Jack Bauer flies in tough uphill prologue

Bauer did a great ride today ©RoadCyclin.co.nz (file photo)

Aug 10th, 11. NZ's Jack Bauer had an outstanding race in the Tour of Utah opener, finishing 8th amongst a field stacked with World Tour riders.

When Bauer finished the 2.1km uphill prologue in 4m16s he was just 1sec away from the top of the leaderboard.

Of the 73 riders who went before him, only Garmin Cervelo's Christian Vandevelde had gone faster.

44 riders tackled the 6% average climb after him, and only six others bettered his time, including Tour de France riders Tejay Van Garderen (HTC Highroad), Thomas Danielson (Garmin Cervelo) and Levi Leipheimer (RadioShack).

Bauer, currently racing his second season with UK team Endura Racing, stormed onto the time trial scene with his great ride at the UCI World Championships late last year.  

In only his second time trial ever, he powered to 22nd place after a last minute call up and rush to get from England to Australia.

At the time he said he believed his future was in one week stage races where he could make his difference in the time trial discipline.

This week long stage race, with another time trial later in the week, is not his goal race though. His goal event is next month's Tour of Britain.

"I've had a big break and starting to get back up to speed now. My goal is Tour of Britain in September. This week will be something new - first time at altitude, first time racing in the US, " he told RoadCycling.co.nz, noting how nice it was to see so many Kiwis.

Bauer's time today was 10sec off surprise winner Colombian Sergio Luis Henao Montoya (Gobernacion De Antioquia - Indeportes Antiquia), whose teammate Oscar Seville placed 3rd. The Colombian said the high altitude and climb was similar to his home country.

Sandwiched between the two teammates was Francisco Mancebo (RealCyclist.com), the current leader of the USA NRC competition.  Manceba and Serville were formerly teammates in the Rock Racing team, which also included NZ's Glen Chadwick.

Today, Chadwick was racing for PureBlack Racing.

The Tour of Utah is the biggest race the Kiwi team have raced in this, their first season. Chadwick is the designated leader for the tour, but it was Roman Van Uden who had the fastest race today finishing 33rd +23sec. Chadwick was 50th +28sec, the same time as another Kiwi teammate Tim Gudsell.

As well as Bauer and PureBlack Racing, four other Kiwis also rode strongly.  Jeremy Vennell (Bissell Pro Cycling) and George Bennett (RadioShack) finished with the same time +34sec, Patrick Bevin (Bissell) +37sec and Hayden Roulston (HTC Highroad) finished +42sec.

Roulston was one of the few riders who chose to take on the prologue on a time trial bike as he looks ahead to upcoming goals.

Today's uphill prologue was tough, but it was just a teaser of what is to come in this six stage race.

Tomorrow's 187km first road stage includes three mid race ascents of the 3000ft climb up North Ogden Pass Road where a few seconds lost in today's prologue are likely to fade into insignificance.

Tour of Utah

• Full Tour of Utah results
• Kiwi is Tour of Utah Sprint Champion
• Up and down day for Kiwis at the Tour of Utah
• Leipheimer leaps into Utah lead
• Van Uden and his battle for the orange jersey
• Images of Jack Bauer's Utah success
• Jack Bauer wins at the Tour of Utah
• PureBlack leader on tough opening road stage
• Bennett thrives on first day as RadioShack stagiare
• Roman Van Uden out front in Utah
• Bobsled challenge for Roman Van Uden
• Youngest Kiwi at Utah keen for action
• Jack Bauer flies in tough uphill prologue
• Back to basics for Pure Black Racing