Aspen, Colo. (Aug. 18, 2014) – Set against the beautiful backdrop of Aspen and Snowmass, the 2014 USA Pro Challenge got off to an exciting start with a circuit race of three 22-miles laps that included 2,300 ft. of climbing per lap, creating an aggressive day of racing. Colorado Resident Kiel Reijnen (USA) of UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team took home the stage win, which also puts him in the overall lead heading into the second day of racing.
“This stage was really exciting last year. It was a nail-biter and this year was the same,” said Reijnen. “The USA Pro Challenge is a huge goal for our team. Everyone is here watching and it’s really important to the team we do well here.”
Each lap today included the steep climb up to Snowmass Village, then a quick descent that led to two more short, but challenging climbs. That was followed by a quick loop through downtown, riding through the streets of cheering fans, before heading out to do it all two more times.
After neutral laps through downtown the cyclists were on their way. From the get-go attacks were coming of the front as the riders sped out of downtown Aspen. Danny Summerhill (USA) of UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team launched the one that would stick and was soon joined by Joshua Berry (USA) of Team SmartStop, Ian Crane (USA) of Jamis-Hagens Berman p/b Sutter Home, Jonathan Freter (USA) of Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis, Gregory Daniel (USA) of Bissell Development Team, Lachlan Norris (AUS) of Drapac Professional Cycling, Matt Cooke (USA) of Jamis-Hagens Berman p/b Sutter Home and Luis Davila (MEX) of Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis.
Berry fell off the back as Summerhill went for the Lexus Sprint Line and took first in Downtown Aspen, followed by Davila and Daniel.
With KOM points on the line during the second and third laps of this first stage, the riders prepared for the first climb of the day in Snowmass, with Lachlan taking first, followed by Davila and Ben Jacques-Maynes (USA) of Jamis-Hagens Berman p/b Sutter Home. As their lead continued to increase, the break approached the second KOM of the day at White Star Lane, where Norris took first, with Jacques-Maynes and Cooke following closely behind.
In a chase led by Cannondale Pro Cycling, determined to set up their sprinter for the stage win, the gap started to close as the riders approached the second sprint of the day. Summerhill took max points again, followed by Freter and Jacques-Maynes. Heading into the final lap of the day, Jacques-Maynes attacked the break and gained a small lead. At the same time, Summerhill and Freter cracked and dropped off the back.
At the third Sierra Nevada KOM of the day back in Snowmass, Jacques-Maynes hit the top first, followed by Norris and then Cooke. Heading into the final KOM of the day, the original break was absorbed by the field, leaving only Jacques-Maynes off the front. Then, in traditional fashion, fan favorite Jens Voigt (GER) of Trek Factory Racing attacked to join Jacques-Maynes as they crested the final KOM competition of the day. Jacques-Maynes took first, followed by Voigt and Lucas Euser (USA) of UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team.
With only a few miles to go, things started heating up. Voigt was reabsorbed as Javier Megias (ESP) of Team Novo Nordisk made a move off the front. In the final stretch of the race, Reijnen and Alex Howes (USA) of Team Garmin-Sharp chased for the win and overtook Megias.
“That last lap today really heated it up and it was just full gas from there on,” said Howes. “You see a lot of punch and lift from riders toward the end, and that’s not really something you see at this kind of altitude. It’s pretty exciting to see that out here.”
In a close finish, Reijnen took the stage win, followed by Howes in second and Ben Hermans (BEL) of BMC Racing Team in third.
“Aspen is such a great host city and the perfect place to start the USA Pro Challenge,” said Shawn Hunter, CEO of the Pro Challenge. “The fans were out today in droves and the riders really fed off that enthusiasm. Today was a fantastic day of racing and if it’s any indication of what the rest of the week will be like, we’re all in for a treat.”
After the conclusion of the first stage of the USA Pro Challenge, Reijnen holds the Smashburger Leader Jersey, Lexus Sprint Jersey and, new for this year, the Colorado National Guard Best Colorado Rider Jersey . Jacques-Maynes has the Sierra Nevada King of the Mountains Jersey and Summerhill was awarded the FirstBank Most Aggressive Rider Jersey. Clement Chevrier (FRA) of Bissell Development Team has the Colorado State University Best Young Rider Jersey heading into Stage 2 tomorrow
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