USA Pro Cycling Challenge: Breckenridge in Pictures

Ivan Basso (ITA)

The big boys of cycling aimed for a stage victory at today's USA Pro Cycling Challenge but got pipped by the sprinters at the finish in Breckenridge. Tour de France runner-ups Andy Schleck and Ivan Basso rode in the breakaway but were caught by the peloton in the last 500 meters. Elia Viviani bested the rest to win his second consecutive stage at the inaugural Colorado race, while Levi Leipheimer and his RadioShack team defended his position as overall race leader despite pressure from rival Christian Vande Velde and his Garmin-Cervelo squad.

The seventh and final stage of the race will finish in the heart of Denver tomorrow, and Leipheimer is expected to take first with Christian Vande Velde in second and Tejay Van Garderen in third. Television coverage will air on NBC.

WELCOME TO BRECKENRIDGE

FINAL HALF MILE: Breakaway still leads

Break included T. Peterson, A. Schleck & I. Basso

Chase includes Cadel Evans (center in red)

FINISH LINE

AFTER THE RACE: Riders head to team buses

Cadel Evans (AUS)

Christian Vande Velde (USA) & Ryder Hesjedal (CAN)

At left: Frank Schleck (LUX)

Laurens Ten Dam (NED), who led the early break

Sylvester Szmyd (POL) & Christopher Jones (USA)

Danny Pate (USA)

BACK AT THE BUS: Fans gather for autographs

Fans swarm George Hincapie at BMC bus

George Hincapie (USA) signing autographs

At the RadioShack team bus

 

Crowd awaits the Schleck brothers at Leopard-Trek's trailer

Dave Zabriskie (USA)