August 25, 2011 (Aspen, CO) – The 2011 USA Pro Cycling Challenge continued Wednesday in Colorado, USA, with the presentation of the second of six stages, a 210-kilometre trek between Gunnison to Aspen, a stage nicknamed the “Queen Stage”.

The team knew at the start that we would face a very tough day. Two mountain passes at 12,000 feet of altitude would likely be for the climbers.

On the final climb over independence pass, Lucas Euser did very well to stay with the leader, Levi Leipheimer, and only the daredevil descenders getting clear for the finish.  A well deserved 8th place for Lucas on the Queen stage.

We lost Andrew Randell to a very tough crash on a cattle guard crossing at the base of the first climb.  12 riders went down with three stopping the race due to injury. Andrew was transported to hospital for X-Rays which, showed a compression fracture of the first lumbar vertebrae. One of his fingers was also injured and he was treated for this injury as well.  Andrew is now moving with a brace on his back, for comfort.

Full results HERE.