USA Pro Cycling Challenge Underway

No, I haven't forgotten that the USA Pro Cycling Challenge is currently going on in Colorado, it has just been a busy week at Adventure Blog world headquarters and I haven't had a chance to really mention the race yet. It has been a spirited couple of days to say the least with the riders battling each other out on the course while struggling to adapt to the altitude, which is a hallmark of the event, which has become the premiere bike race in North America.

Heading into today's third stage Lachlan Morton of Team Garmin-Sharp is the current leader. He holds down a two second lead over Mathias Frank of BMC and an 11 second lead over Peter Sagan of Cannondale. Sagan sprinted to a victory in Stage 1 while Frank rode to a solo victory in yesterday's second stage.

The third stage of the race will take place today with a 170 km (105 mile) ride from Breckenridge to Steamboat Sprigs. It features a long tough climb up Rabbit Ears Pass but it will mostly be a fast and furious down hill affair with the sprint teams looking for a victory at the end of the day. This is one of the few stages that actually drops in elevation as the riders go on.

Morton isn't just in the Yellow Jersey of the overall leader but he is currently at the top of the Best Young Rider category as well. Sagan leads the points category that traditionally goes to the top sprinter, while the King of the Mountain Jersey is currently on the back of American Matt Cooke who rides for Team Jamis/Hagens Berman presented by Sutter Home (How's that for a mouthful?). Team BMC leads the way in the team competition.

There are five more stages to go, including today's Stage 3. The race will wrap up on Sunday with a fast 116 km (72  mile) flat finale on the streets of Denver that will favor the sprinters.