Aevolo’s Gage Hecht, 20, left everyone in shock when he sprinted to the finish line during Thursday’s opening stage of the Colorado Classic which this season took place in Vail.
He was able to lead the main group of riders and breakaway during the final seconds to grab the stage win and year the first leader’s jersey of the event.
“I didn’t really expect at all to be able to make that move,” Hecht said during the post-race press conference.
“I thought maybe I’ll give it one last final attack. Maybe I’ll get a little bit extra little bit of TV coverage, get my name out there a little more and then get absorbed by the pack at like 3km and then just try and hang on as best I could. I thought maybe because I had the time bonuses I could get the best young rider’s jersey.”
Hecht, the reigning U23 time trial champion and criterium winner, thanks to a time bonus halfway through the race, now leads McCabe by 12 seconds in the general classification and third-place winner Lewis by 14 seconds.
Incredible day of racing for Stage 1! Back in Vail for more tomorrow ??
? @a_gruber @jeredgruber #CoClassic18 pic.twitter.com/73gYeyggWA— Colorado Classic (@CoClassicPro) August 16, 2018
Brief Results so far
Gage Hecht (USA) Aevolo, 2:32:56
Travis McCabe (USA) UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling, 0:00:06
Joseph Lewis (Aus) Holowesko-Citadel p/b Arapahoe Resources
Serghei Tvetcov (Rom) UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling
Christopher Blevins (USA) Hagens Berman Axeon
Tyler Magner (USA) Rally Cycling
Michael Hernandez (USA) Aevolo
Edwin Alcibiades Avila Vanegas (Col) Israel Cycling Academy
Toms Skujins (Lat) Trek-Segafredo
Taylor Phinney (USA) EF Education First-Drapac p/b Cannondale
