Netherlands)
Rally (USA)
Tibco – SVB (USA)
Twenty16 – Ridebiker (USA)
UnitedHealthcare (USA)
USA Cycling (USA)
Visit Dallas DNA (USA)
Weber Shimano Ladies Power (Argentina)
Wiggle High5 (Great Britain)

Beautiful Santa Barbara, California. I took this photo last year at the race while waiting for the stage start in Santa Barbara. Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

2016 posts by Pedal Dancer®:

• PART I: Tourist ideas for stages 1 through 4 in southern California: Tour of California Host City activities: Stages1-4
• PART II: Tourist ideas for stages 4 through 8 in northern California: Tour of California Host City activities: Stages 4-8
• 10 UCI WorldTour Teams to compete in California 
• Stage Route and Maps Tour of California 2016
• How to watch the Tour of California Live in 2016 

For more information about the 2016 Amgen Tour of California, with race dates, stage maps and start and finish times, please visit the Pedal Dancer® guide page at: TOUR OF CALIFORNIA 2016. 

Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish before the final stage start in Westlake Village in 2014. Photo by Karen Rakestraw for Pedal Dancer®

Looking back at 2015 ATOC race coverage by Pedal Dancer®

More Pedal Dancer® race coverage 2016:

• The order of jerseys
• Taking photos at the race, and being Media 
• Top 22 tips to see the Amgen Tour of California
• How to watch the Tour of California Live in 2016
• Team jerseys and team bikes at the Tour of California
• Bikes, Equipment and Clothing at the Tour of California
• Classification jerseys for the 2016 Tour of California
• 10 UCI WorldTour Teams to compete in California
• Stage Route and Maps Tour of California 2016
• Profile Maps for the Tour of California 2016
• Tour of California Host City activities: Stages 1-4 PART I
• Tour of California Host City activities: Stages 4-8 PART II
• Tour of California Spectator Guide Page

Coming soon: Startlist and bib number Amgen Tour of California 2016;  National and World Championship jerseys at the Tour of California; and stories from the race.

Rider Rosters for the 2014 USA Pro Challenge

Teams and full startlist of riders announced today

Have you been wondering who will be racing in Colorado August 18-24th? Now we know. Of course Jens Voigt will be coming, he has announced that the USA Pro Challenge will celebrate his retirement from the sport after decades of racing. Tejay Van Garderen will be back, so too will Lachlan Morton, Matt Cooke, Tom Danielson, and Janier Acevedo - all names you will recognize as past stage or jersey winners at this race.

If you watched the 2014 Tour de France you will recognize Rafal Majka (polka-dot jersery winner), Michael Rogers, Leopold König, Alex Howes, and Franck Schleck. Michael Markov and Matthew Lloyd, who both won stages in the Giro d’Italia, will be in Colorado as well. Other crowd favorites include two-time Giro d’Italia winner Ivan Basso.

Maple Magnate and big personality Ted King will be back along with well-known American UCI ProTeam riders Peter Stetina, Brent Bookwalter, Phil Gaimon, and Gavin Mannion (a stagiaire with Garmin-Sharp). They will join American UCI Professional Continental riders Danny Summerhill, Jeff Louder, Lucas Euser and Kiel Reijnene.

Current American National Champion Eric Marcott will be racing, along with former American National Champions fast Freddy Rodriguez, Ben King and Matthew Busche. The current junior world champion, Slovakian Matej Mohorič, will be racing on team Cannondale Pro Cycling.

American UCI Continental riders I look forward to supporting and learning more about include Tom Zirbel, Ben Jacques-Maynes, Danny Eaton, Tanner Putt, Gregory Daniel, Joey Rosskopf, Oscar Clark, Robin Carpenter, Ty Magner, Carson Miller, Ian Crane, Rob Squire, Ian Burnett, Kirk Carlsen, Jacob Rathe, Steve Fisher, Alex Candelario, Bjorn Selander, Carter Jones, Jesse Anthony, Scott Zwizanski, Julian Kyer and Travis McCabe.

Drapac Professional Cycling is an entirely Australian team, Rapha Condor JLT an entirely British team, and Optum Presented by Kelly Benefit Strategies an entirely North American team. Hincapie Sportswear Development Team and Team SmartStop will be making a first appearance.

