- Mar 10, 2009
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Stage 1 of this inaugural race takes the peloton on mostly wide open US and Colorado State highways from the whitewater capitol of the mountain west (Salida), over Monarch Pass (the first of four crossings of the Continental Divide), through one of the coldest towns in the USA (Gunnison) to the mining town of Crested Butte and the ski station of Mt Crested Butte.
That's the town of Crested Butte! Extreme skiing, and gnarly mountain biking are what this town is all about; that and mesmerizing and perplexing women. In fact, the shaved legs of the Pro Peloton might cause this town pause... Then again, the scent of petuli oil might cause the peloton to stop short. (just kidding folks…)
This is, unfortunately (and of no fault of the beautiful towns of CB) the only (quasi) Mountain Top Finish. The final climb is short, and not steep. Its altitude however (above 2700m) may cause difficulties; and there is an interesting quirk to this stage. Look at the profile closely.
Yes, there is a sprint in Crested Butte just before the short final uphill stretch. Note also that this sprint comes after a long stretch of gradual downhill along the Tomichi followed by a long stretch of gradual uphill along the Gunnison/East rivers. As the write-up from the official site notes,
Here is the color coordinated profile showing gradients:
I suspect that the sprinter’s teams will animate this stage trying to keep the inevitable break in check; up until the final climb that is. This will be a difficult stage; the peloton will essentially shatter on the northern edge of Crested Butte. It will be a nasty sprint to the finish animated by those not expecting to do well in Thursday’s uphill ITT – and who still have enough oxygen in their bloodstream.
That's the town of Crested Butte! Extreme skiing, and gnarly mountain biking are what this town is all about; that and mesmerizing and perplexing women. In fact, the shaved legs of the Pro Peloton might cause this town pause... Then again, the scent of petuli oil might cause the peloton to stop short. (just kidding folks…)
This is, unfortunately (and of no fault of the beautiful towns of CB) the only (quasi) Mountain Top Finish. The final climb is short, and not steep. Its altitude however (above 2700m) may cause difficulties; and there is an interesting quirk to this stage. Look at the profile closely.
Yes, there is a sprint in Crested Butte just before the short final uphill stretch. Note also that this sprint comes after a long stretch of gradual downhill along the Tomichi followed by a long stretch of gradual uphill along the Gunnison/East rivers. As the write-up from the official site notes,
Here is the color coordinated profile showing gradients:
I suspect that the sprinter’s teams will animate this stage trying to keep the inevitable break in check; up until the final climb that is. This will be a difficult stage; the peloton will essentially shatter on the northern edge of Crested Butte. It will be a nasty sprint to the finish animated by those not expecting to do well in Thursday’s uphill ITT – and who still have enough oxygen in their bloodstream.
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