Louder wins Tour of Utah in final stage

It’s said that racing in the yellow jersey gives a rider wings. It’s also said that there’s no motivation like racing in front of friends and family.

Both notions proved true Sunday during the final stage of the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah, in which Utah native Jeff Louder of BMC Racing overcame a seven-second deficit to Garmin-Chipotle’s Blake Caldwell to take the overall victory by eight seconds.

Both riders put in exceptional performances on the 7.5-mile course at the Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, 45 minutes southwest of Salt Lake City. It was a hot, dry stage, won by Bissell’s Tom Zirbel. Louder finished third, 15 seconds behind Zirbel and 16 seconds ahead of Caldwell, who finished 14th.

Team Type 1’s Glen Chadwick finished eighth to clinch his third place overall.

The final stage took place on a flat, serpentine, out-and-back course using half of the track. Originally a 12.5-mile course, it was shortened when organizers proved unable to get full road closures required under National Racing Calendar rules.

The relatively short distance meant the battle for overall victory would be tight, with the advantage leaning towards Louder, who finished second to Levi Leipheimer at the Cascade Cycling Classic time trial in July.

If Louder was stressed before the start, it didn’t show as he relaxed outside the BMC team truck with his mother, his wife, Soorya, and his 1-year-old daughter Milana.

“Blake is going on another level,” said Louder, a friendly and well-liked veteran of the domestic peloton. “The course is flat, and all the drags are into a headwind. It’s a fast course. I can’t say I have worked on my time trialing this year, but I am time trialing well. But I’m not taking anything for granted. About one minute after me, we’ll know.”

Zirbel turned a 13:50, a time that defied the next 29 riders. BMC’s Brent Bookwalter was the only other rider to finish under 14 minutes, at 13:59.

Zirbel said his first priority this week was to watch out for teammate Burke Swindlehurst, who finished fourth overall. Once he’d gotten Swindlehurst to the base of the Snowbird climb on Saturday, he sat up with Sunday’s time trial in mind.

“Today’s was a goal from the beginning of the week, but it was plan B,” Zirbel said. “It wasn’t a primary goal.”

“I liked the technical element, you definitely had to be attentive,” Zirbel said. “We tend to keep our heads down to be more aerodynamic, but if a turn sneaks up on you, you can miss it. I almost went off the road in one of the turns.”Zirbel added that his stage win almost ended in disaster when he overcooked one of several hairpin turns.

When Louder crossed the line with a 14:05, race announcer Dave Towle declared that he’d won the Tour of Utah. And Towle’s pronouncement proved correct as Caldwell passed the 14-minute mark with roughly 250 meters to go.

“The course was really fast and a touch windy,” Louder said. “There wasn’t much time for thinking, I just knew I had to go for broke. This has been such a team effort from the staff and management down to the riders, I just wanted to do what I could to repay everyone for all the hard work that they put in.”Photo: © Ben Ross

It was Louder’s first NRC stage race victory, and it came in front of his hometown crowd.

“I’ve come close to winning NRC races in the past few years, and this is finally sinking in,” Louder said. “To be able to outright win a race like this, in my hometown, and my dad is in the follow car with [BMC team director Gavin Chilcott] and my wife and baby are here. … You don’t get this opportunity very often, this might be the only time, and I’m just going to relish it.”

As for Caldwell, who finished sixth overall in the Cascade Classic, he said he had put in a lot of training since then and had just been waiting for it to pay off.

“I had high hopes for myself, but this is beyond my expectations,” he added. “This was the best I’ve ever ridden, and it’s a good feeling to come out of this race with that.”

Race notes

• The Tour of Utah proved Bookwalter’s best performance since he broke his femur in April 2007. The 2006 under-23 national time trial champion finished fifth overall and was a critical component in Louder’s victory. “I’ve had a lot of good momentum coming into this last stage throughout the week,” Bookwalter said. “Yesterday on the final climb was the first time in almost 15 months that I’ve really been able to open it up and give it full gas. I finally felt like myself, and I could actually dig deep and pull something special out.”

• Other overall jersey competition winners were Garmin-Chipotle’s Peter Stetina (best young rider), Successful Living’s Brad White (points) and Chadwick (King of the Mountains.)

• If BMC took top honors with one stage win, the team classification and the overall victory, Garmin had the next-best week with two stage wins, four days in the yellow jersey and Stetina’s best young rider’s jersey.

