Who wins USA Pro Challenge 2011?

[Havetts]

Cool link thanks Cineteq.

 

[benpounder]

So who will win the maiden Colorado Tour and why?.

I know this route, and am familiar with the riders... And I have no clue.

 

[bebebelle]

Evans!!!! gogogo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Woody22]

Evans for the win. Has won 4 out of 5 stage races this year and 2nd in one other. Won't be in best form for obvious reasons but will still be good enough.

 

[Jethro]

Evans if he's got the motivation and form. He hasn't done much racing since the Tour. He may want to prove to the Schlecks that the Tour wasn't a fluke and have the psychological advantage for next year.

 

[movingtarget]

Everyone is talking up the Colombians because of the altitude. I think Leipheimer, Henao and maybe Evans will fight it out. Can't see Gesink coming good at this stage of the season and Andy may not be trying too hard. It's not like Evans to turn up without trying to win unlike some of the others who will enjoy the scenery.

 

[Angliru]

Evans should beat Levi in the TT, then wheelsuck Levi all the way to Denver.

...but whose wheel will Levi be clamped onto unless they both will be riding in circles following each other's rear wheel?

 

[jobiwan]

The only thing that would make me consider that Andy is even thinking about riding this race to win is the fact that he has been here for a week or two. At least he isn't just showing up a day before.

That said, I still would be (pleasantly) surprised to see him with the favorites at the top of Independence Pass.

 

[Angliru]

The only thing that would make me consider that Andy is even thinking about riding this race to win is the fact that he has been here for a week or two. At least he isn't just showing up a day before.

That said, I still would be (pleasantly) surprised to see him with the favorites at the top of Independence Pass.

Jobiwan, I just noticed you're in Tennessee. I've spent some time down there riding the Smokey Mountains, specifically Butterfly Gap, The Wall, Tail of the Dragon, Foothills Parkway etc... My club and several others from different parts of the country used to meet there at the end of April (I would always miss the Ardennes Classics as a result) for what we called the Mountain Summit. We'd usually be lodged in Townsend. Butterfly Gap and The Wall are the toughest climbs I've ever done!

 

[jobiwan]

Jobiwan, I just noticed you're in Tennessee. I've spent some time down there riding the Smokey Mountains, specifically Butterfly Gap, The Wall, Tail of the Dragon, Foothills Parkway etc... My club and several others from different parts of the country used to meet there at the end of April (I would always miss the Ardennes Classics as a result) for what we called the Mountain Summit. We'd usually be lodged in Townsend. Butterfly Gap and The Wall are the toughest climbs I've ever done!

Tennessee indeed! I'm located more in Middle Tennessee, but I love heading east to the Smokies. In fact, I think I might me headed there later this fall during one of my school breaks! It's just a beautiful place out there, and yes, there are some VERY tough roads!!

 

[ImmaculateKadence]

I voted for Andy. I think he wants to make statement or salvage something from this year. He also needs to win that ever elusive stage race, but Levi might mark every attack and win narrowly via TT.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

Everyone is talking up the Colombians because of the altitude. I think Leipheimer, Henao and maybe Evans will fight it out. Can't see Gesink coming good at this stage of the season and Andy may not be trying too hard. It's not like Evans to turn up without trying to win unlike some of the others who will enjoy the scenery.

Yeup. Altitude. For that reason I voted Henao, but watch out for Tommy Danielson, who lives/trains there at high altitude.

 

[cineteq]

Virtual GC

Vandelvelde
Van Garderen +6
Leipheimer +6
Evans +7
Danielson +16
Gesink +16
Sevilla +31
A. Schleck +35
F. Schleck +36
Henao +44
Basso +50

Oh uh, I might have missed a major contender, Vandelvelde, in the poll?

 

[richo36]

I voted evans because he never turns up to a race not to win. I think if evans is still with the leaders going over the final pass on stage 2 he will attack on the downhill. being a good downhill rider i think he might be able to drop one or two others. Although not much time will be gained i think this race will be won by seconds in the time trail so every second counts.

Also cant wait to see andy attack only to look over his shoulder to make sure frank is alright.

 

[mewmewmew13]

I voted for Cadel and after today still think he looks the best chance for the GC...although Levi is looking fiesty after the TT I think his form may be a bit off after Utah. I hope.

Tommy D might just put in a great showing and don't forget Stetina.

 

[Eric8-A]

I hope the way Tommy D and Vandevelde rode in Utah is no indicator as to how they'll ride in Colorado. I'm sure they used Utah as training. If Vandevelde can hang in the climbs, he can do something serious in the TT based on his TT results in Utah. And the one from today.

 

[Boeing]

Voted Tommy d because he can suck oxygen out of a tail pipe at 12,000 feet

 

[Midnightfright]

I'm guna both Thomas D because I think he really wants this and as mentioned before he seems good with high altitude.

 

[greenedge]

Was going to go Henao but then i don't know how much time on climbs he will gain. It then came down to Tommy D, Levi or Evans. I voted for Evans. I can envisage TJVG getting the young jersey.

 

[cineteq]

GC after Stage 1

1 Levi LEIPHEIMER Team RadioShack 4:37:47
2 Christian VANDEVELDE Team Garmin - Cervelo 0:00:11
3 Tejay VAN GARDEREN HTC - Highroad 0:00:17
4 Cadel EVANS BMC Racing Team 0:00:17
5 Robert GESINK Rabobank Cycling Team 0:00:30
9 Tom DANIELSON Team Garmin - Cervelo 0:00:37
11 Frank SCHLECK Team Leopard-Trek 0:00:42
12 Oscar SEVILLA RIBIERO Gobernacion de Antioquia 0:00:44
13 Sergio HENAO MONTOYA Gobernacion de Antioquia 0:00:45
16 Ryder HESJEDAL Team Garmin - Cervelo 0:00:53
44 Andy SCHLECK Team Leopard-Trek 0:01:38
77 Ivan BASSO Liquigas-Cannondale 0:03:06

 

[ImmaculateKadence]

Is it too late to revise my pick

It seems Andy is totally uninterested in winning anything that isn't in July.

 

[greenedge]

I despair to say it but i think Bottle has wrapped this up.

 

[Eric8-A]

I think the GC will stay the way it is now. I doubt anybody will attack. And if they do, it won't stick.