Team Garmin-Sharp in front of the crowd at the Team Presentation in Snowmass Village in 2013.
Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

UCI ProTeams

BMC Racing Team (USA) @BMCProTeam
Ben Hermans (BEL)
Brent Bookwalter (USA)
Martin Kohler (SUI)
Michael Schar (SUI)
Peter Stetina (USA)
Rick Zabel (GER)
Tejay Van Garderen (USA)
Yannick Eijssen (BEL)

Cannondale Pro Cycling (ITA) @cannondalePro
Alan Marangoni (ITA)
Cristiano Salerno (ITA)
Davide Formolo (ITA)
Edward King (USA)
Elia Viviani (ITA)
Ivan Basso (ITA)
Matej Mohorič (SLO)
Michel Koch (GER)

Team Garmin-Sharp (USA) @Ride_Argyle
Alex Howes (USA)
Ben King (USA)
Gavin Mannion (stagiaire) (USA)
Janier Acevedo (COL)
Lachlan Morton (AUS)
Phil Gaimon (USA)
Thomas Dekker (NED)
Tom Danielson (USA)

Tinkoff-Saxo (RUS) @tinkoff_saxo
Bruno Pires (POR)
Edward Beltran (COL)
Jesper Hansen (DEN)
Michael Mørkøv (RUS)
Michael Rogers (AUS)
Pawel Poljanski (POL)
Rafał Majka (POL)
Rasmus Guldhammer (NOR) (stagiaire)

Trek Factory Racing (USA) @TrekFactory
Calvin Watson (AUS)
Fränk Schleck (LUX)
Hayden Roulston (NZL)
Jens Voigt (GER)
Markel Irizar (ESP)
Matthew Busche (USA)
Riccardo Zoidl (AUT)
Robert Kiserlovski (CRO)

UCI Professional Continental Teams

Drapac Professional Cycling (AUS) @DrapacCycling
Adam Phelan (AUS)
Bernard Sulzberger (AUS)
Darren Lapthorne (AUS)
Jai Crawford (AUS)
Jonathan Cantwell (AUS)
Lachlan Norris (AUS)
Robbie Hucker (AUS)
Wesley Sulzberger (AUS)

Team NetApp – Endura (GER) @NetAppEndura
Bartosz Huzarski (POL)
David De La Cruz (ESP)
Gregor Muhlberger (AUT)
Jose Mendes (POR)
Leopold König (CZE)
Michael Schwarzmann (GER)
Patrick Konrad (AUT)
Tiago Machado (POR)

Team Novo Nordisk (USA) @TeamNovoNordisk
Andrea Peron (ITA)
Charles Planet (FRA)
David Lozano (ESP)
Javier Megias (ESP)
Joonas Henttala (FIN)
Kevin De Mesmaeker (BEL)
Martijn Verschoor (NED)
Scott Ambrose (NZL)

UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team (USA) @UHCprocycling
Ben Day (AUS)
Danny Summerhill (USA)
Isaac Bolivar Hernandez (COL)
Jeff Louder (USA)
Jonny Clarke (AUS)
Kiel Reijnen (USA)
Lucas Euser (USA)
Marc De Maar (CAR)

UCI Continental Teams

Bissell Development Team (USA) @BissellDT
Chris Putt (USA)
Daniel Eaton (USA)
Gregory Daniel (USA)
James Oram (NZL)
Keegan Swirbul (USA)
Nathan Van Hooydonck (BEL)
Nicholai Brøchner (DEN)
Tanner Putt (USA)

Hincapie Sportswear Development Team (USA) @HincapieDevo
Chris Butler (USA)
Dion Smith (NZL)
Joe Lewis (AUS)
Joey Rosskopf (USA)
Oscar Clark (USA)
Robin Carpenter (USA)
Toms Skujiņš (LAT)
Ty Magner (USA)

Jamis-Hagens Berman p/b Sutter Home (USA) @TeamJamisHB
Ben Jacques-Maynes (USA)
Carson Miller (USA)
Daniel Jaramillo (COL)
Gregory Brenes (CRC)
Ian Crane (USA)
Luis Amaran (CUB)
Matt Cooke (USA)
Rob Squire (USA)

Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis (USA) @JellyBellyTeam
Freddie Rodriguez (USA)
Ian Burnett (USA)
Jacob Rathe (USA)
Kirk Carlsen (USA)
Luis Davila (MEX)
Matthew Lloyd (AUS)
Serghei Tvetcov (ROM)
Steve Fisher (USA)

Optum Presented by Kelly Benefit Strategies (USA) @OPTUMpbKBS
Alex Candelario (USA)
Bjorn Selander (USA)
Carter Jones (USA)
Jesse Anthony (USA)
Ryan Anderson (CAN)
Scott Zwizanski (USA)
Thomas Zirbel (USA)
William Routley (CAN)