Stage 5 results (Click for GC)

1. Tom Zirbel, Bissell Pro Cycling Team in 13:50.0
2. Brent Bookwalter, Bmc Pro Cycling Team in 13:59.3
3. Jeffry Louder, Bmc Pro Cycling Team in 14:05.7
4. Thomas Danielson, Garmin/chipotle Presented By H3o in 14:11.6
5. Ian Mckissick, Bmc Pro Cycling Team in 14:12.3
6. Chris Wherry, Toyota-United in 0:14:13
7. Oscar Sevilla Rivera, Rock Racing in 14:14.0
8. Glen Chadwick, Team Type 1 in 14:17.3
9. Peter Stetina*, Garmin/chipotle Presented By H3o in 14:17.8
10. Burke Swindlehurst, Bissell Pro Cycling Team in 14:18.8
11. Jason Donald, Garmin/chipotle Presented By H3o in 14:19.4
12. Ben Day, Toyota-United in 14:19.6
13. Justin England, Toyota-United in 14:20.2
14. Blake Caldwell, Garmin/chipotle Presented By H3o in 14:21.8
15. Chris Baldwin, Toyota-United in 14:22.2
16. Valeriy Kobzarenko, Team Type 1 in 14:24.0
17. Tyler Hamilton, Rock Racing in 14:27.1
18. Phil Zajicek, Team Health Net Presented By Maxxis in 14:27.9
19. Chris Lieto, California Giant/ Specialized in 14:30.0
20. Michael Creed, Rock Racing in 14:31.7
21. Tom Peterson*, Garmin-Chipotle Presented By H3o in 14:31.9
22. Roman Kilun, Team Health Net Presented By Maxxis in 14:32.8
23. Jeremy Vennell, Bissell Pro Cycling Team in 14:34.3
24. Cesar Grajales, Rock Racing in 14:35.6
25. Mark Santurbane, California Giant/ Specialized in 14:37.0
26. Bradley White, Successful Living.com P/b Parkpre in 14:38.2
27. Ben Kneller, Jittery Joe’s Pro Cycling Team in 14:40.1
28. Paul Mach, Team Bobs-Bicycles.com in 14:40.7
29. Jonnie Clarke, Toyota-United in 14:41.6
30. Corey Collier, Team Health Net Presented By Maxxis in 14:43.5
31. Heath Blackgrove, Toyota-United in 14:45.8
32. Anthony Colby, The Fan Sports Network in 14:47.1
33. Ricardo Escuela, Successful Living.com P/b Parkpre in 14:52.5
34. Jared Barrilleaux, Jittery Joe’s Pro Cycling Team in 14:52.9
35. Rory Sutherland, Team Health Net Presented By Maxxis in 14:53.2
36. Matt Shriver, Jittery Joe’s Pro Cycling Team in 14:57.5
37. Stefano Barberi, The Fan Sports Network in 14:57.9
38. Cody O’reilly, Successful Living.com P/b Parkpre in 14:58.2
39. Tyler Wren, The Fan Sports Network in 14:58.3
40. Matt Wilson, Team Type 1 in 14:58.5
41. John Hunt, California Giant/ Specialized in 15:03.8
42. Bryson Perry#, American R.a.d.d. Presented By Agel in 15:07.7
43. Michael Grabinger, Successful Living.com P/b Parkpre in 15:09.3
44. Calvin Allan, Team Bobs-Bicycles.com in 15:09.8
45. Sam Johnson, Hagens Berman Llp Cycling Team in 15:10.2
