Garmin’s Caldwell takes Tour of Utah stage, race lead
The top stage racers in the country wasted no time Thursday in tearing apart the general classification at the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah. A select group of 13 riders emerged during the day’s third and final mountain pass as the most likely contenders for overall victory, while Garmin-Chipotle’s 24-year-old Blake Caldwell took his second career Tour of Utah stage win. For the second consecutive day, the stage winner came out of a small breakaway, and for the second consecutive day the winner wore a Garmin-Chipotle jersey, which was then traded for yellow atop the podium.
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Thirteen riders poised to contend for overall victory
By Neal Rogers
Photo: Ben Ross/Action Images
The top stage racers in the country wasted no time Thursday in tearing apart the general classification at the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah. A select group of 13 riders emerged during the day’s third and final mountain pass as the most likely contenders for overall victory, while Garmin-Chipotle’s 24-year-old Blake Caldwell took his second career Tour of Utah stage win.
For the second consecutive day, the stage winner came out of a small breakaway, and for the second consecutive day the winner wore a Garmin-Chipotle jersey, which was then traded for yellow atop the podium.
Garmin-Chipotle’s Jason Donald started stage 2 wearing the race leader’s jersey after winning Wednesday’s opening stage out of a three-man breakaway. By day’s end, the jersey had traded shoulders to Caldwell, who won Thursday’s 84.5-mile stage in a two-up sprint against BMC’s South African climbing ace Darren Lill.
Photo: Ben Ross/Action Images
Caldwell and Lill went clear from a breakaway group halfway up Salt Lake City’s Big Mountain, 18 miles from the finish on a stage that delivered 10,585 feet of elevation between the start in Ogden and finish in Salt Lake.
Behind in a group that was less breakaway and more the whittled down front of the race, several race favorites, including Toyota-United’s Chris Baldwin, Team Type 1’s Glen Chadwick, Health Net-Maxxis rider Phil Zajicek and Bissell’s Burke Swindlehurst found themselves isolated without teammates and hesitant to chase down the move.
Rock Racing had Tyler Hamilton, Cesar Grajales and Oscar Sevilla in the group, while Garmin and BMC were each represented by two riders — Donald and Peter Stetina for Garmin, and Brent Bookwalter and Jeff Louder for BMC — and would not chase.
Photo: Ben Ross/Action Images
The hesitation gave Caldwell and Lill the advantage they needed to stay clear to the line.
“Today was just very frustrating for everyone behind,” said Toyota-United’s Chris Baldwin, a rider that nearly every man in the front group said was perhaps the strongest. “We had so many guys there, but a lot of guys who were isolated. Rock was the only one with multiple guys there, so everyone kind of looked to them to do the work. Burke Swindlehurst was the only other guy that really manned up and started working right away. The rest of us let Rock do it for a while, and that was our undoing. If the independents had teamed up with the Rocks, we would have caught them no problem.”
With little time for cat and mouse tactics, Lill did the lion’s share of the work in the final 10km, intent on gaining time on the GC rather than trying his chances for a stage win. In a sprint between two climbers, Caldwell easily came around Lill, with the pair finishing 18 seconds ahead of the elite chase group. Donald finished 20 seconds behind the first chase group, and now sits 38 seconds back of Caldwell.
Noticeably absent from the first chase group was Garmin’s Tom Danielson, who finished 3:50 in arrears. Along with Rock Racing’s Oscar Sevilla and Health Net-Maxxis rider Rory Sutherland, Danielson rode aggressively during the first hour of the race. On the final climb, however, both Danielson and Sutherland paid the price.
“I was jumping all over the place, with Sevila and everyone I thought I was strong,” Danielson said. “It became a really difficult race, because it was just jump, jump, jump. Sevilla was very aggressive, and myself, I was a little too aggressive for where I’m at, I guess. Maybe I didn’t drink enough, but on the last climb I cramped and I had to limit my losses.”
