Category Archives: Sport

Christian Vandevelde denies Levi Leipheimer a repeat win of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge


Winner of the 2011 USA Pro Cycling Challenge, Levi Leipheimer races the final stage of the 2012 race through the streets of Denver in a bid to hold onto the yellow leader jersey and defend his title.  A feat he would ultimately not accomplish with this time trial effort.


Overall GC Winner of the 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge, Christian Vandevelde celebrates on the podium.


Stage 7 of the 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge, a Time Trial event in the City of Denver.


USA Pro Cycling Challenge Stage 7 Time Trial.  Team Radio Shack Nissan Trek.


2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge press conference with Christian Vandevelde, Tejay Van Garderen, Tom Danielson & Taylor Phinney.

More images soon…
-Curtis Lewis

Levi Leipheimer claims the lead & Patrick Dempsey delivers the yellow jersey – Stage 6

In dramatic and dominating fashion with just 5km to go in the 165.5km penultimate stage of the 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge, Levi Leipheimer broke away from the peloton in a bid to catch early challenger Rory Sutherland for the stage win.  Though he was not able to catch Sutherland who ultimately won the stage, Levi was able to capture the yellow leader jersey from Tejay van Garderen going into the 7th and final stage, a time-trial in the city of Denver.

Levi Leipheimer celebrates winning the leader jersey with Actor, Patrick Dempsy at the end of Stage 6 at the 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge. 


Rory Sutherland of Australia wins Stage 6 of the 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge in impressive fashion with an early break away that held despite the charging defending Champion Levi Leipheimer.


Christian Vandevelde surrounded by the Media now just 9 seconds behind new race leader Levi Leipheimer going into the final stage of the 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge.


Tejay van Garderen finishing Stage 6 of the 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenege.  He won’t start the final day as he finished with the leader jersey on his back, that honor will now be held by defending Champion Levi Leipheimer who bested Tejay by 21 seconds on this penultimate stage.


Actor/Auto Racer Patrick Dempsey showing support for racing outside the motorsport world at the 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge.

-Curtis Lewis

Flashback


World Champion, Allyson Sydor works a very muddy Chapman Hill on the opening lap of the 1995 Iron Horse Bicycle Classic in Durango, CO.  Due to intense rain the night before and the morning of the race started not with riding, but rather hiking up the steep 1st climb.

Camera – Olympus OM-1
Ektachrome Film

-Curtis Lewis

Levi Leipheimer hangs on to yellow after a fast paced start out of Avon, CO.

As the riders set off for yet another scenic stage of the Pro Cycling Challenge, they set a blistering pace leaving Avon at an average speed of 37mph; this time headed for the Northern ski town of Steamboat Springs.

The town of Avon shows it’s appreciation with a bit of street art.Pro Cycling Challenge Avon, CO

Levi Leipheimer will no doubt be happy to retain the Yellow jersey going into stage 5 on Saturday, but while only holding 11 seconds over Christian Vandevelde and a mere 53 seconds separating the top 5 the race for the win is far from over.Levi Leipheimer

Stage 4 sign in board.

George Hincapie starts the stage wearing Green.George Hincapie

After almost dropping out of the Pro Cycling Challenge before Stage 3 (TT) due to a bout with the stomach flu, local favorite Tom Danielson says he’s happy to be feeling much better and able to continue on.Tom Danielson

Frank Schleck stops to sign a few autographs after signing into today’s stage.Frank Schleck

The Colombians have done well to fuel the high altitude fears of the peloton with an aggressive approach to the Pro Cycling Challenge.Gobernacion De Antioquia-Indeportes Antioquia

The field rolls off to start the first of two laps through Avon before setting out towards Steamboat.

The days break away.  Five riders lead by, you guessed it, Gobernacion De Antioquia-Indeportes Antioquia.Break-away Pro Cycling Challenge

The Peloton works to stop the increasing 3:00+ minute gap to the break away.The Peloton - Pro Cycling Challenge

The climbs of Stage 4 prove to be a welcome break from the high Rocky Mountain passes endured so far.

