Levi Leipheimer wins the Tour of Utah
The final stage of the Tour of Utah, stage five was one of the most grueling days of the race. This day riders covered 102.5 miles of road. The stage had 3 climbs equaling over 11,000 feet of climbing. After the Stage Four punishing crit, nearly three dozen riders had pulled out of the Tour of Utah.
Stage Five began in Park City at the Newpark Resort and ended at Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort. The stage featured two sprint sections and three king of the mountain points. The stage ended with a mountain top finish.
Immediately after the start, which did not include a neural zone, a group of 14 riders made a break. The pace was high, around 32 mph, which caused the peloton to stretch out. Included in this break were Trek-LiveStrong riders Taylor Phinney, Ben King, and Alex Dowsett. Other contenders in this group Max Jenkins (United), Darren Rolfe (Fly-V) and David Tanner (Fly-V). This breakaway group managed to stay in front of the peloton for the rest of the day.
The sprinters jersey was on the line today, with Taylor Phinney only one point behind current leader, David Tanner (Fly-V). Tanner, Jeff Louder (BMC) and Phinney all were in this initial breakaway, ensuring that the sprint sections during the Queen Stage would be thrilling.
Tanner managed to win the first set of sprint points, followed by Phinney and Alex Dowsett. Throughout the course, the riders faced tough headwinds. Phinney managed to take the second set of sprint points followed by Tanner. Tanner’s second place ensured that he would win the sprinters jersey by 1 point over Phinney.
Over the next 7 miles, the riders climbed 2,700 feet in elevation. At this point, Levi Leipheimer was at the front of the peloton, which was behind by approximately 1 minute.
As the riders went up the first climb, the breakaway group began to split apart. Alex Dowsett attempted to make a break, but unfortunately the breakaway group quickly organized and dropped him. Later on in the day, Dowsett ended up dropping out of the race.
Over the mountain, Jai Crawford (Fly-V), Rolfe and Marc De Maar (United) took the points. The breakaway managed to extend its gap on the peloton to approximately 1:40. Over the first climb, it appeared that Leipheimer and 2009 Tour of Utah winner Mancebo were conserving themselves for a late break.
Over the second climb of the day, Crawford managed to take the next set of king of the mountain points, which sealed the KOM jersey for him. De Maar took second and Ben King third.
Starting up the final climb, Crawford attacked. The field, which included Levi, Darren Lill (Fly-V) and Francisco Mancebo (Canyon), was 2 minutes behind with 5 kilometers to go until the finish.
At this moment Levi planned his attack and along with Mancebo began to gain on the breakaway group. With 3 kilometer to go, Levi ended up dropping Mancebo and Lill was nowhere to be seen.
Levi continued to gain climbing the nearly 3,500 feet elevation into Snowbird. With 1 kilometer to go, Levi and Crawford were neck and neck. Crawford went on to win the stage but with his solid performance today, Levi was able to hold onto the leader’s jersey to win the Tour of Utah. A very impressive feat considering he did not have a team riding support for him!
Stage Five Results
1. Jai CRAWFORD V Australia 4.27′10″
2. Levi LEIPHEIMER Mellow Johnny’s +00.00.00
3. Francisco MANCEBO Canyon Bicycles +00.00.01
4. Alex HAGMAN On The Rivet OTR +00.00.01
5. Jonathan MCCARTY Team Rio Grande +00.00.01
6. Benjamin KING Trek-LIVESTRONG +00.00.01
Trek-LiveStrong Rider Stage 5
2. Levi Leipheimer +00.00.00
6. Ben King +00.00.01
17. Tim Roe +00.03.45
24. Joe Dombrowski +00.07.21
62. Taylor Phinney +00.26.43
64. Julian Kyer +00.29.10
General Classification
1. Levi LEIPHEIMER Mellow Johnny’s 12.39′40″
2. Francisco MANCEBO Canyon Bicycles +00.02.30
3. Ian BOSWELL BISSELL +00.03.56
4. Jai CRAWFORD V Australia +00.03.58
5. Darren LILL V Australia +00.04.32
Trek-LiveStrong General Classification
11. Tim Roe +00.07.08
21. Ben King +00.15.19
27. Joe Dombrowski +00.21.14
55. Julian Kyer +00.48.43
65. Taylor Phinney +01.04.05
DNF Alex Dowsett
By Fitzalan Gorman, staff writer
Photo by Everardo Keeme Photography
