RTP training

My goal this week is to get some serious miles on the bike as well as some climbing at altitude.
Yesterday I rode most of the way to Cripple Creek and back. It was a very warm day in the upper 90's even though the aspens are starting to show their colors.
Ring the Peak race is only 5 weeks away.

USA Pro Challenge Final Day

Christian Vandevelde in Yellow, Tejay Van Garderen second and Levi third.

USA Pro Challenge Day 6

Sitting on top of the Golden Hotel at the start line. Rooftop views are amazing with eagle eye view.

USA Pro Challenge Day 4

We left Aspen after an exciting Stage 3 provided by Tommy D and headed to Leadville. Julie wanted have a day oncourse so we decided to watch the sprint in Leadville. We stayed at the historic Delaware hotel and got up early to walk around town and find some breakfast.
The crowd was small but they had a lot of fun. There was a bike parade and various citizen events. I opted to go ride the course up to Tennessee Pass and back.
When leaving Leadville I met a guy from Juneau Alaska. He has been riding a fully loaded touring bike from Durango. Pretty interesting story that he flew to Durango and has been following the race. He has a shoulder surgery scheduled in the Vail next week.
I had to head off up the pass so I could get back to Leadville for the sprint.
The sprint was uneventful since Jens Voight was way ahead of the peloton.

USA Pro Challenge Day 3

USA Pro Challenge Telluride

With rain looming and coming down in some parts of the San Juan mountains the peleton had they're rain jackets ready.
After three laps around downtown Durango the racers head west out of town.
With a good break the front riders putting a big gap on the field. All to be taken back over Lizardhead pass and then the set-up for the sprint finish.
It was a great sprint finish for Tyler Farrar in his first race back in the United States. Fresh legs and looking happy Tyler heads to the top step of the podium. Not only with the Green Jersey but with Yellow as well.

Sent from my iPad

USA Pro Challenge turn one

Overcast morning here in Durango sitting on the tarmac. There's a big crowd and everyone is very excited.

USA Pro Challenge recovering riders

The 2012 race will see a lot of big name racing again this year. Unfortunately there are several favorites that are recovering from injuries. It's been a very difficult year in the pro peleton with almost every race ending with a rider out because of a serious crash caused injury.
The list is long, Levi with injuries from a car hitting him from behind.
Tommy D with two separated shoulders, Tyler Farrar with multiple bumps and bruises from crashes in the Tour de France.
Cadel Evans suffering from exhaustion after the Tour de France.
Andy Schleck healing after a broken back in the early season causing him to miss the Tour de France.
With all of the injured and recovering favorites this years race will give way to some of the up and coming Pros.
The riders I will be watching are guys like this years Tour of Utah winner Johann Tschoop. Timmy Duggan and Vincenzo Nibali of the Liquigas team, Tejay Van Garderen BMC, Rory Sutherland UHC, and Christian Vandevelde of Radio Shack.
This year the course will have a bit more climbing with some back to back tough climbs. Stage 3 and 4 have Independence pass to challenge the riders. Also they will see more uphill finishes and a time trial to end the tour.
I will be out on course again this year and Julie will be there with me as well. We plan to follow along on every stage and get some photos and write about the race.
The Radio Shack Tour Tracker is live now and you can download it or go to the site to follow along.
We are off to Durango for the kick off and start of the race.