PC Stages 1 & 2

Those were two fantastic days of racing.  I feel this sums it up:

And... boom goes the dynamite

Yeah, this race has already been blown up.  Not in the way that one person's wrapped up the W, but a lot of people have crossed themselves off.

Stage 1

First of all, let me just say this race shows off our majestic state wonderfully.  The scenery around Aspen made me want to go there.  And I live in the same state to begin with.  Think about the people that live crappy places.  Anyways, this stage ended up going down the way everyone expected, but it didn't look like it for a while.  After joining a failed breakaway attempt a little more than 5km from the finish, Sagan looked like that might have been his go at it, and it would end up between Carter Jones and George Bennett, the 2 remaining out in front.  But the peloton caught on with 1 km to go, Sagan sprinted right around Greg Van Avermaet, and locked up another victory.  GVA adds another 2nd place finish to his August, with 3 runner-ups in the recent T-o-Utah.

Sagan doing his thing for the crowd

I took from this stage a couple things: 1) Sagan came ready to rumble.  Many of the Europeans showed up last week, and are using this as a training ground for the late-season races.  Peter came 3 weeks early, powered over the climbs, and claimed a rare leader's jersey for himself.  2) Andy Schleck seems to be continuing to improve form, being one of only 17 riders who ended up on the same time.  3) Pretty much all the players were right there, including Tejay and Tommy D, with Joe Dombro, defending champ CVV and Dave Zabriskie just 5 s back and 4) Even though it's cool the TdF winner shows up, again they're not showing up with their A game.  Froome back almost 5 minutes after 1 stage.

Stage 2

Now things get really real.  The early ascent over Independence Pass was really just because you have to do Independence Pass.  It was too early to mean anything.  Too bad a summit finish there would be impossible to pull off, logistically.  After the descent and rollout toward Hoosier Pass, a 15-man break got clear of the the peloton.  The break contained 4 people who were on the same time after stage one, including Andy and the young American Lawson Craddock, one of my new favorites.  On the bottom slopes of Hoosier, Lachlan Morton took off, and was eventually caught on the descent by Craddock and the veteran Matthias Frank.

After a sweep through Breck, a nasty little gut punch of Moonstone road up to Boreas Pass Road caused the real damage on the day.  Frank took off, followed closely by Morton, and dropping Craddock.  And Peter Sagan proved he cares not for your labels.  The "sprinter" led the "peloton" over "the" top, just 40 seconds behind with a few km to go.  The man is impressive.  And, well, he came to play.  Frank kept his lead to the finish line, but needed 5s to go in to yellow jersey.  Sadly for him, he chose to celebrate instead of power through the finish, and that may have cost him.  Morton goes in to yellow, 2 seconds over Frank.  Sagan and Tejay came in together between those leaders and Craddock, and now are tied at 3rd overall, +11 seconds.

Thanks, random dude, for bringing the Buffalo to the race!!

More takeaways?  Tejay is back in form, for sure.  I think he'll be pleased to be +11", with the "sprinter" ahead of him, and most of the week in sight.  And I think it's not impossible for Sagan to hang around and be high up in the GC.  The stage to BC and the TT will still tear him up, but he had the best climbing legs of the bunch up Moonstone, so who knows?  That's right, nobody knows.  If they did, this wouldn't be any fun.  Also, fan presence has been amazing.  All 3 summits looked packed on TV.  WTG, CO.

Biggest takeaway?  I managed not to look up ANYTHING between work and getting home and watching the stage on DVR.  It took a tremendous amount of self control.  One of my proudest moments.

Parting Thoughts: This: http://theairuphere.com/2013/08/19/having-some-fun-with-little-brother/

USAPCC!!

That's right, the USA Pro Challenge is here!  And I couldn't be more excited!  Except, perhaps, if they were to find a better name for the race.  But they dropped the "Cycling" this year, so at least it's USAPC instead of USAPCC.  For the remainder of my coverage, I will just be calling it the PC.  Which also helps towards my quota of using the term "PC", which is required of people who come from Boulder.
Also, I got a little too wordy again.  This preview got long.  Sorry bout that.
Note: All images from www.usaprocyclingchallenge.com.  Do you see how long that URL is?

