Van Garderen claims second straight USA Pro Challenge title

Aspen’s Tejay van Garderen took over the lead on Monarch Mountain, built a big cushion with another record-breaking performance on Vail Pass and cruised to his second straight USA Pro Challenge overall victory in a triumphant final stage from Boulder to Denver on Sunday.

The BMC Racing star was sixth on the day behind Garmin-Sharp’s Alex Howe, who threw his bike over the line for a photo-finish win over Kiel Reijnen (UnitedHealthcare) — making it a 1-2 finish for Colorado cyclists. Van Garderen once again praised the massive crowds that turned out for the fourth running of the seven-stage Colorado race.

“It was incredible,” van Garderen said of Sunday’s 78-mile Stage 7. “The crowds were huge in Boulder, and it was just like a big crescendo coming into Denver. The crowds just got bigger and louder, and it just felt awesome.

“To come in here as the defending champion and to actually be able to defend the title, I felt like there was a lot of pressure on my shoulders this week, and the boys showed a lot of poise and we stayed in control.”

Garmin-Sharp’s Tom Danielson finished in the pack and wound up second overall (1:32 back) after claiming third last year. Serghei Tvetcov (Jelly Belly) finished third in the final GC and was 1:46 off van Garderen’s pace.

German rider Jens Voigt of Trek Factory Racing was part of an early break that dwindled to five riders over Lookout Mountain, and the crowd favorite managed to hold the lead until the final lap in Denver, where the peleton caught him and many riders patted him on the back on their way by. It was Voigt’s final professional race.

“I think I will need a few days and weeks to let that sink in. After 17 years of being one of the boys it will take a moment to change the way I look at things,” Voigt said. “I’m going to embrace my future with open arms and let’s see what challenges are coming ahead there.”

Howes, who grew up in Golden and now lives in Spain, was ecstatic to win in front of hometown fans.

“We went past my house literally four times today on the opening circuits. I saw my entire family out there today,” Howes said. “The plan was to go over Lookout and drive it to the finish and I didn’t know if it was going to work. We got to talking on the team bus this morning and we all agreed we’d try. With my team riding up there today in my home state with all their hearts, I just couldn’t lose.”

Van Garderen seemed almost as pleased to help win the team title for BMC.

“I really worked hard for this so it is really satisfying, especially to win such a great race in the state where I live,” van Garderen said. “It is made even better by the fact that we also won the team title. To be able to celebrate up there on the podium with all of my teammates was a proud moment.”

Van Garderen, winner of two stages himself, tried to help teammate Michael Schär win a third by leading him through the final corner of the 126.2-kilometer race into Denver. But Schär was unable to hold off Alex Howes and Schär finished third, earning the BMC Racing Team its sixth podium finish of the race.

Van Garderen’s victory was his fourth of the season and the BMC Racing Team’s 25th this year. He also won the “best Colorado rider” classification ahead of 12 other residents of the state.

The day started with a symbolic appearance on the start line by injured BMC Racing Team rider and reigning U.S. national time trial champion Taylor Phinney, who lives in Boulder, site of the stage start. From there, the BMC Racing Team worked to keep a breakaway in check before bringing the race back together inside the final kilometers.

Schär, who soloed to win a stage of the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah earlier this month, thought he had another one in his sights.

“With 50 meters to go and I thought I had it,” the past Swiss national road champion said. “I was on the right side and those two guys came on the left and got me on the line. It is OK, though; I am not a sprinter.”

BMC Racing Team Sport Director Jackson Stewart said he could not have imagined the race going much better.

“Tejay handled the pressure of being defending champion well,” Stewart said. “All of the guys rallied around him every day and we showed just how strong we were by winning the team title. I am especially pleased with that achievement.”