# 2013 USA Pro Cycling Challenge

The 2013 USA Pro Cycling Challenge is the third edition of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge stage race. Once again, the race was included on the UCI America Tour, with a UCI classification of 2.HC. As such, the race was only open to teams on the UCI Pro Tour, UCI Professional Continental and UCI Continental circuits. The race took place between August 19–25, 2013 as a seven-day, seven-stage race, traversing the state of Colorado. The 2013 USA Pro Cycling Challenge was one of six UCI-ranked stage races in the United States in 2013, and one of two (along with the 2013 Tour of California) that attracted multiple UCI ProTeams to compete.
American Tejay van Garderen of BMC Racing Team won the overall title after finishing lower on the podium the previous two years.

## Participating teams

In July, the USA Pro Cycling Challenge announced a sixteen-team field, made up of seven UCI ProTeams (up from six), four UCI Professional Continental Teams (down from six) and five UCI Continental Teams (up from four), thus giving the race a total of sixteen-teams (steady from 2012). In total, ten of the sixteen-teams that competed in 2013 were invited to return to this event, as well as Argos–Shimano, Bissell, and Jelly Belly–Kenda, who competed in the 2011 edition. UCI ProTeams Argos–Shimano, Cannondale, RadioShack–Leopard, Saxo–Tinkoff, and Team Sky are based in the Netherlands, Italy, Luxembourg, Denmark, and the United Kingdoms, respectively; UCI Professional Continental Team Champion System is based in China, while its counterpart, Colombia is based in Columbia. The remaining nine teams are based in the United States.

## Contenders

Defending champion, American Christian Vande Velde of Garmin–Sharp hoped to defend his title. Other contenders included Australian Rory Sutherland of Saxo–Tinkoff, Jamis–Hagens Berman's Janier Acevedo of Colombia, Irishman Philip Deignan of UnitedHealthcare, RadioShack–Leopard's George Bennett of New Zealand, and Americans Tom Danielson of Garmin–Sharp and Tejay van Garderen of BMC Racing Team. Garmin–Sharp's Lachlan Morton of Australia, and BMC Racing Team's Mathias Frank of Switzerland were both considered potential dark horses.

## Stages

Stage results :
| Stage | Date | Route | Terrain | Length | Winner |
| 1 | 19 August | Aspen - Snowmass | Medium-mountain stage | 64 mi (103 km) | Peter Sagan (SVK) |
| 2 | 20 August | Aspen - Breckenridge | Mountain stage | 126 mi (203 km) | Mathias Frank (SUI) |
| 3 | 21 August | Breckenridge - Steamboat Springs | Medium-mountain stage | 106 mi (171 km) | Peter Sagan (SVK) |
| 4 | 22 August | Steamboat Springs - Beaver Creek | Mountain stage | 103 mi (166 km) | Janier Acevedo (COL) |
| 5 | 23 August | Vail - Vail | Individual time trial | 10 mi (16 km) | Tejay van Garderen (USA) |
| 6 | 24 August | Loveland - Fort Collins | Medium-mountain stage | 117 mi (188 km) | Peter Sagan (SVK) |
| 7 | 25 August | Denver - Denver | Flat Circuit | 47 mi (76 km) | Peter Sagan (SVK) |
| | Total | Total | 573 mi (922 km) | 573 mi (922 km) | 573 mi (922 km) | 573 mi (922 km) |

