Aspen, Colo. – The opening chapter of the 2013 USA Pro Cycling Challenge got off to an explosive start with a 66-mile circuit race that took the field from Aspen to Snowmass and back and packed in 3,080 feet of climbing per lap. UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team’s Kiel Reijnen powered his way to a 3rdplace finish behind stage winner Peter Sagan of Cannondale and runner-up Greg Van Avermaet of the BMC Racing Team. The three riders also hold the first through third positions, respectively, in the General Classification after one stage. Reijnen’s teammate, Lucas Euser, finished in 8th place and currently occupies the same spot overall.

Immediately following the sprint finish, Reijnen told Bicycling’s Frankie Andreu, “The team was amazing. Lucas gave me a great lead out. I couldn’t feel my legs the second half of that lap. It was just pure adrenaline and I think it was that way for a lot of guys out there. I wish I had the power to kick with those guys (Sagan and Van Avermaet) at the end, but those guys are a bit bigger than I am, but I’m happy to finish on the podium.”

In a Sunday, August 18th interview with KUSA-TV 9News’ Susie Wargin, Reijnen previewed each stage of this year’s USA Pro Challenge with the Denver-based reporter. Following Stage 1, Wargin caught up with Reijnen and reminded him that he told her he expected to “do good things in this race.”

Wargin asked Reijnen after the podium presentation if the stage was what he thought it would be in terms of the laps and the circuit.

Reijnen responded, “It was going to be a really tough day no matter what. I think a lot of guys suffered at altitude and with the heat. I know I did and I live at altitude. I think it is always disappointing to not win, but given the caliber of racers here and how that finish went, I know the faster guys won. I was happy to get on the podium though and finish what the team started today. It was great to pay my teammates back for all the work they did.”

Euser added, “Today provided a great chance for us to seize an opportunity and go with it. When BMC’s lead ran out with 500 meters left and I knew Kiel was right behind, we knew it was our best chance for a podium finish. I led Kiel out and he went for it. We stuck our necks out and it worked! We’re really proud of Kiel’s finish. It is cycling at its best!”

General Manager and Team Director, Mike Tamayo, stated, “We knew Kiel was our guy today. He has spent a lot of time at high altitude preparing for this. We told the boys to hit it with everything they had once they hit the last corner. Lucas nailed that final corner and from there, it was up to Kiel. And he delivered. Anytime you are sprinting against Sagan and come in 3rd, that’s not bad. We will take the podium finish and are happy with the result. We are in the hunt and looking forward to tomorrow.”

Stage 2 continues tomorrow, Tuesday, August 20, and will air live on NBC Sports at 2pm MT. In addition, fans can follow the 2013 USA Pro Challenge on the Tour Tracker, available on the race website as well as through a free download on iTunes and Google Play.

About the USA Pro Challenge

Referred to as “America’s Race,” the USA Pro Challenge will take place August 19-25, 2013 and travel through eight host cities from Aspen to Denver. For seven consecutive days, the world’s top athletes race through the majestic Colorado Rockies, reaching higher altitudes than they’ve ever had to endure. After attracting more than 1 million spectators in 2012, making it one of the largest cycling events in U.S. history and the largest spectator event in the history of the state, the USA Pro Challenge is back for 2013. Featuring a challenging, 599-mile course, the third annual race will spotlight the best of the best in professional cycling and some of America’s most beautiful scenery.

More information can be found online at www.USAProChallenge.com and on Twitter at@USAProChallenge.

TEAM UNITEDHEALTHCARE ROSTER FOR 2013 USA PRO CHALLENGE:

Alessandro Bazzana (ITA)
Jonny Clarke (AUS)
Ben Day (AUS)
Phil Deignan (IRL)
Lucas Euser (USA)
Chris Jones (USA)
Jeff Louder (USA)
Kiel Reijnen (USA)
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Photo: Jonathan Devich, epicimages.us