46. Jesse Moore, California Giant/ Specialized in 15:11.2
47. Justin Mayfield, Team Bobs-Bicycles.com in 15:11.4
48. Frank Pipp, Team Health Net Presented By Maxxis in 15:11.9
49. Darren Lill, Bmc Pro Cycling Team in 15:12.6
50. Max Jenkins*, California Giant/ Specialized in 15:14.2
51. Nate Page#, Canyon Bicycles Utah All-Stars in 15:14.4
52. Scott Tietzel, The Fan Sports Network in 15:16.7
53. Victor Hugo Pena, Rock Racing in 15:17.8
54. Carson Miller*, Land Rover – Orbea in 15:19.2
55. James Mattis, California Giant/ Specialized in 15:19.8
56. Matt Cooke, Team Health Net Presented By Maxxis in 15:20.8
57. Jake Macarthur*, Hagens Berman Llp Cycling Team in 15:22.7
58. Billy Demong#, American R.a.d.d. Presented By Agel in 15:22.9
59. Omer Kem, Bissell Pro Cycling Team in 15:24.3
60. Alessandro Bazzana, Successful Living.com P/b Parkpre in 15:26.4
61. Osvaldo Olmos, California Giant/ Specialized in 15:27.4
62. Scott Stewart*, American R.a.d.d. Presented By Agel in 15:28.8
63. Rudolph Napolitano, Rock Racing in 15:29.8
64. Jacob Rubelt, Rideclean / Patentit.com in 15:32.5
65. Eric Pardyjak#, Canyon Bicycles Utah All-Stars in 15:35.4
66. David Harward#, Canyon Bicycles Utah All-Stars in 15:36.0
67. Luis Alejandro Zamudio*, American R.a.d.d. Presented By Agel in 15:36.1
68. Erik Slack*, Team Bobs-Bicycles.com in 15:36.1
69. Christopher Jones, Team Type 1 in 15:39.3
70. Todd Hageman#, Canyon Bicycles Utah All-Stars in 15:50.6
71. Jesse Gordon#, Canyon Bicycles Utah All-Stars in 15:51.6
72. Ian Macgregor, Team Type 1 in 15:53.2
73. Jonathan Garcia, Bmc Pro Cycling Team in 15:53.7
74. Lang Reynolds, Hagens Berman Llp Cycling Team in 15:54.9
75. Joshua Bartlett, Land Rover – Orbea in 15:59.0
76. Neil Shirley, Jittery Joe’s Pro Cycling Team in 16:06.1
77. Kyle Colavito, Rideclean / Patentit.com in 16:07.1
78. Andy Guptill, The Fan Sports Network in 16:08.9
79. Trent Wilson, Jittery Joe’s Pro Cycling Team in 16:09.4
80. Dave Vukets*, Land Rover – Orbea in 16:15.4
81. Kiel Reijnen*, Rideclean / Patentit.com in 0:16:55
82. Chris Stuart, Team Bobs-Bicycles.com in 17:12.4
83. Ryan Sullivan, Jittery Joe’s Pro Cycling Team in 17:17.3
84. Aaron Tuckerman, The Fan Sports Network in 18:48.9
DidNotStart. Edward King, Bissell Pro Cycling Team in 0:00:00
Penalty. Jonathan Garcia, Bmc Pro Cycling Team in 0:00:01
Penalty. Tyler Hamilton, Rock Racing in 0:00:01
Penalty. Matt Cooke, Team Health Net Presented By Maxxis in 0:00:01

