Roman Van Uden out front in Utah

Aug 11th, 11.  In the biggest stage race his team has raced, PureBlack's Roman Van Uden earned the spotlight after his time in today's breakaway on Stage 1 of the Tour of Utah.

PureBlack Racing said their goal for this tour was to get in breaks and continue the aggressive racing they have shown throughout this season, and today Van Uden delivered for them.

He attacked within the first few minutes of the three lap 184km stage. While his initial offensive move was shut down, he stayed vigilant and when Jay Thomson (Bissell Pro Cycling) launched an attack up the early rollers, the Kiwi followed.

Thomson, Van Uden, Brad White (United Healthcare) and Rubens Bertogliati (Team Type 1, formerly Saunier Duval) worked well together to quickly establish a solid lead on the peloton.

By the time they were up and over the first of three ascents of the Ogden pass (1500ft over 4.8km) and were preparing for the first sprint point at 61km, they had a huge gap of 7m25s.

A small chase group, which included NZ's George Bennett (RadioShack) had tried, but failed to bridge to the leading quartet.

It was Van Uden who took maximum points across the sprint line. With the bonus seconds awarded, the 22 year old became the leader on the road.

Up the second ascent of Ogden Pass, the peloton increased their pace and reeled the break back to a 4min gap, then 2min. The change of speed split the peloton, but up the front Jesse Anthony (Kelly Benefits) launched a solo attempt to reach the breakaway riders.

Although the time gap was closing, the quartet was still out the front by the second sprint point and again Van Uden took maximum points.

Roman Van Uden in today's break ©PureBlack Racing

He started his sprint 300m before the line and held off his companions to take the second sprint win.

Soon after the sprint point, Anthony joined Van Uden's group and Thomson attacked off the front up the final ascent of Ogden Pass.

Having done what he set out to do, Van Uden rejoined the peloton when the attacks on the final climb began.

"It was ridiculously hot out there today," said Van Uden after the stage.

"I must have taken 15 bottles during the race to keep hydrated and pour over myself to try and cool it down just a little. I was happy to be climbing that hill in the breakaway rather than trying to do it alongside the great climbers in the peloton"

The final phase of action

Anthony's day of bridging was not yet over. Impressively, he climbed his way up to the Bissell rider - and kept going!

By the top of the climb RadioShack had worked their GC leaders Levi Leipheimer and Jani Brajkovich to the front of the race.

With 35km to go the lead group was; Leipheimer, Brajkovich, Anthony, and yesterday's winner Sergio Henao with his teammate Oscar Sevilla (Gobernación de Antioquia-Indeportes Antioquia).

The group worked well together while many chase groups formed and disbanded. To finish his perfect day, it was Anthony who took the stage victory, while Henao kept the yellow jersey. 

Unfortunately for Van Uden, sprint points awarded at the end of the race meant he missed out on the green sprint jersey (Tour of Utah announcers had previously noted he would be the jersey winner for the stage).

Three Kiwis rode strongly to finish in the chase group of 30 riders who crossed the line 2m35s behind the leaders; Jack Bauer (Endura), George Bennett (RadioShack) and Glen Chadwick (PureBlack Racing).

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