Fast and Furious
Sunny skies at the 11 a.m. start meant for a hot day for the peloton, with temperatures in the upper 80s, little cloud cover and only light wind. And with the day’s first climb up North Ogden Pass beginning just seven miles after the start, the peloton knew the pain would begin quickly.
Garmin showed its intention to be aggressive early when Will Frischkorn attacked from the gun, going clear for a few miles before the peloton reeled him in.
Next to slip away, at the base of the climb, was an eight-rider group, which split on the steep early slopes. Leading the way up the climb were Garmin’s Caldwell and Peter Stetina, joined by BMC’s Scott Nydam. Following behind were Ted King (Bissell), Jonathan Chodroff (RideClean), Chris Jones (Team Type 1), Mike Creed (Rock Racing) and points leader Brad White (Successful Living), who spent stage 1 off the front with Donald and Sheldon Deeny (Fan Sports Network composite team).
Photo: Ben Ross/Action Images
By the top, however, the breakaway had been caught and the race’s heavy hitters had already begun to battle. First over the top was Baldwin, followed by Chadwick, Stetina, Anthony Colby (Fan Sports Network), Grajales and Swindlehurst.
A front group of 17 riders emerged at the bottom, with BMC’s Nydam briefly alone at the front while the strung-out head of the pack split and came back together. In the group were Sevilla, Donald, Stetina, Danielson, Louder, Baldwin, Chadwick and Sutherland.
By mile 20, near the Pineview Reservoir, Danielson and Sevilla were throttling at the front of the field, leading into the day’s first sprint point before the highway grade climb led to Trappers Loop, the day’s second climb. Looking to build on the sprint points he’d earned on stage 1, White jumped out of group to take maximum points, while Deeny crossed the first sprint point second, with Nydam taking third.
Foreshadowing what would happen on the day’s final climb, the field was strung out again on Trappers Loop climb with Lill and Caldwell at the front. Over the top, Chadwick took maximum KOM points with a five-second advantage over the top, followed by Caldwell, Grajales, Matt Cooke (Health Net) and Nydam.
At the bottom of the descent of a peloton of 45 riders had formed. Distaster struck BMC, however, when Nydam crashed and appeared to have broken his collarbone.
Photo: Ben Ross/Action Images
“Scott touched wheels with someone and went down hard; we suspect he may have fractured his collarbone, though I’m not certain about that,” Chilcott said. “It was just one of those innocuous, small accidents that happen sometimes, and have a larger impact than we would like.”
Shortly after, at mile 37, a breakaway containing Omer Kem (Bissell), Mike Creed (Rock Racing), Ben Day (Toyota-United), Ian McKissick (BMC) and Danny Pate (Garmin) formed, opening a maximum lead of 45 seconds through the day’s second sprint intermediate sprint. But that group was also ultimately destined to fail.
Two against many
Next off the front was a dangerous move containing Sutherland, Lill and McKissick, Caldwell, Deeny, Jeremy Vennel (Bissell), J.R. Grabinger (Successful Living) and Chris Jones (Team Type 1). That group opened up a one-minute gap by the feed zone at mile 56, but McKissick punctured and was forced to drop back to the chase group as the break began to disintegrate on the early slopes of Big Mountain, near mile 65.
Lill accelerated up the climb, and soon only Caldwell could match the pace, while behind, the race’s contenders came to the fore and formed a select group. In that group were Zajicek, Swindlehurst, Grajales, Hamilton, Sevilla, Baldwin, Louder, Bookwalter, Chadwick, Stetina and Donald, who struggled to maintain contact.
“Darren was setting a hard tempo halfway up the climb,” Caldwell said. “I had orders to stay with whoever went. We were riding to protect the jersey, so I had the luxury of sitting on most of the time.”
While Lill and Caldwell held a one-minute lead on the descent, the 11-man group brought the leaders within 20 seconds on a slight rise that interrupted the 15-mile descent into Salt Lake. However without a cohesive effort by several isolated team leaders, the chase could not bring the two men within its grasp.
