Tension on the road at USA Pro Challenge
After Jamis rider Daniel Jaramillo crashes in stage 4, questions are raised about the conduct of the WorldTour teams.
Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.
Races like the USA Pro Challenge are an unusual blend of seasoned pros and up-and-comers. Many of the WorldTour riders don’t know their Continental team competitors from Adam, and vice-versa, which can sometimes lead to tension and even conflict on the roads.
In stage 4 on Thursday, Daniel Jaramillo (Jamis-Hagens Berman) crashed after he was apparently forced off the road by Laurent Didier (Trek Factory Racing). They were trying to make the breakaway in the early part of the race from Aspen to Breckenridge, Colorado.
“He will go there and apologize as well,” Trek Factory Racing press officer Tim Vanderjeugd told VeloNews‘ Neal Rogers. “He made a wrong decision and there’s no excuse. That’s very clear to us. Laurent tells me they spoke during the race already, but maybe both their heart rates were still too high then.”
Later on Thursday, Robin Carpenter (Hincapie Racing), winner of stage 2 in last year’s USA Pro Challenge, weighed in on Twitter.
Hey WorldTour: some of you pull some outrageous crap in these races, and you've got no right to. Give respect, get respect.
— Robin Carpenter (@RobinmCarpenter) August 20, 2015
The racers will have a day to cool off as Friday is an individual time trial around Breckenridge.
