Stage 3

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Christian Vande Velde Takes Narrow Overall Lead
Christian Vande Velde Takes Narrow Overall Lead and King of the Mountains Tom Danielson Claims Stage 3
Read The Recap
Stage Begins
August 22, 2012 - 10:10
Distance
130.5 miles
Total Climb
9623'
Estimated Finish
August 22, 2012 - 3:50 PM
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In an epic day of racing, Stage 3 of the 2012 USA Pro Challenge came to a close with Colorado-resident Tom Danielson (USA) of Garmin-Sharp-Barracuda taking a solo breakaway to the finish line in Aspen. With the peloton following close behind, Damiano Caruso (ITA) of Liquigas-Cannondale claimed second in the stage and Jakob Fuglsang (DEN) of RadioShack-Nissan-Trek took third on a course packed with cheering fans. And in a very close fight for the GC, Danielson’s Garmin-Sharp-Barracuda teammate Christian Vande Velde (USA) claimed the Exergy Leader Jersey.



Stage 3 took the riders on a 130.6 mile ride from Gunnison to downtown Aspen, facing them with the two epic passes of Cottonwood and Independence Pass. After rolling out of a neutral start in Gunnison, the riders showed they were ready to compete, immediately reaching speeds of 35 mph. With a breakaway of about 18 riders forming leading into the first Waste Management sprint in Almont, the BMC Racing Team led the front of the field, riding hard and trying to make sure the break didn’t get too far up the road.  With 1 km to go until reaching Cottonwood Pass, the break dwindled to only five riders, including Danielson, Fabio Aru (ITA) of Astana Pro Team, Dave Zabriskie (USA) of Garmin-Sharp-Barracuda, Francisco Jarley Colorado Hernandez (COL) of EPM-UNE and Jeffry Louder (USA) of UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team. Colorado Hernandez reached the top of the Pass first, followed by Danielson and Zabriskie.



With only two riders left into the break heading toward the final KOM of the day, tensions started to grow, but Danielson attacked in advance of the KOM setting him up to take max points and secure the Nissan King of the Mountains Jersey for another day.



With Danielson now on a solo mission headed straight for the finish in Aspen, the peloton took chase and narrowed the gap significantly to only a matter of seconds, but it wasn’t enough to catch the Colorado resident, and Danielson took the stage win.

 

How to Experience This Stage

Start    Finish

For Printable Version select Start or Finish image. 

For highway closure and traveler information, visit www.cotrip.org. 

For camping guidelines, visit www.fs.usda.gov/goto/r2/procycling2012.

Camping On Independence Pass

The Aspen-Sopris Ranger District is offering a number of camping and parking options during the Pro Challenge along Independence Pass.  All campgrounds on Independence Pass will be open, but camping is prohibited between MM56 and MM66.  Visitors are welcome to arrive early to park and view the race from the top of the pass, and will be required to move their cars at dusk for the evening.  Forest Service Law Enforcement and agency staff will be enforcing all regulations.  The White River National Forest website has more details at http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/whiteriver/.

Download: Parking on Independence Pass

Download: Stage 3 Spectator Guide

Download: Stage 3 Route Map

Download: Stage 3 Start Map

Download: Stage 3 Finish Map

Download: Stage 3 Profile

Download: Stage 3 Timetable

Download: Stage 3 Forecast

Who to Watch*

 

Here is what you CAN do.

- Watch the start in Gunnison, then drive over Monarch Pass and catch the race in Buena Vista.

- Watch on top of Cottonwood Pass, but only by bike. No cars will be allowed within 10 miles of the summit.

- Watch on top of Independence Pass, by arriving that morning.

Here is what you CANNOT do.

- Watch the start in Gunnison and make it to Aspen in time for finish.

- Park overnight on the top of either Cottonwood or Independence Pass. No overnight parking within several miles of the summit of either.

- Park overnight on Independence summit waiting for Stage 4 to pass over the next day.

KOM Lines

-          County Road 742

-          Cottonwood Pass ( 12,126 ft)

-          Independence Pass (12,095 ft)

Sprint Lines

-          Almont

-          Buena Vista

Where To Watch

YouTube

  • 2012 Stage 3 USA Pro Challenge - Gunnison to Aspen
  • 2012 Stage 3 Route Overview
  • USA Pro Cycling Challenge 2012 Stage 3 Preview
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TrainingPeaks

During Race Week, TrainingPeaks brought you in-depth data and analysis from riders in the USA Pro Cycling Challenge. See just how tough the climbs and stages were and check out the power, heart rate, speed, and elevation gain by rider.

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Feed zone

In road bicycle racing, a location along the course of a long race where team personnel hand musettescontaining food and beverages to passing riders. Ideally, a feed zone should be along a long, uncongested straight section of road, with a wide shoulder for team personnel and vehicles. 
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