“I thought we were going to bring them back,” said Hamilton. “They were just ahead of us on that little descent on the last climb. We almost had them, they were right there. They did a tremendous job. Us three were working and Burke Swindlehurst was working. I wasn’t feeling great, but Sevilla looked good, and Cesar looked good.”
The leaders’ advantage grew back to one minute with 5km remaining, but with Rock chasing the gap hovered near 30 seconds as Lill and Caldwell took it to the line.
“To tell you the truth I thought we were going to get caught at the top of the climb when it was coming down to 20 seconds,” Caldwell said. “It was down to 20 seconds and I thought two little climbers going on the descent, for sure we would be caught pretty quickly. But we hit it over the top, and I guess they let up a little bit, and gave us enough of an advantage to come into the finish.”
Lill was happy to take time on his rivals and show that he is one of the strongest climbers in the race, but was also disappointed that he hadn’t taken the stage win.
Photo: Ben Ross/Action Images
“Ian [McKissick] was in the break with me, doing a great job maintaining the pace while I was trying to save myself for the climb,” Lill said. “It was unfortunate that Ian punctured 5km from the top of the climb. But I was feeling good, and at that stage I decided I needed to commit. I was just praying for good legs. It would have been nice to ride Blake off, but I think he benefited from sitting on, and he had fresher legs after the climb.”
Lill, Hamilton and Louder all pointed to Baldwin as a rider to watch on Saturday’s decisive summit finish atop Snowbird Resort.
“Baldwin looked like he was breathing through his nose out there today,” said Louder, a Salt Lake City native.
Baldwin said he was happy to be riding so well, but was frustrated by the day’s outcome.
“I finally rallied everyone to work together, but it was really too little, too late. We should have all sold out earlier,” Baldwin said. “I regret that decision. I really didn’t want to give one second to a rider like Darren Lill right now. He’s a guy I’ve been marking the last two days. He was one of my favorites going into it. Good for him, two guys doing a ride like that, it was really impressive.
“When they went, I didn’t like it, but you have to look for the silver lining and hope maybe they will burn a lot of matches and we will catch them at the end. When a favorite goes up the road, it can go either way. On one hand you are giving him time, possibly, but on the other hand he I using energy for later in the race. You have to hope for the latter. But today he got time.”
Racing continues Friday with a twilight criterium held in Salt Lake City before Saturday’s decisive 98-mile stage from Park City to Snowbird, featuring 14,778 feet of climbing and a summit finish at Snowbird Ski Resort in Little Cottonwood Canyon.
Photo Gallery
Results
Stage 2 results:
1 (1 – Pro). Blake Caldwell Garmin/chipotle Presented By H3o in 3:30:21
2. Darren Lill Bmc Pro Cycling Team
3 (2 – Pro). Jeff Louder Bmc Pro Cycling Team in 3:30:39
4 (3 – Pro). Christopher Baldwin Toyota-United in 3:30:39