The Stages
The PC has taken some notes this year on making the race more viewer friendly, while keeping it exciting, and enticing the world's best riders.  Stages 1, 2, and 6 include multiple passes on locations, giving fans a chance to both not move AND see more than 1.5 seconds of action.  Stage 4 includes the now-famous uphill finish to Beaver Creek (sadly the only finishing climb of this year's edition, which is the planner's 1 miss).  Stage 5 is the even-more-famous, and brutal, TT out of Vail.  And stages 3 and 7 should give the sprinters a chance to participate, including to one of the most packed towns in the 1st edition of the PC (and my 2nd home town), Steamboat Springs.  Note: Steamboat doesn't require residents to use "PC", but they do require a cowboy hat and participation in an extremely dangerous sport of your choosing.

Stage 1: A neat route, and one I'm glad they put in.  Only 66 miles, it goes 3 laps around Aspen, and manages to pack in over 7700 feet of climbing.  I could really see this one going a couple different ways, too.

Stage 1: Round and Round

It's definitely not a warmup stage, or the prologue of year one, but a lot of times the riders will just ride a little easier on the opening day.  The guys will be getting acclimated, too, and some of the Europeans are only just getting in for this.  I think some motivated attackers will make the break work this stage, but it'll be tight.

Stage 2: Just your average 126 miles and 12,250 feet of climbing here.  Hope they got warmed up the day before, because stage 2 takes the climb that will always be in the PC, and adds some new flava.

Stage 2: Today is the day we declare our Independence

After ascending the classic Independence Pass (which I did this year!  Piece of cake... or something), they'll roll for a while, come up through Fairplay and over Hoosier Pass, a first swing through Breck, then circle back by way of Boreas Pass and what the site says are 15% grades.  I've also driven (not biked) the descent down Boreas Pass road they'll be taking back in to Breckenridge, and that should be pretty epic to watch.  Not an uphill finish, but that short punch to Boreas right at the end should break apart the group (you know, if the Jensie isn't all alone out front anyways).

Stage 3: Not that anything is easy about Rabbit Ears Pass, but chances are the breakaway will really just be for show on stage 3 (check the calendar, if a rider has a birthday on the 8/21, they'll be in it).  This is a repeat of a stage in the inaugural PC, which came down to what was really a fantastic bunch sprint finish.

Stage 3: I wish I had a Rabbit in a hat with a bat

Steamboat likes to call themselves Bike Town, USA, and they lived up to the moniker 2 years ago by having an outstanding crowd there.  I believe they'll live up to it again

Stage 4: Surprising brutal.  That was my response when I read about this stage.  For some reason Steamboat to BC seems like a cruiser with an uphill finish in my head.  It ain't.  It's 11,627 feet of climbing in just under 103 miles.  Bachelor's Gulch claims grades of 18%.  The 2km in to BC has made for amazing finishes both of the previous 2 years.  This stage and the TT the next day will decide your winner in 2013, I believe.

Stage 4: Ouch ouch, baby

Stage 5: The TT that got professional cycling back to CO.  Roughly.  The all-uphill, 10 mile TT requires the riders to seriously push their limits, while trying to save some for the end.  2 years ago, this stage was decided by .58 seconds, with Levi Leipheimer (not present) beating out CVV (present), and Tejay (also present) throwing a little bit of a tantrum after losing his Yellow jersey.  Tejay is older, CVV is back, and the course will be packed.

Stage 6: Welcome Loveland and Ft Collins in to fold (because, well, Boulder decided to pass this year... don't get me started there).  Luckily, the race stays on the eastern slope for the weekend, ensuring massive crowds.  Another stage with over 10k in climbing, but the long downhill and subsequent rollout should create a sprint again in Ft Collins.  What this stage will definitely offer, though, is the last KOM points of the race.  If this is still up for grabs, the climb up to Devil's Gulch could pack some fireworks.  The sprint finish also depends on the sprinters still being able to roll after 6 days of pretty intense riding.

Stage 6: The Devil went down to Ft. Collins.  See what I did there?