Andy Schleck takes a moment to discuss with his Leopard Trek team.Andy Schleck - Pro Cycling Challenge

The winner of today’s stage (Stage 4) and new Sprint leader, Elia Viviani riding for Liquigas Cannondale.Elia Viviani

Mavic support moto.Mavic Moto
…and finally a few select quotes from today…

Levi Leipheimer (USA): “Today was a nice day because it was a little bit shorter and flat, and I think all the riders were looking forward to that – it’s nice to have a mixture of stages.  Liquigas did a lot of work and they deserved the win.”
Looking toward Stage 5:  “I think there is a lot of chance for the other riders and competitors to attack and put us under pressure and I’m not going to assume otherwise.  Tomorrow is a big obstacle on the way to Denver and we just have to take it day by day.”

Elia Viviani (ITA): “I think this victory is important for the team because Cannondale is a very important sponsor for us.  We are in a good period right now because the rest of the team had a big win in the Vuelta yesterday.  Today was just another demonstration that Liquigas-Cannondale is confident and good.”
His thoughts on being the new Sprint leader:  “For me the Smashburger Sprint Jersey is very important – in the first stages I sprinted for this jersey.  Tomorrow is a good stage for us because the last kilometer is in the climb and for me it is good for the last stage.  I think tomorrow will work for us.”

Thanks for reading/looking, more tomorrow!
-Curtis Lewis

Watch for this and other posts on: http://buzz.snow.com/
(All content, including images Copyright 2011 Curtis Lewis)

“The highest point is 3,600 meters. I’ve never been that high before…” – Andy Schleck

International Pro Cycling returns to Colorado in the form of the Inaugural Pro Cycling Challenge, an event that should spark fond memories of the historic Coors Classic for those that remember.  After acclimating to the heights of the Colorado Rockies a select few share their thoughts on the event the afternoon before the Prologue.

Cadel Evans
Cadel Evans (AUS):
“The climbs are reasonably hard but the altitude will be the biggest test for us.  I’ve been here for a week and I’m hoping I can adjust in time.” When asked his thoughts on who’s favored to win he remarked, “I think I look at the Columbians as the favorites because of the advantages they have training at altitude.  We will do anything we can, but they are definitely in a favorable environment.”

Andy & Frank Schleck
Andy Schleck (LUX):
“The altitude is hard.  It is definitely going to be the biggest obstacle in the race and will be a big challenge.  The highest point is 3,600 meters. I’ve never been that high before so I’m looking forward to going up there. The thing is, we all have to go up to those heights, so its not going to be just hard for me.  It will be difficult for everyone.”
Frank Schleck (LUX): “I couldn’t do the Amgen Tour of California this year, but when I had the chance to do the USA Pro Cycling Challenge, I knew the state has a big passion for cycling and the people have a big passion for cycling, so I was excited to come. I heard all about this climbing.  That just made my day.  Colorado has been great – I really love this state.”

Ton Danielson
Tom Danielson (USA):
“Lookout is one of the local races we have in Colorado.  It was one of my favorite climbs and my current record is 16 minutes.  I don’t think we’ll go that fast up it because it’s the beginning of the stage, but perhaps the Columbians might have other ideas…”

Ivan Basso
Ivan Basso (ITA):
“For me the problem is that I only got here two days ago.  I saw the map and we go really, really high – almost to the sky.  I am in good condition.  The only problem is the altitude and the jet lag.”

Robert Gesink
Robert Gesink (NED):
“I’m motivated to do the USA Pro Cycling Challenge.  I’m happy I came early to prep for the altitude.  We did some nice training.  The hours go by pretty fast because you look around and see all the great views.  I like to race outside Europe, but it’s nice to be over here because it’s completely different.  I’m motivated to get good results.”

Sergio Henao
Sergio Luis Henao (COL):
“For the Columbian people, the advantage we have is the altitude because we train every day at more than 2,000 meters.  Colombians are generally good in the mountains.  For us this is an important race and we think we can be in the key places in the race.  There is a high, high level here, but we will fight to win and race for the people here in Colorado.  I am very proud to be here with the top riders in the world.”

 

-Curtis Lewis
(All content/images Copyright 2011 Curtis Lewis)