Can Frank and Andy Come Out and Play?

Frank was glad to see me in Salida.

Good time today following the Pro Tour Challenge Stage #1.  So much to see in such a short time, you have to plan carefully and hope for a little luck.  The pro team buses were almost an hour late arriving in Salida from Colorado Springs.

One by one they rolled in to the staging area and fans started following their favorite team's logo plastered Ubber $$$ motor coaches.  After an uneventful time hanging outside of the Garmin bus, we decided to go back and follow some of the latest arrivers.  That's when we spotted the Leopard Trek bikes piled on several team cars. Then there was an unmarked modest motor home sandwiched between a couple of  the Trek laden vehicles.  We suspected it carried precious cargo so we followed and took residence outside the bus door.  The hunch paid off.  Both Frank and Andy Schleck, Jens Voigt and the entire team slowly exited the bus one at a time after about a 30 minutes wait.  Teresa and I were 6 feet from the door.  We shot a few pictures through the bus windows and know Andy was bare chested and peaking out the front side window to build the crowd excitement. That would be the highlight we were looking for.



Andy Schleck emerged from the team bus and grabbed every pen and Sharpie offered.



The start was ceremonial but fast with 3 full laps through the streets of Salida a bike crazy town on any day.  We intercepted the breakaway and then the peleton on Hwy 50 on the way back to our RV camp.  Organization and participation by staff, volunteers and the Colorado Highway Patrol was phenomenal.

The stage was won by American Levy Leiphmer.  Frank podiumed 3rd and Andy finished 45th for the day.

Tomorrow I ride up Cottonwod Pass from Buena Vista to meet the racers under the King of the Mountain banner and then descend back to BV for a little more relaxation.