Rapha Condor JLT (GBR) @raphacondorjlt
Daniel Whitehouse (GBR)
Elliott Porter (GBR)
Graham Briggs (GBR)
Hugh Carthy(GBR)
Kristian House (GBR)
Michael Cuming (GBR)
Richard Handley (GBR)
Tom Moses (GBR)

Team SmartStop (USA) @TeamSmartStop
Eric Marcotte (USA)
Flavio De Luna (MEX)
Julian Kyer (USA)
Jure Kocjan (SLO)
Michael Torckler (NZL)
Rob Britton (CAN)
Travis McCabe (USA)
Zach Bell (CAN)

Tejay van Garderen will defend his 2013 race win

“I’m really looking forward to defending my race title in Colorado this year,” said van Garderen, an Aspen, Colo., resident. “Because it starts in my hometown, it’s different and more relaxed. To race in front of my family and friends is always special. We are bringing a really motivated team and with a summit finish this year, it promises to be another hard race.”

Race Organizers invite fans to a free Team Presentation, Saturday, 6:15pm in lower Snowmass Village

On Saturday, Aug. 16, the teams will be introduced to fans at the opening ceremonies and official team presentation, taking place at Base Village Plaza in Snowmass. Celebrity hosts Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen will introduce the teams and riders, giving people a chance to check out the best of the best in cycling before the start of the race. The presentation is free and open to the public, with parking available in the lower lots and parking garage at Snowmass Village. You may also take the Gondola from the upper village (more parking and restaurants) to the lower village for free.

Related posts by Pedal Dancer: Word of the Day: Stagiaire and Words of the Day: Professional Cycling Teams (Definitions of World Tour, UCI ProTeam, UCI Professional Continental Team, UCI Continental Team).

More information about the race at the Pedal Dancer Guide Page: USA PRO CHALLENGE AT THE RACE

Writing - where creativity and passion merge

Or Cycling - where hard work and passion merge

I wasn't quite sure which title applied best to the topic in my mind today, but I wanted to discuss cycling journalism. Mostly because I read an honest to the point post by Twisted Spoke (love Twisted Spoke!) titled Reaction to Velocast opinion piece on cycling journalism, a response to VeloCast's Stop The Press piece on - you guessed it - cycling journalism.

Now I have my opinions on this topic as well. My experience stemming from years of writing and photographing cycling. Would I call myself a journalist - no. I would call myself a storyteller, who aims to educate or impassion my fellow cyclists or fans. And that is my point - what we all share is a passion for the sport of cycling. That is why we are here doing what we do. It certainly is not for the money or the fame.

I greatly value the journalists, the bloggers, the storytellers, the tweeters, the facebookers, the photographers, the promoters, the organizers, the sponsors, the racers, the riders, our local bicycling associations, and USA Cycling (and maybe UCI in the future). This is a community effort from individuals trying to make the community of cycling run smoothly, prosper and grow.

My piece of that big picture is to contribute as a writer. To be a writer is almost an uncontrollable creative need to put life's experiences to word. Any good writer will tell you they get lost in the words, time disappears, we reread our words (to check for typos) hardly remembering that space existing between thought and hard copy. Did I write that? Words flow for a writer, and nothing is better than when we get to write about that which interests us.

I can write about anything. That I know. My job for years had me writing about forklifts and backhoes, about demographics of a southern California town, or about party rentals. I can also write up a multidisciplinary plan of action to insure a medical facility retains Medicare funding. But for me, writing about cycling must come from a place of joy because it is a hobby. A hobby I am truly passionate about.

Even when I dislike what I see, a positive spirit shines through when I write about cycling. Thank God because sometimes I truly do not like what I see. We don't get paid well, okay, I don't get paid at all, and yet I find myself sometimes playing along with the game, following those weird rules required of cycling journalists, when I am not a reporter. Why do I do this?

Who are we writing for: The readers, the advertisers, ourselves or the real story? 

Did you know that to be accepted as media for a big tour in the USA, the PR people read through your stuff to make sure you are writing about their race in a favorable light? Did you know that teams will grant access to a rider if you say and do good things for them? If not, they have their own media people - they don't need you, they can spin it their way. Did you know that riders hold grudges and have favorites? You probably did, but this means we are somewhat required to write propaganda if we want access. Is access worth having to display a warped reality?

