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Saturday, August 27, 2011

Viviani Steams Into the Boat



Of six road stages, just two at the USA Pro Cycling Challenge were easy bets to end in a sprint finish. And while the race is hilly enough that it doesn’t many top sprinters, those that did come were motivated to make the most of their chances.

 

After a rolling day that was harder than it looked on paper, Liquigas-Cannondale’s young talent Elia Viviani was fastest of the fast men, taking a flying downhill sprint into Steamboat Springs in front of Michael Morkov (Saxo Bank-Sungard) and Skil-Shimano’s Kenny van Hummel in third.

 

Viviani benefitted from a day of work by his team, including turns by two-time Giro d’Italia winner Ivan Basso, and a textbook leadout from fellow sprinter Daniel Oss. Just past the line, the ecstatic Viviani proclaimed it an “important win” for the team, and himself.

 

“I’m very, very happy with this win because this is an important race for the team,” he said between gasps. “Since we’re out of the GC race, the team set up the sprint for me. Today the whole team was fantastic. Basso, (Timmy) Duggan, (Ted) King, all were working in the sprint.”

 

For Viviani, just 22 years old and in his second pro season, it was another signal of a young sprinter on the rise—one he hopes his Italian national team selectors consider when selecting the squad for the World Championships.

 

The day began with an expected early break, as Team Type 1 went on the offensive with Gobernacion de Antioquia. The five-rider move lasted much of the day over terrain that the French would call “casse-patts” or leg-breakers.

 

But the sprinters wanted it too much and swept up the move on the outskirts of town. Massive crowds awaited the bunch sprint eagerly. “This was by far our biggest crowd,” said race Chairman Shawn Hunter. “There’s a reason that Steamboat got a start and a finish.”

 

RadioShack’s Levi Leipheimer benefited from Liquigas’ motivation to stay in the race lead. “It was mission accomplished today,” he said. “We held on to the jersey and there was as little work as possible for my teammates.”

 

Tomorrow’s Stage 5 may be a bit harder. With a climb over Rabbit Ears Pass greeting riders right out of Steamboat, another break is almost assured on the 105.8-mile ride from Steamboat to Breckenridge. Then there’s a tricky KOM and descent at Swan Mountain just six miles from the finish that will require attentive riding.

 

 

 

Stage Results

 

1. VIVIANI E. LIQ ITA

 

2. MORKOV M. SBS

 

3. VAN HUMMEL K. SKS

 

4. FÖRSTER R. UHC

 

5. VAN WINDEN D. RAB

 

6. CASTANEDA J. EPM

 

7. SUMMERHILL D. GRM

 

8. EFIMKIN A. TT1

 

9. HINCAPIE G. BMC

 

10. RODRIGUEZ F. XRG

 

Overall Standings

 

1. LEIPHEIMER L. RSH

 

2. VANDE VELDE C. 0:11 GRM

 

3. VAN GARDEREN T. 0:17 THR

 

4. DANIELSON T. 0:21 GRM

 

5. HINCAPIE G. 0:53 BMC

 

6. INFANTIO R. 1:14 EPM

 

7. EVAN C. 1:18 BMC

 

8. CLEMENT S. 1:42 RAB

 

9. PIERS B. 1:49 LEO

 

10. SUTHERLAND R. 1:50 UHC

 

 

 

Source: Bicycling Magazine

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