### Stage 1

August 19, 2013 — Aspen to Snowmass, 63.18 miles (101.68 km)
The opening circuit for the pro challenge will begin in Aspen, and consist of three 22 miles (35 km) laps and 3,080 feet (940 m) of climbing per lap.
| | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Peter Sagan (SVK) | Cannondale | 2h 26' 00" |
| 2 | Greg Van Avermaet (BEL) | BMC Racing Team | s.t. |
| 3 | Kiel Reijnen (USA) | UnitedHealthcare | s.t. |
| 4 | Tony Gallopin (FRA) | RadioShack–Leopard | s.t. |
| 5 | Tejay van Garderen (USA) | BMC Racing Team | s.t. |
| 6 | Damiano Caruso (ITA) | Cannondale | s.t. |
| 7 | Rory Sutherland (AUS) | Saxo–Tinkoff | s.t. |
| 8 | Lucas Euser (USA) | UnitedHealthcare | s.t. |
| 9 | Tom Danielson (USA) | Garmin–Sharp | s.t. |
| 10 | Chris Baldwin (USA) | Bissell | s.t. |
| | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Peter Sagan (SVK) | Cannondale | 2h 26' 00" |
| 2 | Greg Van Avermaet (BEL) | BMC Racing Team | + 0" |
| 3 | Kiel Reijnen (USA) | UnitedHealthcare | + 0" |
| 4 | Tony Gallopin (FRA) | RadioShack–Leopard | + 0" |
| 5 | Tejay van Garderen (USA) | BMC Racing Team | + 0" |
| 6 | Damiano Caruso (ITA) | Cannondale | + 0" |
| 7 | Rory Sutherland (AUS) | Saxo–Tinkoff | + 0" |
| 8 | Lucas Euser (USA) | UnitedHealthcare | + 0" |
| 9 | Tom Danielson (USA) | Garmin–Sharp | + 0" |
| 10 | Chris Baldwin (USA) | Bissell | + 0" |

### Stage 2

August 20, 2013 — Aspen to Breckenridge, 126.06 miles (202.87 km)
| | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Mathias Frank (SUI) | BMC Racing Team | 5h 05' 19" |
| 2 | Lachlan Morton (AUS) | Garmin–Sharp | + 3" |
| 3 | Peter Sagan (SVK) | Cannondale | + 14" |
| 4 | Tejay van Garderen (USA) | BMC Racing Team | + 14" |
| 5 | Lawson Craddock (USA) | Bontrager Cycling Team | + 21" |
| 6 | Tom Danielson (USA) | Garmin–Sharp | + 32" |
| 7 | Darwin Atapuma (COL) | Colombia | + 33" |
| 8 | Damiano Caruso (ITA) | Cannondale | + 44" |
| 9 | Michael Schär (SUI) | BMC Racing Team | + 44" |
| 10 | George Bennett (NZL) | RadioShack–Leopard | + 44" |
| | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Lachlan Morton (AUS) | Garmin–Sharp | 7h 31' 22" |
| 2 | Mathias Frank (SUI) | BMC Racing Team | + 2" |
| 3 | Peter Sagan (SVK) | Cannondale | + 11" |
| 4 | Tejay van Garderen (USA) | BMC Racing Team | + 11" |
| 5 | Lawson Craddock (USA) | Bontrager Cycling Team | + 18" |
| 6 | Tom Danielson (USA) | Garmin–Sharp | + 29" |
| 7 | Darwin Atapuma (COL) | Colombia | + 35" |
| 8 | Damiano Caruso (ITA) | Cannondale | + 41" |
| 9 | Chris Baldwin (USA) | Bissell | + 41" |
| 10 | Gregory Brenes (CRC) | Colombia | + 41" |