Final GC:

(Click for stage results)

1. Jeff Louder, BMC Pro Cycling Team in 10:57.70
2. Blake Caldwell, Garmin/Chipotle Presented By H3o in 11:06.80
3. Glen Chadwick, Team Type 1 in 11:44.30
4. Burke Swindlehurst, Bissell Pro Cycling Team in 12:10.70
5. Brent Bookwalter, Bmc Pro Cycling Team in 12:19.30
6. Chris Baldwin, Toyota-United in 12:29.20
7. Oscar Sevilla Rivera, Rock Racing in 13:01.00
8. Peter Stetina*, Garmin/chipotle Presented By H3o in 13:32.80
9. Darren Lill, Bmc Pro Cycling Team in 14:05.60
10. Phil Zajicek, Team Health Net Presented By Maxxis in 14:28.90
11. Valeriy Kobzarenko, Team Type 1 in 16:05.00
12. Anthony Colby, The Fan Sports Network in 16:09.10
13. Cesar Grajales, Rock Racing in 16:18.60
14. Jason Donald, Garmin/chipotle Presented By H3o in 17:31.40
15. Matt Wilson, Team Type 1 in 17:35.50
16. Tom Peterson*, Garmin-Chipotle Presented By H3o in 17:37.90
17. Jonathan Garcia, Bmc Pro Cycling Team in 17:52.70
18. Bradley White, Successful Living.com P/b Parkpre in 19:31.20
19. Thomas Danielson, Garmin/chipotle Presented By H3o in 20:43.60
20. Justin England, Toyota-United in 21:22.20
21. Jared Barrilleaux, Jittery Joe’s Pro Cycling Team in 21:55.90
22. Tyler Wren, The Fan Sports Network in 22:01.30
23. Rory Sutherland, Team Health Net Presented By Maxxis in 22:16.20
24. Tyler Hamilton, Rock Racing in 23:31.10
25. Paul Mach, Team Bobs-Bicycles.com in 25:50.70
26. Scott Stewart*, American R.a.d.d. Presented By Agel in 25:57.80
27. Chris Wherry, Toyota-United in 01:26:09PM
28. Tom Zirbel, Bissell Pro Cycling Team in 27:59.00
29. Michael Grabinger, Successful Living.com P/b Parkpre in 28:01.30
30. Mark Santurbane, California Giant/ Specialized in 28:46.00
31. Ian Mckissick, Bmc Pro Cycling Team in 30:18.30
32. Matt Cooke, Team Health Net Presented By Maxxis in 31:40.80
33. Ben Day, Toyota-United in 31:50.60
34. Erik Slack*, Team Bobs-Bicycles.com in 33:28.20
35. Heath Blackgrove, Toyota-United in 33:44.80
36. Kiel Reijnen*, Rideclean / Patentit.com in 01:34:16PM
37. Michael Creed, Rock Racing in 34:40.70
38. Ian Macgregor, Team Type 1 in 34:54.30
39. Matt Shriver, Jittery Joe’s Pro Cycling Team in 36:08.50
40. Christopher Jones, Team Type 1 in 36:50.30
41. John Hunt, California Giant/ Specialized in 39:12.80
42. Andy Guptill, The Fan Sports Network in 39:30.90
43. Scott Tietzel, The Fan Sports Network in 39:40.70
44. Omer Kem, Bissell Pro Cycling Team in 40:18.30
45. Jesse Moore, California Giant/ Specialized in 40:23.20
46. Neil Shirley, Jittery Joe’s Pro Cycling Team in 41:26.10
47. Corey Collier, Team Health Net Presented By Maxxis in 42:02.50
48. Nate Page#, Canyon Bicycles Utah All-Stars in 43:56.40
49. Jonnie Clarke, Toyota-United in 44:36.60
50. Victor Hugo Pena, Rock Racing in 45:16.80
51. Max Jenkins*, California Giant/ Specialized in 46:45.20
52. Calvin Allan, Team Bobs-Bicycles.com in 48:05.80
53. Chris Lieto, California Giant/ Specialized in 48:22.00
54. Alessandro Bazzana, Successful Living.com P/b Parkpre in 48:48.40
55. James Mattis, California Giant/ Specialized in 49:17.80
56. Stefano Barberi, The Fan Sports Network in 49:29.90
57. Carson Miller*, Land Rover – Orbea in 52:39.20
58. Dave Vukets*, Land Rover – Orbea in 53:23.40
59. Roman Kilun, Team Health Net Presented By Maxxis in 53:45.80
60. Ricardo Escuela, Successful Living.com P/b Parkpre in 57:28.50
61. Frank Pipp, Team Health Net Presented By Maxxis in 58:52.90
62. Eric Pardyjak#, Canyon Bicycles Utah All-Stars in 58:57.40
63. Jeremy Vennell, Bissell Pro Cycling Team in 59:42.30
64. Luis Alejandro Zamudio*, American R.a.d.d. Presented By Agel in 00:38.10
65. David Harward#, Canyon Bicycles Utah All-Stars in 00:58.00
66. Ben Kneller, Jittery Joe’s Pro Cycling Team in 02:09.10
67. Bryson Perry#, American R.a.d.d. Presented By Agel in 02:25.70
68. Todd Hageman#, Canyon Bicycles Utah All-Stars in 02:39.60
69. Cody O’reilly, Successful Living.com P/b Parkpre in 03:56.20
70. Chris Stuart, Team Bobs-Bicycles.com in 05:52.40
71. Joshua Bartlett, Land Rover – Orbea in 06:48.10
72. Rudolph Napolitano, Rock Racing in 06:48.80
73. Sam Johnson, Hagens Berman Llp Cycling Team in 06:53.20
74. Billy Demong#, American R.a.d.d. Presented By Agel in 07:58.90
75. Osvaldo Olmos, California Giant/ Specialized in 08:30.40
76. Trent Wilson, Jittery Joe’s Pro Cycling Team in 08:31.40
77. Justin Mayfield, Team Bobs-Bicycles.com in 11:35.40
78. Jake Macarthur*, Hagens Berman Llp Cycling Team in 11:53.70
79. Lang Reynolds, Hagens Berman Llp Cycling Team in 12:50.90
80. Ryan Sullivan, Jittery Joe’s Pro Cycling Team in 16:13.30
81. Jesse Gordon#, Canyon Bicycles Utah All-Stars in 17:42.60
82. Kyle Colavito, Rideclean / Patentit.com in 18:51.10
83. Aaron Tuckerman, The Fan Sports Network in 21:16.90
84. Jacob Rubelt, Rideclean / Patentit.com in 25:58.50
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