The 2010 Tour of the Gila kicked off today, and it was 2009 defending champion Levi Leipheimer of the Mellow Johnnys team that took honors on the 151.5 kilometer first stage. Leipheimer was the fastest up the 2000 meter finishing climb in Mogollon leaving DZNuts hanging behind in the form of Tom Danielson. Cesar Grajales (OUCH-Bahati Foundation) finished in third.
“Compared to last year it seemed more competitive," explained Leipheimer after the stage. “Dave Zabriskie, Tom Danielson and the others were all going well. The beginning of the stage wasn't bad but the winds picked up and made the race quite a bit harder. This may be ‘only’ a race on the national calendar, but this victory proves that I've worked hard in the last weeks. I am on schedule for my first goal of the season, the Tour of California. After a useful break, it is always good to measure yourself against other riders. It is also good to get out there and into the routine of racing.”
Runner up Danielson was happy with the way DZNuts performed in the event: "2nd today to Levi. The team was awesome!"
The race set off from Silver City, Nevada without the predicted high winds which gave the peloton an easier ride. Within the first hour of racing a break formed that included Alex Dowsett and Benjamin King(Trek Livestrong), Andrew Dahlheim (Metro Volkswagen Cycling Team), Victor Riquelme (TriSports Cycling/Eclipse Racing), Marsh Cooper (Trek/Red Truck Racing), Carson Miller, Walker Savidge (Holowesko Partners Cycling Team), Jonathan Garcia (Team Rio Grande) and Cody O'Reilly (Bissell). The peloton let the gap swell to almost 10 minutes before UnitedHealthCare began the chase.
Leipheimer's Mellow Johnnys teammate Lance Armstrong thinks the Californian is up for defending his title tweeting: "Good first stage of @tourofthegila. Congrats to @LeviLeipheimer on the stage win. Homeboy looks fit."
Tomorrow's 128.8 kilometer stage will begin and end in Fort Bayard and features three category three climbs.
2010 Tour of the Gila stage 1 result:
1. Levi Leipheimer (Mellow Johnny's)
2. Tom Danielson (DZNuts) @ 10s
3. Cesar Grajales (OUCH-Bahati Foundation) @ 16s
4. Phillip Zajicek (Fly V Australia) @ s.t.
5. Andrew Talansky (California Giant/Specialized) @ 38s
6. David Zabriskie (DZNuts) @ 41s
7. Luis Amaran (Jamis Sutter Home p/b Colavita) s.t.
8. Alex Hagman (OUCH-Bahati Foundation) s.t.
9. Chris Baldwin (UnitedHealthcare) @ 47s
10. Jai Crawford (Fly V Australia) @ 50s
Selected:
22. Lance Armstrong @ 1:46
Race info courtesy of PodiumInsight