If you think the old days of journalist intimidation are over and done with, you are wrong.

Add to this old tradition, the new tradition of readers lambasting journalists and bloggers in comments sections following every piece and you will understand why Velo News, and others, have removed their comments sections. It was serving no good and fracturing this "cycling community" we are trying so hard to recreate. What happened to the days when we could sit through a college lecture and take from it what we could, knowing it would broaden our thoughts later? What happened to good conversation that left us richer and having learned something rather than just proving our own point in anger?

Writings should be taken into the mind, mulled over, learned from or discarded according to our own developing beliefs. Not everything needs a knee-jerk public "like" or dislike on display. Meeting someone's writings is like meeting a person, some you like, some you don't - just move on. But I say, always try to leave a person feeling better about themselves, even if you disagree with their reasoning.

If we do not allow intelligent polite freedom of speech, the cycling Media cannot (or will be too afraid to) break out of the era of Armstrong and the sports continued medial control.

I recently witnessed a situation with a local writer who regularly spends his time developing a community site to inform cyclists of safety issues, bike advocacy, training and events. He takes his time to post local race results and gather all the local photographer sites together in one place so that local racers can feel special. Those same cyclists he tried to help, recently attacked him mercilessly online after a brief opinion piece he dared to write to start a conversation. Well that was one bad conversation where I too was attacked.

Do you think I want to volunteer my time to support local weekend racers with such behavior - no, I don't. Those cyclists stripped the passion right out of me. I am not a journalist who gets paid to write proper approved content to maintain advertisement revenue. Today I am thinking I was brilliant to have basically turned off my comments section (now with full moderation only) on this blog months ago, welcoming comments through facebook instead; a place where a face and name is behind every written comment.

It was curious timing this week when Twisted Spoke wrote his post on cycling journalism, because I have had such strong feelings recently that I want to sell a product because "people can vote with their money." I wouldn't have to worry about being popular and cool, or in the norm by pleasing every opinion, or waste time populating the pages of Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube to promote my own persona. I could just produce quality and sell, anonymously. Sounds wonderful, and peaceful.

I remain more than grateful for my loyal readers and for those who come looking for, and find, answers to their questions on my site. Welcome and please come back again, I'll be writing about topics unapproved and uncensored. And unpaid. With little access.


Here I am recently interviewing Lachlan David Morton (team Garmin). He is offering me body language indicating I am a pain in the neck, that is because I ask the hard-hitting journalistic questions - this one happened to be, "Which was your favorite town in Colorado?" His answer - Aspen! "That's not usually the kind of place a bike racer finds himself hanging around," Lachlan explained. Oh I "Liked" his answer.

Now I hope no one writes a nasty comment about Aspen (e.g., "I hate Aspen!"), because I really stuck my neck out to bring you the true story of this interview.

Photo taken in Denver, Colorado, by Ryan Wallace, an unpaid photographic journalist for Pedal Dancer®, with strong opinions of his own.

More reading from today: Too Many Local Journalists Are Missing The Big Story: Revenue, or video: The Funding of Journalism: Practice, research and future.

USA Pro Challenge 2013 - Results Stage 6

Loveland to Fort Collins Colorado - Race Results

Stage 6 Results:

1. Peter Sagan (SVK) of Cannondale Pro Cycling
2. Luka Mezgec (SLO) of Team Argos-Shimano
3. Greg Van Avermaet (BEL) of BMC Racing Team

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 6:
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) - Simon Geschke (GER) of Team Argos-Shimano

All Photos © By Karen Rakestraw at Pedal Dancer®  click any image to enlarge

Photos from the Day in Fort Collins:

Various team staff members watching the final kilometers and waiting to tend to the riders once they cross the finish line.

Major Sprint .... please see the series of photos I shot of the sprint here: Peter Sagan won again!

Matt Cooke

Ben King

Chris Froome

Colombia!

One of my very favorite cycling journalists - Joe Lindsey of Bicycling

The temporary unhealthy lifestyle of the photojournalist. (These are Getty Photographers)

Please also view: Ryan Wallace Photography of the USA Pro Challenge for more excellent shots from the Start, Glen Haven, and the finish. 

Tomorrow's Stage 7 of the 2013 USA Pro Challenge, August 25, 2013

Read the Pedal Dancer® FAN GUIDE to Stage 7 circuit race in Denver, Colorado. Maps, time schedule, special events : Stage 7 Start & Finish: USA Pro Challenge in Denver.

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

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

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