5. Oscar Sevilla Rivera Rock Racing in 3:30:39
6 (4 – Pro). Cesar Grajales Rock Racing in 3:30:39
7. Brent Brookwalter Bmc Pro Cycling Team in 3:30:39
8 (5 – Pro). T Burke Swindlehurst Bissell Pro Cycling Team in 3:30:39
9 (1 – Cat1). Peter Stetina Garmin/chipotle Presented By H3o in 3:30:39
10 (6 – Pro). Tyler Hamilton Rock Racing in 3:30:39
11. Glen Chadwick Team Type 1 in 3:30:39
12 (7 – Pro). Philip Zajicek Team Health Net Presented By Maxxis in 3:30:39
13 (8 – Pro). Jason Donald Garmin/chipotle Presented By H3o in 3:30:59
14 (9 – Pro). Jared Barrilleaux Jittery Joe’s Pro Cycling Team in 3:31:58
15 (10 – Pro). Aaron Olson Bissell Pro Cycling Team in 3:31:58
16 (2 – Cat1). Scott Stewart American R.a.d.d. Presented By Agel in 3:31:58
17 (11 – Pro). Jonathan Garcia Bmc Pro Cycling Team in 3:31:58
18 (3 – Cat1). Kiel Reijnen Rideclean / Patentit.com in 3:31:58
19 (4 – Cat1). Jesse Moore California Giant/ Specialized in 3:31:58
20 (12 – Pro). Justin England Toyota-United in 3:31:58
21 (13 – Pro). Christopher Wherry Toyota-United in 3:31:58
22 (14 – Pro). Anthony Colby The Fan Sports Network in 3:31:58
23 (15 – Pro). Micheal Grabinger Jr Successful Living.com P/b Parkpre in 3:31:58
24. Valeriy Kobzarenko Team Type 1 in 3:31:58
25 (5 – Cat1). Paul Mach Team Bobs-Bicycles.com in 3:31:58
26. Rory Sutherland Team Health Net Presented By Maxxis in 3:31:58
27 (16 – Pro). Thomas Peterson Garmin-Chipotle Presented By H3o in 3:31:58
28 (17 – Pro). Neil Shirley Jittery Joe’s Pro Cycling Team in 3:31:58
29 (18 – Pro). Bradley White Successful Living.com P/b Parkpre in 3:31:58
30 (19 – Pro). Matthew Cooke Team Health Net Presented By Maxxis in 3:31:58
31 (20 – Pro). Tyler Wren The Fan Sports Network in 3:31:58
32. Matt Wilson Team Type 1 in 3:31:58
33 (21 – Pro). Christopher Jones Team Type 1 in 3:35:48
34 (22 – Pro). Andrew Guptill The Fan Sports Network in 3:35:48
35 (6 – Cat1). Erik Slack Team Bobs-Bicycles.com in 3:35:48
36 (7 – Cat1). Mark Santurbane California Giant/ Specialized in 3:35:48
37 (23 – Pro). Benjamin Day Toyota-United in 3:35:48
38 (24 – Pro). Tom Zirbel Bissell Pro Cycling Team in 3:35:48
39 (25 – Pro). Thomas Danielson Garmin/chipotle Presented By H3o in 3:35:48
40 (8 – Cat1). Nicholas Clayville Hagens Berman Llp Cycling Team in 3:35:48
41 (9 – Cat1). Ryan Trebon Rideclean / Patentit.com in 3:35:48
42 (26 – Pro). Matt Shriver Jittery Joe’s Pro Cycling Team in 3:35:48
43 (27 – Pro). Michael Creed Rock Racing in 3:35:48
44 (10 – Cat1). John Hunt California Giant/ Specialized in 3:35:48
45 (11 – Cat1). James Allan Team Bobs-Bicycles.com in 3:38:38
46 (28 – Pro). Edward King Bissell Pro Cycling Team in 3:39:01
47 (29 – Pro). Alessandro Bazzana Successful Living.com P/b Parkpre in 3:39:01
48 (30 – Pro). Scott Tietzel The Fan Sports Network in 3:39:01
49. Heath Blackgrove Toyota-United in 3:39:01
50 (31 – Pro). Omer Kem Bissell Pro Cycling Team in 3:39:01
51 (12 – Cat1). Eric Pardyjak Canyon Bicycles Utah All-Stars in 3:44:36
52 (32 – Pro). Ian McKissick Bmc Pro Cycling Team in 3:44:36
53. Stefano Barberi The Fan Sports Network in 3:44:36
54. Jonnie Clarke Toyota-United in 3:44:36