### Stage 3

August 21, 2013 — Breckenridge to Steamboat Springs, 106 miles (171 km)
| | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Peter Sagan (SVK) | Cannondale | 4h 04' 18" |
| 2 | Luka Mezgec (SLO) | Argos–Shimano | s.t. |
| 3 | Ryan Anderson (CAN) | Cannondale | s.t. |
| 4 | Greg Van Avermaet (BEL) | BMC Racing Team | s.t. |
| 5 | Alessandro Bazzana (ITA) | UnitedHealthcare | s.t. |
| 6 | Edwin Ávila (COL) | Colombia | s.t. |
| 7 | Martijn Verschoor (NED) | Team Novo Nordisk | s.t. |
| 8 | Tony Gallopin (FRA) | RadioShack–Leopard | s.t. |
| 9 | Tanner Putt (USA) | Bontrager Cycling Team | s.t. |
| 10 | Damiano Caruso (ITA) | Cannondale | s.t. |
| | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Lachlan Morton (AUS) | Garmin–Sharp | 11h 35' 40" |
| 2 | Mathias Frank (SUI) | BMC Racing Team | + 2" |
| 3 | Peter Sagan (SVK) | Cannondale | + 11" |
| 4 | Tejay van Garderen (USA) | BMC Racing Team | + 11" |
| 5 | Lawson Craddock (USA) | Bontrager Cycling Team | + 18" |
| 6 | Tom Danielson (USA) | Garmin–Sharp | + 29" |
| 7 | Darwin Atapuma (COL) | Colombia | + 35" |
| 8 | Damiano Caruso (ITA) | Cannondale | + 41" |
| 9 | Greg Van Avermaet (BEL) | BMC Racing Team | + 41" |
| 10 | Tony Gallopin (FRA) | RadioShack–Leopard | + 41" |

### Stage 4

August 22, 2013 — Steamboat Springs to Beaver Creek, 103 miles (166 km)
| | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Janier Acevedo (COL) | Jamis–Hagens Berman | 4h 09' 08" |
| 2 | Tejay van Garderen (USA) | BMC Racing Team | s.t. |
| 3 | Mathias Frank (SUI) | BMC Racing Team | + 13" |
| 4 | Tom Danielson (USA) | Garmin–Sharp | + 22" |
| 5 | Gregory Brenes (CRC) | Champion System | + 1' 07" |
| 6 | Damiano Caruso (ITA) | Cannondale | + 1' 28" |
| 7 | Josh Edmondson (GBR) | Team Sky | + 1' 28" |
| 8 | Lachlan Morton (AUS) | Garmin–Sharp | + 1' 28" |
| 9 | Michael Schär (SUI) | BMC Racing Team | + 1' 28" |
| 10 | Darwin Atapuma (COL) | Colombia | + 1' 28" |
| | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Tejay van Garderen (USA) | BMC Racing Team | 15h 49' 59" |
| 2 | Mathias Frank (SUI) | BMC Racing Team | + 4" |
| 3 | Janier Acevedo (COL) | Jamis–Hagens Berman | + 30" |
| 4 | Tom Danielson (USA) | Garmin–Sharp | + 40" |
| 5 | Lachlan Morton (AUS) | Garmin–Sharp | + 1' 17" |
| 6 | Gregory Brenes (CRC) | Champion System | + 1' 37" |
| 7 | Darwin Atapuma (COL) | Colombia | + 1' 52" |
| 8 | Damiano Caruso (ITA) | Cannondale | + 1' 58" |
| 9 | Rory Sutherland (AUS) | Saxo–Tinkoff | + 1' 58" |
| 10 | Lucas Euser (USA) | UnitedHealthcare | + 1' 58" |

### Stage 5

August 23, 2013 — Vail to Vail, 10 miles (16 km)
| | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Tejay van Garderen (USA) | BMC Racing Team | 25' 01" |
| 2 | Andrew Talansky (USA) | Garmin–Sharp | + 4" |
| 3 | Tom Danielson (USA) | Garmin–Sharp | + 1' 02" |
| 4 | Steve Cummings (GBR) | BMC Racing Team | + 1' 04" |
| 5 | Larry Warbasse (USA) | BMC Racing Team | + 1' 12" |
| 6 | Tobias Ludvigsson (SWE) | Argos–Shimano | + 1' 16" |
| 7 | Kanstantsin Sivtsov (BLR) | Team Sky | + 1' 16" |
| 8 | Lachlan Morton (AUS) | Garmin–Sharp | + 1' 17" |
| 9 | Christian Vande Velde (USA) | Garmin–Sharp | + 1' 24" |
| 10 | Mathias Frank (SWI) | BMC Racing Team | + 1' 26" |
| | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Tejay van Garderen (USA) | BMC Racing Team | 16h 10' 00" |
| 2 | Mathias Frank (SUI) | BMC Racing Team | + 1' 30" |
| 3 | Tom Danielson (USA) | Garmin–Sharp | + 1' 42" |
| 4 | Janier Acevedo (COL) | Jamis–Hagens Berman | + 2' 10" |
| 5 | Lachlan Morton (AUS) | Garmin–Sharp | + 2' 34" |
| 6 | Gregory Brenes (CRC) | Champion System | + 3' 35" |
| 7 | Lawson Craddock (USA) | Bontrager Cycling Team | + 3' 42" |
| 8 | George Bennett (NZL) | RadioShack–Leopard | + 3' 58" |
| 9 | Rory Sutherland (AUS) | Saxo–Tinkoff | + 4' 11" |
| 10 | Philip Deignan (IRL) | UnitedHealthcare | + 4' 12" |

