COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — Patrick Gretsch of Germany is the leader after the opening day of the inaugural USA Pro Cycling Challenge.
The 24-year-old Gretsch, a time trial specialist who rides for the California- based HTC-Highroad team, completed Monday’s 5.2-mile prologue in 8 minutes, and 27.5 seconds. He will wear the race leader’s jersey Tuesday in the 99.3-mile Salida to Mt. Crested Butte stage 1 road race.
Christian Vande Velde of Lemont, Ill., a two-time Tour de France top-10 finisher who competes for Garmin-Cervelo, trailed Gretsch by 1.71 seconds in the field of 130 riders from 17 teams.
Brent Bookwalter of Albuquerque, N.M., was third, trailing the winner by 3.81 seconds.
Reigning Tour de France champion Cadel Evans (BMC) of Australia placed ninth, about eight seconds behind the winner.
