From the USA Pro Cycling Challenge
At more than 130 miles, Stage 2, the epic Queen Stage of the inaugural USA Pro Cycling Challenge, tested the riders strength and endurance as they traveled to unheard of heights on the route from Gunnison, Colo., to Aspen.  The route, which included three KOMs and two sprint competitions, provided majestic views and tough competition that led to George Hincapie (USA) of BMC Racing Team taking the stage in front of roaring crowds in Aspen.  Tejay Van Garderen (USA) of HTC-Highroad took the overall lead heading into tomorrow’s individual time trial in Vail.

 

"I thought I was in pretty good shape coming into this race,” said Hincapie. “I saw a couple guys going and decided to bridge up to them.  Once I saw Tejay (Van Garderen) come across I knew he and Tom Danielson were going to go for the GC and knew I had a great shot to win the stage.  It was nice to be able to finish in such a beautiful city with my hands in the air.”

 

In a stage characterized by climbing, the riders were faced with a steady uphill battle from the gate that included immediate attacks.  Only 9.6 miles into the stage, the first Smashburger Sprint Line was taken by “Fast” Freddy Rodriguez (USA) of Team Exergy.

 

At about 12 miles into the stage, just before the dirt section of the Cottonwood Pass climb, a group of 12 riders were involved in a crash that took Daniele Callegarin (ITA) of Team Type 1, Andrew Randall (CAN) of Team Spidertech Powered by C10 and Sergio Hernandez (USA) of Jelly Belly Cycling Team out of the race.

 

Fairly early on in the race, a breakaway of six riders formed that included Jeremy Powers (USA) of Jelly Belly Cycling Team Presented by Kenda, Danny Pate (USA) of HTC-Highroad, Rafael Montiel (COL) of Gobernacion de Antioquia, Walter Pedraza (COL) of EPM-UNE, Andre Steensen (DEN) of Saxo Bank SunGard and Sander Oostlander (NED) of Skil-Shimano.

 

And on a beautiful, scenic ascent leading to the top of the first big KOM competition of the day – Cottonwood Pass, which included a dirt road climb that topped out at 12,126 ft. (the highest point of the race and higher than any point reached in the 2011 Tour de France) and a paved descent, Alejandro Ramirez (COL) of Gobernacion de Antioquia joined the group as well.  As the riders headed up the mountain, they adjusted on the road to find the smoothest route in the dirt while navigating the constant switchbacks on the way to the top.  Filled with amateur riders, local residents and die-hard cycling fans, the route was alive with excitement as Pedraza claimed the KOM.

 

Battling a bit of rain that would continue intermittently through the finish in Aspen, the riders started on the descent down Cottonwood Pass.  On the descent, Carlos Alzate (COL) of Team Exergy went up to bridge the gap between the break, but never caught up and eventually returned to the group.

 

In nearly the last flat portion of the stage, the second Smashburger Sprint Line in Buena Vista was taken by Oostlander.  From there, the riders continued on a constant climb to the second big KOM of the day – Independence Pass, a fairly wide open road that topped out at 12,095 ft. and includes a narrow and twisty descent.

 

As the gap began to close, Steenson dug deep and pulled out in front, gaining a small lead on the breakaway.  On the ascent up Independence Pass the breakaway was slowly pulled back in, beginning with Oostlander and finally Steensen as well.

 

In the final moments leading to the top of the last big climb of the day, attacks were launched by several different teams in an attempt to claim the KOM.  In an extreme display of enthusiasm by the fans, the last kilometers leading to the top were filled with fans waiting to catch a glimpse of their favorite professional riders.  Rafael Infantino (COL) of UNE-EPM pulled away to form a small lead on the group and take the KOM, but he was quickly followed and caught by a chase group of Van Garderen, Levi Leipheimer (USA) of Team RadioShack and Christian Vande Velde  (USA) of Garmin-Cervelo on the descent, where they reached speeds of more than 50 mph.  As they riders continued down the mountain, the front groups were joined together to form a bunch of approximately 20 that would battle it out to the finish.

 

After winding around the beautiful, quaint town of Aspen the riders headed toward the finish line on Main St. in a sprint finish that saw Hincapie take the stage.

 

“The level of racing we have been seeing in the USA Pro Cycling Challenge over the past couple of days is phenomenal,” said Shawn Hunter, co-chairman and CEO of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge.  “The riders are getting a chance to really showcase their skills and the fans throughout the State of Colorado have been incredibly supportive and enthusiastic in response.  The sheer number of fans camped out at the top of today’s climbs was really impressive.”

 

Van Garderen claimed the Quiznos Leader Jersey and held onto the Sheets Best Young Rider’s Jersey.  Leipheimer kept the Smashburger Sprint Jersey.  The Exergy Most Aggressive Jersey went to Andre Steensen (DEN) of Saxo Bank SunGard.  And the Nissan King of the Mountain (KOM) Jersey was awarded to Walter Pedraza Morales (COL) of UNE-EPM.