Americans Abroad: Boswell helps Thomas win Paris-Nice

Welcome to the latest edition of Americans Abroad, our weekly check-in with the American pros in the European peloton. VeloNews will publish these updates every Monday throughout the season.

Ian Boswell proved his climbing talents during Saturday’s stage 6 at Paris-Nice, when he rode with the front group for much of the final 15-kilometer climb up Madone d’Utelle. The Madone was the last of seven categorized climbs featured in the stage, and it carried an average gradient of around six percent. The young American proved to be a valuable lieutenant for his Sky leader, Geraint Thomas, who took the lead on Saturday and went on to win the eight-day stage race. Boswell said it was important to get to the front on Saturday due to the cancelation of stage 3 up Mont Brouilly — it proved to be a decisive day.

Thomas was able to ride away from Contador near the end and take second on Saturday, behind Katusha’s Ilnur Zakarin. Boswell placed 38th on the day, and was 70th overall after Sunday’s finale in Nice. Boswell recently spent some time training with Sky teammate Chris Froome in South Africa, which the 25-year-old called “an eye-opening experience.” Froome was impressed with Boswell, who traveled to France after the camp for Paris-Nice.

Lawson Craddock (Cannondale)

Craddock also raced Paris-Nice. He finished 16th overall and was the top American finisher, 4:03 behind Thomas.

Griffin Easter (Illuminate)

Easter raced Tour de Taiwan, and he finished 52nd overall.

Tyler Farrar (Dimension Data)

Farrar was the lone American sprinter racing Paris-Nice. His best finish was 63rd in stage 3, and he was 126th overall.

Megan Guarnier (Boels – Dolmans)

Guarnier was among a slew of American women racing the Ronde van Drenthe, the second Women’s WorldTour event. Her teammate Chantal Blaak won the race, with Guarnier taking 35th, 1:49 behind.

Carter Jones (Giant – Alpecin)

Jones is racing Tirreno-Adriatico. He was 148th after Monday’s stage 6. Stage 5 was canceled because of snow, and the race will conclude Tuesday.

Shelley Olds (Cylance)

Olds was the top American finisher at the Ronde van Drenthe, taking sixth. She was in a large group of women who all finished 1:49 behind Blaak.

Taylor Phinney (BMC Racing)

Phinney is currently racing Tirreno-Adriatico. He and his BMC teammates won the opening team time trial, and Greg Van Avermaet won Monday’s stage 6.

Alexis Ryan (Canyon – SRAM)

Ryan raced the Ronde van Drenthe and finished 30th, in the group that crossed the line 1:49 back.

Carmen Small (Cervelo – Bigla)

Small also raced the Ronde van Drenthe. She was the second American across the line, finishing 17th.

Andrew Talansky (Cannondale)

Talansky started Paris-Nice and was 102nd overall before a crash in stage 5 forced him to abandon.

Tibco – SVB

Lauren Stephens was the lone American finisher for Tibco at Ronde van Drenthe, 27th place. Her teammates, Lauren Komanski, Brianna Walle, and Lauren Hall did not finish.

UnitedHealthcare

The American Pro Continental team sent three Americans to Tour de Taiwan. Danny Summerhill, Adrian Hegyvary, and Daniel Eaton finished 49th, 80th, and 45th overall, respectively.

Tejay van Garderen (BMC Racing)

After BMC’s TTT win, Van Garderen was well positioned in Tirreno-Adriatico’s overall standings, but with Sunday’s cancellation, it all comes down to Tuesday’s 10km individual time trial. Currently, he is 26th on GC.

Tayler Wiles (Orica – AIS)

Wiles finished 66th at Ronde van Drenthe, also 1:49 behind Blaak.