The USA Pro Cycling Challenge, a perfect race for the home crowd
The USA Pro Cycling Challenge is one of the biggest cycling races across America and it receives massive support from American Cycling authorities and the spectators.
The USA Pro Cycling Challenge 2012 concluded earlier as Christian Vande Velde was declared an overall winner of the race after he managed to complete the race in a total time of 25 hours, 57 minutes and 34 seconds.
An American winner was what the home crowd really wanted but their joy was doubled when Tejay Van Garderen and Levi Leipheimer occupied the second and the third podium spot.
Tejay finished 21 seconds behind Vande whereas Leipheimer fell further three seconds behind at the third spot.
The three Americans fought for the ultimate glory and it was Team BMC cyclist who managed to secure the top overall position.
Levi Leipheimer of Team Omega Pharma-Quickstep was leading the stage 6 classifications with a gap of 9 seconds on Christian Vande Velde.
The 36-year-old showed tremendous legs in the final stage and finished at the second spot falling ten seconds short of Taylor Phinney.
Levi finished further 43 seconds behind at the 9th spot which cost him the overall victory at the USA Pro Cycling Challenge 2012.
"I actually felt really good, my legs were good," said Leipheimer.
"I did sort of drop my chain at one corner and had a moment of panic because I thought it totally came off and jammed but it miraculously fell back on”.
“So I don't really thought I lost much time there”.
"I got down to a really good climbing weight, but I think when it comes to 15k flat-out on rough city streets with a lot of corners”.
“I just don't have it compared to going up Flagstaff. It is what it is, I'm a little bit disappointed, but I'm still proud to stand on the podium and proud to have given it my all".
Top five finishers after the final general classifications at the USA Pro Cycling is as below,
1
Christian Vande Velde (USA) Garmin - Sharp
25:57:34
2
Tejay van Garderen (USA) BMC Racing Team
0:00:21
3
Levi Leipheimer (USA) Omega Pharma-Quickstep
0:00:24
4
Andreas Klöden (Ger) RadioShack-Nissan
0:01:08
5
Janez Brajkovic (Slo) Astana Pro Team
0:01:14
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