### Stage 6

August 24, 2013 — Loveland to Fort Collins, 117.17 miles (188.57 km)
| | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Peter Sagan (SVK) | Cannondale | 4h 01' 33" |
| 2 | Luka Mezgec (SLO) | Argos–Shimano | s.t. |
| 3 | Greg Van Avermaet (BEL) | BMC Racing Team | s.t. |
| 4 | Edwin Ávila (COL) | Colombia | s.t. |
| 5 | Alessandro Bazzana (ITA) | UnitedHealthcare | s.t. |
| 6 | Andrea Peron (ITA) | Team Novo Nordisk | s.t. |
| 7 | Rory Sutherland (AUS) | Saxo–Tinkoff | s.t. |
| 8 | Fred Rodriguez (USA) | Jelly Belly–Kenda | s.t. |
| 9 | Michael Olsson (SWE) | Argos–Shimano | s.t. |
| 10 | Robinson Chalapud (COL) | Colombia | s.t. |
| | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Tejay van Garderen (USA) | BMC Racing Team | 20h 11' 33" |
| 2 | Mathias Frank (SUI) | BMC Racing Team | + 1' 30" |
| 3 | Tom Danielson (USA) | Garmin–Sharp | + 1' 42" |
| 4 | Janier Acevedo (COL) | Jamis–Hagens Berman | + 2' 10" |
| 5 | Lachlan Morton (AUS) | Garmin–Sharp | + 2' 34" |
| 6 | Gregory Brenes (CRC) | Champion System | + 3' 25" |
| 7 | Lawson Craddock (USA) | Bontrager Cycling Team | + 3' 42" |
| 8 | George Bennett (NZL) | RadioShack–Leopard | + 3' 58" |
| 9 | Rory Sutherland (AUS) | Saxo–Tinkoff | + 4' 11" |
| 10 | Philip Deignan (IRL) | UnitedHealthcare | + 4' 12" |

### Stage 7

August 25, 2013 — Denver to Denver, 47.1 miles (75.8 km)
| | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Peter Sagan (SVK) | Cannondale | 2h 27' 15" |
| 2 | Ryan Anderson (CAN) | Optum–Kelly Benefit Strategies | s.t. |
| 3 | Alessandro Bazzana (ITA) | UnitedHealthcare | s.t. |
| 4 | Luka Mezgec (SLO) | Argos–Shimano | s.t. |
| 5 | Greg Van Avermaet (BEL) | BMC Racing Team | s.t. |
| 6 | Edwin Ávila (COL) | Colombia | s.t. |
| 7 | Tanner Putt (USA) | Bontrager Cycling Team | s.t. |
| 8 | Andrea Peron (ITA) | Team Novo Nordisk | s.t. |
| 9 | Philip Deignan (IRL) | UnitedHealthcare | s.t. |
| 10 | Michael Schär (SWI) | BMC Racing Team | s.t. |
| | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Tejay van Garderen (USA) | BMC Racing Team | 22h 38' 48" |
| 2 | Mathias Frank (SUI) | BMC Racing Team | + 1' 30" |
| 3 | Tom Danielson (USA) | Garmin–Sharp | + 1' 42" |
| 4 | Janier Acevedo (COL) | Jamis–Hagens Berman | + 2' 10" |
| 5 | Lachlan Morton (AUS) | Garmin–Sharp | + 2' 34" |
| 6 | Gregory Brenes (CRC) | Champion System | + 3' 25" |
| 7 | Lawson Craddock (USA) | Bontrager Cycling Team | + 3' 42" |
| 8 | George Bennett (NZL) | RadioShack–Leopard | + 3' 58" |
| 9 | Rory Sutherland (AUS) | Saxo–Tinkoff | + 4' 11" |
| 10 | Philip Deignan (IRL) | UnitedHealthcare | + 4' 12" |

