USA Pro Cycling Challenge, Stage 4; Aspen to Beaver Creek, 156.4 kms
Riders will face a 1260 meters of climbing straight away on today stage in about 30 kms as they reverse the climb of Independence Pass. The average grade is 4%, but yields no downhill and is more of a mix of false flat and steeper pitches than the steady grade the profile suggests. A select group of might choose to drive it to the finish or, if the mix is not right, a long chase could ensue. Once past the Twin Lakes just off the descent, the riders will turn north and soon grind their way up a shallow pitch through the gold mining town of Leadville and over the Tennessee Pass at 3179 meters. A rolling 20 kms downhill follows before facing the Cat 3, Battle Creek Mountain which could launch a final break from what's left of a front group with only 20 kms more rolling down again to the start of the final 4k climb to Beaver Creek which looks to be at 6%, but may have some brief steeper sections.
I think the initial climb will see a break (s) go clear, but will regroup to a small bunch of 30 (or less) could drive on to the Beaver Creek climb if the mix is right. The question is whether or not work horses like Dave Z or Hincapie will make be able to make it back on. The leaders might want to slow it down and to keep from getting isolated.
Riders like Spider Tech's Lucus Euser, EPM-UNE's Rincon Diaz, Livestrong-Bontreger's Joe Dombroski, and will at least be vying for KOM points along with Tommy Danielson.
RSNT had five riders in the front group, and they might be looking look to at least get a man or two in off the front in an early move. The downhill after Battle Creek will urge a good break on in the closing kms. The tactic will have a lot to do with the carnage (or not) of the first climb.
RSNT and BMC are now pointing fingers at each other. Horner blasted them for not doing more to control the race on Stage 2 with the roaster they've brought, and now, BMC's director Michael Sayers has fired back saying RSNT are just sitting in as reported by cyclingnews.
BMC is also contesting the result of Stage 2 saying that Van Garderen had a least a two second gap on Vande Velde.
Stay tuned.
Oh, also expect the bigger crowds to continue as the race is hits more populated areas.
Streaming live from the start at 11:40 am MST, 1:40 pm EST;
http://radioshacktourtracker.usaprocyclingchallenge.com/
Riders will face a 1260 meters of climbing straight away on today stage in about 30 kms as they reverse the climb of Independence Pass. The average grade is 4%, but yields no downhill and is more of a mix of false flat and steeper pitches than the steady grade the profile suggests. A select group of might choose to drive it to the finish or, if the mix is not right, a long chase could ensue. Once past the Twin Lakes just off the descent, the riders will turn north and soon grind their way up a shallow pitch through the gold mining town of Leadville and over the Tennessee Pass at 3179 meters. A rolling 20 kms downhill follows before facing the Cat 3, Battle Creek Mountain which could launch a final break from what's left of a front group with only 20 kms more rolling down again to the start of the final 4k climb to Beaver Creek which looks to be at 6%, but may have some brief steeper sections.
I think the initial climb will see a break (s) go clear, but will regroup to a small bunch of 30 (or less) could drive on to the Beaver Creek climb if the mix is right. The question is whether or not work horses like Dave Z or Hincapie will make be able to make it back on. The leaders might want to slow it down and to keep from getting isolated.
Riders like Spider Tech's Lucus Euser, EPM-UNE's Rincon Diaz, Livestrong-Bontreger's Joe Dombroski, and will at least be vying for KOM points along with Tommy Danielson.
RSNT had five riders in the front group, and they might be looking look to at least get a man or two in off the front in an early move. The downhill after Battle Creek will urge a good break on in the closing kms. The tactic will have a lot to do with the carnage (or not) of the first climb.
RSNT and BMC are now pointing fingers at each other. Horner blasted them for not doing more to control the race on Stage 2 with the roaster they've brought, and now, BMC's director Michael Sayers has fired back saying RSNT are just sitting in as reported by cyclingnews.
BMC is also contesting the result of Stage 2 saying that Van Garderen had a least a two second gap on Vande Velde.
Stay tuned.
Oh, also expect the bigger crowds to continue as the race is hits more populated areas.
Streaming live from the start at 11:40 am MST, 1:40 pm EST;
http://radioshacktourtracker.usaprocyclingchallenge.com/
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