Professional Cycling returned to Colorado on the wheels of Patrick Gretsch, the HTC High-Road rider who captured the prologue time trial. Gretsch covered the 5.1-mile course in 8 minutes and 27 seconds. Christian Vande Velde (USA) Team Garmin-Cervelo was second, followed by Brent Bookwalter (USA) of BMC Racing Team.
Gretsch became the first pro cyclist to pull on a yellow jersey as the leader of a major race in Colorado Springs, which had not hosted a major pro road race in 25 years.