Jonny Clarke (UnitedHealthcare) is not usually considered a climber, but he made the most of an early breakaway and outwitted Michael Torckler (Team Budget Forklifts) to take the Sierra Nevada KOM Jersey on the first day of racing at the USA Pro Challenge.
UnitedHealthcare's initial plan was to put Danny Summerhill in the day's early break. Summerhill, a Colorado native, knows the roads well and is comfortable in the high mountain air. Summerhill rode hard the first half hour of the race to get away, but to no avail.
"After [Summerhill] started to get tired I tried once and kind of accidentally got in," Clarke said. "It was always just to have representation, because at the end we wanted to go for Kiel and John Murphy, if he stayed there. While I was there I had to try for the KOM."
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Once in the break, Clarke found himself fighting Kiwi rider Torckler for KOM points. Clarke jumped early for the first KOM but was caught by Torckler, who took the first KOM, followed by Clarke. The pair reversed positions on the next, and final, KOM.
"I was feeling alright for that first lap but just went to the limit probably a few too many times," Torckler said. "I was starting to tire a bit towards the end I think."
Tied for points, the final determination for the KOM leader would be made according to stage placing. Clarke positioned himself perfectly in the final sprint and finished in 26th place, two spots ahead of Torckler, who finished 28th.
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