## Classification leadership

In the 2013 USA Pro Cycling Challenge, five jerseys are awarded. For the general classification, calculated by adding the finishing times of the stages per cyclist, the leader receives a yellow jersey. This classification is considered the most important of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge, and the winner of the general classification will be considered the winner of the event.
Additionally, there is also a sprints classification, akin to what is called the points classification in other races, which awards a green jersey. Points are gathered at sprint line performances as well as finishing the stage in the top-fifteen places.
There is also a mountains classification, which awards a red jersey. In the mountains classifications, points are won by reaching the top of a mountain before other cyclists. Each climb is categorized, either first, second, third, or fourth category, with more points available for the harder climbs.
There is also a youth classification. This classification is calculated the same way as the general classification, but only young cyclists (under 23) are included. The leader of the young rider classification receives a white jersey.
The last jersey is awarded to the most aggressive rider of a stage for him to wear on the next stage. It is generally awarded to a rider who attacks constantly or spends a lot of time in the breakaways. This jersey is orange.
There is also a classification for teams. In this classification, the times of the best three cyclists per stage are added, and the team with the lowest time is the leader.
| Stage | Winner | General classification | Sprints classification | Mountains classification | Young rider classification | Most Aggressive | Team classification |
| 1 | Peter Sagan | Peter Sagan | Peter Sagan | Matt Cooke | Peter Sagan | Peter Sagan | RadioShack–Leopard |
| 2 | Mathias Frank | Lachlan Morton | Peter Sagan | Matt Cooke | Lachlan Morton | Mathias Frank | BMC Racing Team |
| 3 | Peter Sagan | Lachlan Morton | Peter Sagan | Matt Cooke | Lachlan Morton | Jens Voigt | BMC Racing Team |
| 4 | Janier Acevedo | Tejay van Garderen | Peter Sagan | Matt Cooke | Lachlan Morton | Michael Rogers | BMC Racing Team |
| 5 | Tejay van Garderen | Tejay van Garderen | Peter Sagan | Matt Cooke | Lachlan Morton | Andrew Talansky | BMC Racing Team |
| 6 | Peter Sagan | Tejay van Garderen | Peter Sagan | Matt Cooke | Lachlan Morton | Simon Geschke | BMC Racing Team |
| 7 | Peter Sagan | Tejay van Garderen | Peter Sagan | Matt Cooke | Lachlan Morton | Ben King | BMC Racing Team |
| Final | Final | Tejay van Garderen | Peter Sagan | Matt Cooke | Lachlan Morton | Ben King | BMC Racing Team |

## Classification standings

Legend :
| Denotes the leader of the General classification | Denotes the leader of the Mountains classification |
| Denotes the leader of the Points classification | Denotes the leader of the Young rider classification |