55 (33 – Pro). William Frischkorn Garmin/chipotle Presented By H3o in 3:44:36
56 (13 – Cat1). Sheldon Deeny The Fan Sports Network in 3:44:36
57. Caleb Manion Toyota-United in 3:44:36
58. Victor Hugo Pena Rock Racing in 3:44:36
59 (34 – Pro). Danny Pate Garmin/chipotle Presented By H3o in 3:47:01
60 (14 – Cat1). Chris Lieto California Giant/ Specialized in 3:47:01
61 (15 – Cat1). Nathan Page Canyon Bicycles Utah All-Stars in 3:47:01
62 (16 – Cat1). Carson Miller Land Rover – Orbea in 3:47:01
63 (35 – Pro). K Frank Pipp Team Health Net Presented By Maxxis in 3:47:01
64 (17 – Cat1). Sam Johnson Hagens Berman Llp Cycling Team in 3:47:01
65 (36 – Pro). Roman Kilun Team Health Net Presented By Maxxis in 3:47:01
66 (37 – Pro). Ricardo Escuela Successful Living.com P/b Parkpre in 3:47:01
67. Jeremy Vennell Bissell Pro Cycling Team in 3:47:01
68 (38 – Pro). Corey Collier Team Health Net Presented By Maxxis in 3:47:01
69 (39 – Pro). Ian MacGregor Team Type 1 in 3:47:01
70 (18 – Cat1). Chris Stuart Team Bobs-Bicycles.com in 3:52:18
71 (19 – Cat1). Luis-Alejandro Zamudio American R.a.d.d. Presented By Agel in 3:52:18
72 (20 – Cat1). Bryson Perry American R.a.d.d. Presented By Agel in 3:52:18
73 (21 – Cat1). David Harward Canyon Bicycles Utah All-Stars in 3:52:18
74 (40 – Pro). Freddie Rodriguez Rock Racing in 3:52:18
75 (22 – Cat1). Osvaldo Olmos California Giant/ Specialized in 3:52:18
76 (23 – Cat1). Todd Hageman Canyon Bicycles Utah All-Stars in 3:52:18
77. Fabio Calabria Team Type 1 in 3:52:18
78 (24 – Cat1). Justin Mayfield Team Bobs-Bicycles.com in 3:52:18
79 (25 – Cat1). James Mattis California Giant/ Specialized in 3:52:18
80. Trent Wilson Jittery Joe’s Pro Cycling Team in 3:52:18
81 (26 – Cat1). Bill Demong American R.a.d.d. Presented By Agel in 3:55:17
82 (27 – Cat1). Cameron Hoffman American R.a.d.d. Presented By Agel in 3:55:17
83 (28 – Cat1). Alexander Rock Canyon Bicycles Utah All-Stars in 3:55:17
84 (29 – Cat1). Adrian Hegyvary Hagens Berman Llp Cycling Team in 3:55:17
85 (30 – Cat1). Jesse Gordon Canyon Bicycles Utah All-Stars in 3:55:17
86 (41 – Pro). Cody O’Reilly Successful Living.com P/b Parkpre in 3:55:17
87 (31 – Cat1). Brian Forbes Rideclean / Patentit.com in 3:55:17
88 (42 – Pro). Benjamin Kneller Jittery Joe’s Pro Cycling Team in 3:55:17
89 (32 – Cat1). Rudolph Napolitano Rock Racing in 3:55:17
90 (33 – Cat1). Joshua Bartlett Land Rover – Orbea in 3:55:17
91 (43 – Pro). Garrett Peltonen Bissell Pro Cycling Team in 3:55:17
92 (34 – Cat1). Jacob MacArthur Hagens Berman Llp Cycling Team in 3:55:17
93 (35 – Cat1). Lang Reynolds Hagens Berman Llp Cycling Team in 3:55:17
94. Ryan ANDERSON Land Rover – Orbea in 3:55:17
95. Ryan Sullivan Jittery Joe’s Pro Cycling Team in 3:55:17
96. Dave VUKETS Land Rover – Orbea in 3:55:17
97. Aaron Tuckerman The Fan Sports Network in 4:00:06
98 (36 – Cat1). Daniel Harm Hagens Berman Llp Cycling Team in 4:00:06
99 (37 – Cat1). Max Jenkins California Giant/ Specialized in 4:00:06
100 (38 – Cat1). Jacob Rubelt Rideclean / Patentit.com in 4:02:07
101 (39 – Cat1). Kyle Colavito Rideclean / Patentit.com in 4:02:11
102 (44 – Pro). Charles Coyle Successful Living.com P/b Parkpre in 4:02:30