2011 UPCC Prologue

The first prologue in the first USA Pro Cycling Challenge was won by German rider, Patrick Gretsch in 8 minutes, 27 seconds.  The average speed was 58k per hour.

Patrick Gretsch
Patrick Gretsch

Fans lined the route and took off from work to watch the race.

Second was Christian Vandevelde and third was Brent Bookwalter.  All three started early in the race.

Vandevelde
Vandevelde
Bookwalter
Bookwalter

Vandevelde was 02 seconds behind and Bookwalter was 04 seconds behind.

Top three: Vandevelde, Gretsch and Bookwalter
Top three: Vandevelde, Gretsch and Bookwalter

Gretsch says he’s already feeling the altitude even though he’s been in the US two weeks, including the Tour of Utah. The race hasn’t hit the mountains yet.

Tomorrow will be Salida to Crested Butte over Monarch Pass.  That is a gentle climb that will give riders their first taste of some altitude.