### General classification

| | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Tejay van Garderen (USA) | BMC Racing Team | 22h 38' 48" |
| 2 | Mathias Frank (SUI) | BMC Racing Team | + 1' 30" |
| 3 | Tom Danielson (USA) | Garmin–Sharp | + 1' 42" |
| 4 | Janier Acevedo (COL) | Jamis–Hagens Berman | + 2' 10" |
| 5 | Lachlan Morton (AUS) | Garmin–Sharp | + 2' 34" |
| 6 | Gregory Brenes (CRC) | Champion System | + 3' 25" |
| 7 | Lawson Craddock (USA) | Bontrager Cycling Team | + 3' 42" |
| 8 | George Bennett (NZL) | RadioShack–Leopard | + 3' 58" |
| 9 | Rory Sutherland (AUS) | Saxo–Tinkoff | + 4' 11" |
| 10 | Philip Deignan (IRL) | UnitedHealthcare | + 4' 12" |

### Points classification

| | Rider | Team | Points |
| 1 | Peter Sagan (SVK) | Cannondale | 70 |
| 2 | Greg Van Avermaet (BEL) | BMC Racing Team | 40 |
| 3 | Luka Mezgec (SLO) | Argos–Shimano | 31 |
| 4 | Alessandro Bazzana (ITA) | UnitedHealthcare | 22 |
| 5 | Ryan Anderson (CAN) | Optum–Kelly Benefit Strategies | 22 |
| 6 | Edwin Ávila (COL) | Colombia | 17 |
| 7 | Mathias Frank (SUI) | BMC Racing Team | 15 |
| 8 | Tejay van Garderen (USA) | BMC Racing Team | 13 |
| 9 | Lachlan Morton (AUS) | Garmin–Sharp | 12 |
| 10 | Tony Gallopin (FRA) | RadioShack–Leopard | 10 |

### King of the Mountains classification

| | Rider | Team | Points |
| 1 | Matt Cooke (USA) | Jamis–Hagens Berman | 46 |
| 2 | Mathias Frank (SWI) | BMC Racing Team | 30 |
| 3 | Tyler Wren (USA) | Jamis–Hagens Berman | 25 |
| 4 | Lachlan Morton (AUS) | Garmin–Sharp | 22 |
| 5 | Tejay van Garderen (USA) | BMC Racing Team | 20 |
| 6 | Tom Danielson (USA) | Garmin–Sharp | 19 |
| 7 | Jens Voigt (GER) | RadioShack–Leopard | 18 |
| 8 | Janier Acevedo (COL) | Jamis–Hagens Berman | 16 |
| 9 | Michael Rogers (AUS) | Saxo–Tinkoff | 16 |
| 10 | Lawson Craddock (USA) | Bontrager Cycling Team | 13 |

### Young Riders classification

| | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Lachlan Morton (AUS) | Garmin–Sharp | 20h 14' 07" |
| 3 | Lawson Craddock (USA) | Bontrager Cycling Team | + 1' 08" |
| 2 | George Bennett (NZL) | RadioShack–Leopard | + 1' 24" |
| 4 | Nathan Wilson (USA) | Bontrager Cycling Team | + 2' 26" |
| 5 | James Oram (NZL) | Bontrager Cycling Team | + 3' 11" |
| 6 | Jesper Hansen (DEN) | Saxo–Tinkoff | + 7' 56" |
| 7 | Larry Warbasse (USA) | BMC Racing Team | + 8' 19" |
| 8 | Tobias Ludvigsson (SWE) | Argos–Shimano | + 16' 51" |
| 9 | Peter Sagan (SVK) | Cannondale | + 17' 12" |
| 10 | Davide Villella (ITA) | Cannondale | + 21' 12" |

### Team classification

| | Team | Time |
| 1 | BMC Racing Team | 60h 38′ 57″ |
| 2 | Garmin–Sharp | + 5' 30″ |
| 3 | Bontrager Cycling Team | + 9' 46″ |
| 4 | Champion System | + 14' 50″ |
| 5 | Saxo–Tinkoff | + 15' 51″ |
| 6 | RadioShack–Leopard | + 17' 21″ |
| 7 | Colombia | + 17' 48″ |
| 8 | UnitedHealthcare | + 20' 22″ |
| 9 | Cannondale | + 25' 44″ |
| 10 | Jelly Belly–Kenda | + 37' 06″ |