USA Pro Challenge: Breakaways — sometimes they don’t work
Steamboat Springs — The geography leading into Steamboat Springs — especially that which Stage 1 will cross — mean a breakaway group is almost sure to get caught.
It doesn’t mean a group or a rider can’t keep things exciting, however.
That’s what happened in Steamboat the last time the Pro Challenge came to town, when 41-year old German rider came oh-so-close to shocking the city and holding off the peloton.
Voigt built a huge fan base in his career by launching on just such gutty breakaway attempts. That day he did it again, with a group of four other riders. Whether by necessity or strategy, they all eventually dropped off and Voigt was all alone as he charged up the east side of Rabbit Ears Pass, and still alone as he swooped down the west side, crouching low behind his handlebars to maximize every possible efficiency.
The power of the peloton proved too much, however, and he was caught just past the Mount Werner Drive on-ramp on U.S. Highway 40, 1.5 miles from the finish line, much to the dismay of waiting fans, but to the relief of hard-charging teams quickly setting up their sprinters.
“It didn’t work,” he said, “but at least I gave it a go.”
Support Local Journalism
Support Local Journalism
Readers around Steamboat and Routt County make the Steamboat Pilot & Today’s work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.
Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.
Each donation will be used exclusively for the development and creation of increased news coverage.