Tyler Farrar of Team Garmin-Sharp-Barracuda out of Boulder, Colorado has won Stage One of the 2012 USA Pro Challenge, the cycling race that winds its way through Colorado. Alessandro Bazzana of Team Type 1-Sanofi took second on the stage, while Liquigas-Cannondale's Damiano Caruso finished in third.
Fararr won the 125-mile opening stage, which began in Durango and included a 30-mile canyon climb through Lizard Head Pass. The stage concluded in Telluride.
Farrar's start bodes well for Team Garmin-Sharp-Barracuda, which is considered one of the favorites this year to win the cycling challenge. Boulder's Tom Danielson is also on Team Garmin-Sharp-Barracuda, along with Christian Vande Velde, who finished second in 2011 behind champion Levi Leipheimer. Danielson finished fourth in that race.
The race's official Twitter account also reported good news for Garmin-Sharp-Barracuda rider Peter Stetina:
Word is that
— USA Pro Challenge (@USAProChallenge) August 20, 2012@peterstetina may also have taken the Most Aggressive Rider prize for all of his hard work in today's break#USAPro
Tomorrow's stage is a 99-mile ride from Montrose to Crested Butte and begins at 11:25 a.m. MT.
For more on the 2012 USA Pro Challenge, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver.