RadioShack-Nissan’s Jens Voigt joined a breakaway ten minutes into Stage Four of the USA Pro Challenge, set out on his own after 12 miles and rode alone to victory.
When Voigt attacked the break with 85 miles left in the stage, no one bothered to respond. Common sense said that no one would or could make a serious attack 12 miles into a 97.3-mile stage.
All those riders underestimated Voigt. The German rider, 25 days shy of his 41st birthday, had more power in his legs than anyone else in the race. Despite having been in a break in every stage in the race already, Voigt still had what it took.
Voigt is not the fastest rider, though he might be the strongest. Usually his role is to pull hard in the middle of races, dishing out pain to his competitors, and softening up the opposition so his team leader can race for the win.
Not this day—this day belonged to Voigt himself. The German strong man beat the entire field by three minutes.
Tejay Van Garderen took over the yellow jersey by finishing a few feet ahead of Christian Vande Velde.
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