Stage 7: Basically, a way to lure as many people as possible to watch the grand finale.  I think attendance at the final TT last year was a bit underwhelming, because as good of an opportunity as it is to see each rider and stretch out the viewing, it lacks the thrill of the whole pack going by.  Which they will do 8 times.  If you are around, you should get down there, support the race, support the future of cycling in CO.  And see them go by 8 times!  If you get there early, you can even find spots where you'll be able to see them twice per lap.  The race will be decided already, but the bragging rights are on the line.

A Quick Word On the Riders
I have to pick Tejay to win.  He was disappointed in his showing at the TdF, after winning in Cali, and showed some good legs in week 3 of the Tour.  Is Chris Froome beatable, you might ask?  I suspect he'll still be in victory tour mode, making the rounds to let cycling fans see him in action, rather than really going for the win.  The true threat from Sky will be Richie Porte, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Froome put in some good work for Richie.  Garmin-Sharp is sending a beast of a squad, and both CVV and Danielson looked great in Utah (Tommy D being the winner).
There's not much in the way of "pure" sprinters, because, well, they'd get toasted.  But Sagan is more than capable of hanging with the group on most of the climbs, and will be looking to add to his resume.  Fast Freddie Rodriguez, reigning US champ, is not as Fast as he used to be, but will certainly be looking for some wins.

Parting Thoughts: The Bontrager development team, which has been a joy to watch, needs a new sponsor.  If you have 500 grand laying around and want to sponsor a team, now's your chance!

Tour of Utah Wrap

I promise not to rag on ToU again.  Much.

ToU Wrap
The Tour of Utah finished with a couple great stages.  The 33 mile circuit of Salt Lake City on Friday got rave reviews from the peleton.  It created something very different for the racers and the fans, and was a success.  But the Queen stage the next day provided the first real fireworks of the tour.  Finishing up the very steep Little Cottonwood Canyon to Snowbird, the riders were ripped apart, huge time gaps were created, and at the end there were only 2 men left standing... or, uh, riding.  Chris Horner pulled the ultimate jerk move in cycling, and stayed on Tommy Ds wheel the entire way up the climb, never once pulled... And then predictably got the last laugh by accelerating in final hundred meters for the win.

Yeah, I'm just gonna stay back here, k?  Promise I won't pass later.

Joke was still on Chris, though, as the final stage proved too tough. Tommy D still had the legs, and even though a fairly lengthy descent to the finish followed the climb up Empire Pass (some 3500 feet of climbing in 12 miles), the split up the pass held.  Danielson got 3rd on the day, Horner finish 1'25" back, and big Tommy D took home the GC title.

What Does It All Mean?

As usual, the Americans came to play on their home course.  Though there wasn't much in the way of top name rivals, but Chris Horner looked well back from his injury (he can blame lack for losing it up the last pass of the tour) and Tom Danielson looked like the climbing man we know and love.  Also, Lucas Euser, a common sight in the American tours, looked very strong.  Tommy D and Lucas Euser are expected at the US Pro Challenge, Chris Horner was not on the original release, but if he's feeling good after Utah it wouldn't surprise me if they slide him in.

The Complaints

OK, ToU announcers, you just really need to stop comparing this Tour to a Grand Tour.  Yes, Cottonwood Canyon was wicked, and yes there was a section of road where you could see the fans... but just don't.  More than that, however, Jens Voigt blasted the race organizers and race judge on Twitter.  He was not impressed with the neutral support cars or rule enforcement.  One one stage a rider fell over the edge of the road, and actually got help from an opponent's car to get going again.  He finished the stage just slightly outside the time limit, and got cut.  The rule for the time limit makes allowances for "Unanticipated extreme circumstances" and there's an unwritten "showed a lot of heart" rule.  And in the end, the Chief Referee gets to override anything.  But, as it was for Ted King at TdF, no such luck.  Bummer man, show some heart.

USAPCC REVIEW IS COMING SOON

Parting Thoughts: Anna Kendrick is just cool.  I want her back to judge on SYTYCD.

ToU and Pro Challenge, too

Tour of Utah Update
As much as I try to respect the ToU as another great US-based pro race, it's still little bro to Tour of Cali and the Pro Challenge.  Besides the Americans, lots of names I haven't heard of (oh, and not even Tejay!), but that's just put in to more perspective by part 2 below.  Mostly it was the announcers that I took great joy in mocking yesterday as I watched it.  They were equally awesome today.
But this about the race, and the move that won it yesterday really was impressive.  With 1 km to go, Greg Van Avermaet of Team BMC took off, and managed to keep a gap on the bunch.  After the race, he said it was a planned move, and well executed.  He followed that up with a 2nd place today, getting an additional time bonus, he keeps himself safely in yellow for now.

