USA Pro Challenge Day 1

Durango to Telluride 126 miles in 4:42, averaging nearly 27 mph despite 8800 ft of climbing. Impressive, what a way to start the tour! From the beginning... The guys get their bikes in the morning after Josh has dialed the machines in over the preceding 2 hours . Nearly everyone has some bit of a routine...hurried, laid back, diligent. Many of the the guys will write down notes regarding the course. Here is Sergei's...came in handy as he was in the main break of the day with all of the big hitters.

Matt Cooke (ex triathlete, current GC/climber guy) is one of the diligent ones. He carefully checks his bike to make sure the brakes aren't rubbing, the skewers and headset are tight, computers are working, the hoods haven't moved, not too much throw in the brakes...a very thorough run through to confirm his bike is as he wants it.

The guys head to the start to sign in. As they do that, all the different vehicles head out to take care of their respective jobs for the day. Scott (Escalera Mgmt) and Troy (soigné) are off 2 hrs before the start to haul the van to the finish and get ready to receive the riders. Tad (Director) & Gary (Asst. Director) fill their cars with Josh, Mo, and guests. Mike (soigné), Remi (Escalera Mgmt and cool dude), and myself have feed zone duties. Each team has lunches provided by race organization. Here is Mike picking up ours.

The feed zone folks head out first in front of the start so we can get ahead of the peloton and set up. Generally we will try to pick up a spot on an slight uphill so the pace isn't crazy fast when they go by. There is a certain technique to handing off the musettes which I learned from the Liquigas soigné at the Tour of California this past year. Never run with the riders is key and foremost. Don't get to far into the road, stand still, bag high, release. You definitely don't want to be the guy causing a crash...and believe me, I've seen it! It gets ugly when somebody causes a crash in the feed zone and riders go down. Today was awesome as Sergei and Matt were both in the break with the big hitters. Matt picked up some KOM points and Sergei took max points at one of the intermediate sprints.

What was most impressive about today was the pace. These guys were killing it from the gun and really putting the pressure on from the first kilometer. It was sort of funny, as apparently Tom Danielson was telling Freddie that he thought the day was going to be easy and everyone was going to cruise it. Shortly thereafter, Garmin attacks with 4 guys up the road, including Danielson. Nothing like a little friendly gamemanship. We had a lot of great riding today. Freddie managed to make the 1st chase group that caught the final break and was able to take 4th at the line. This was after apparently suffering an asthma attack in the first part of the stage and almost pulling out. Amazing how fine a line sports performance can be. Andres also had a great first day and finished at the same time as winner Tyler Farrar. Here is a shot from behind the finish line as we were waiting for the sprint.

At the finish, the concentration immediately goes to recovery. Short spin to hotel, Recovery Pump System boots, recovery drinks, massage, dinner, race briefing, more Recovery Pump boot time and off to bed.

Should be another tough but exciting day tomorrow. J