The Belgian celebrating like real Americans... with a cowboy hat.

Pro Challenge Provisional Rosters Released
Meanwhile, USAPCC has cemented itself as one of the premier post-TdF destinations for professionals.  Props to the race organizers to getting this off the ground in such amazing fashion, and the fans for showing up in droves and proving to the governing bodies this race is worthy of the 2.HC rating.  For somewhere between those 2 things, and I'm sure some bundles of cash, the race has garnered another amazing roster.  It will feature, among others, TdF winner Chris Froome, his 2nd in command Richie Porte, Andy Schleck, Tejay VanGarderen, CVV, Tommy D, Peter Sagan, Jens Voigt, Andrew Talanksy, Dave Zabriskie.  I could go on.  Point being, the teams are bringing their A-game to the US of.  I'm stoked, if you couldn't tell.
Notably missing, Taylor Phinney is choosing (?) to stay in Europe, hit a couple of 1-day classics and prepare himself for world TT championship.  I put the ?, because BMC may actually be putting enough fire power behind Tejay's victory that they left him off.  Either way, it's a bummer, he made a nice showing last year and he's SO local.

Parting Thought: I kind of hope that if The Simpsons ever ends, Lisa ends up with Nelson.

Races that aren't the Tour de France

With the upcoming super-amazing USA Pro Cycling Challenge (thankfully shortened to USA Pro Challenge, though if they could just go ahead and buy the rights to Tour of Colorado we'd all be just a little better for it), I thought I'd take a second to look at the other races happening now and another excellent highlight of cycling in the US of A.

Tour de Pologne, Tour of Denmark, Arctic Race of Norway (?)
I highlighted Poland briefly last time, because of Taylor Phinney's amazing solo to victory.  Pieter Weening won the overall in this race, but perhaps more notable was that last year's TdF winner Bradley Wiggins (ok, fine, it always come back to TdF) won the final stage TT, showing for the first time since his injury that he's back in bicycle shape.  Also, Taylor Phinney got 3rd in that TT... but assuming his time wasn't good enough after he finished, he was back in hotel and missed the podium presentation.  Woops.

There's no one on Sir Bradley's left side...

Tour of Denmark saw a Mark Cavendish win on the final sprint, and the newly newly reformed Team Belkin get their first GC win with the young rider Wilco Kelderman.  The kid's 22!  He snatched victory as so many do on the time trial.

I only point out the Arctic Race of Norway because it's an inaugural event, and the scenery is pretty darn cool.  Check out letour.com/arctic-race-of-norway/2013/us/

Cycling back in the US

The Tour of Utah kicks off Tuesday.  This has been kind of a lead-in event to the Pro Challenge.  Which isn't to say anything bad about Utah, but Colorado usurped them and pros use this as a chance to acclimate.  That said, it goes through some pretty good terrain and brings in some big names.  Any chance for American cyclists to race on home soil will be hard fought.  One of the most interesting stages is Stage 4 on Friday.  It is only 33.8 miles long (yeah, no more metric system when it's in 'Merica), and is 5 laps going through downtown SLC.  This is a great stage for fans, and a very different race for riders.  They're usually barely warmed up at 33 miles.

What's also fun about these races (Tour of Cali and USAPCC included) is the chance to see some of the smaller class American teams and riders, like Lucas Euser and United Healthcare, as well as the young development squads of Bontrager (formerly Livestrong) and Hincapie.  Why Bontrager had to drop the Livestrong from its name, but Hincapie goes ahead and uses the name of a man who less famously but no more gracefully exited cycling, I don't know.

And then...

The US Pro Challenge, back here in CO on August 19 for the 3rd running!  TdF winner Chris Froome has (tentatively) confirmed his appearance.  Also Jens Voigt should be back (he will be racing Utah).

Parting Thought: Wiggle wiggle wiggle wiggle wiggle, yeah