Tour of Utah Stage 1: Photo Gallery

The Tour of Utah field crosses the dam at the Pineview Reservoir.

Francisco Mancebo celebrated victory after Wednesday's mountainous road stage at the Tour of Utah. Mancebo escaped with his Rock Racing team-mate Oscar Sevilla on the final climb of the day to Emigration Canyon. The two Spanish climbers quickly built up their advantage and held off the determined pursuit of the field over the 20 kilometers of descending to the finish. Mancebo also took over the Gold Jersey of race leader. David Veilleux of Kelly Benefit Strategies won the bunch sprint for third just 25 seconds after the Rock Racing riders crossed the line. Veilleux now leads the Young Riders competition and will wear the Blue Jersey tomorrow.

A two-rider break escaped at around the midpoint of the stage. Working together, Bradley White of Ouch and Sam Bewley of U23 Trek-Livestrong soon built up a lead of 2:45 over the main field and remained up the road until the final climb of the day to Big Mountain. On the lower slopes of Big Mountain, White attacked Bewley and went up the road alone. Behind, the main field began to show signs of life and soon Francisco Mancebo and Oscar Sevilla of Rock Racing attacked from the main field and steadily closed down the gap to White.

Over the summit of Big Mountain, White remained out in front, but on the final climb to Emigration Canyon, Mancebo and Sevilla caught the lead rider. White could not hold the pace of the two Spanish climbers and soon it was all Rock Racing at the front. Over the summit, Mancebo and Sevilla held their gap. On the descent, a group of around 40 riders reformed and at the line, Mancebo and Sevilla held only 25 seconds over the charging field. Mancebo took the stage win and the race lead, while Sevilla crossed the line second. Behind, David Veilleux won the sprint ahead of Victor Hugo Peña of Rock Racing, while David Clinger, riding for local team Cole Sports, rounded out the top five.

Tomorrow's stage runs between Thanksgiving Point and Mount Nebo. The course crosses flat terrain for the first 100 kilometers, then it's a 30 kilometer uphill grind to the finish. After gaining nearly 1800 meters in elevation, the course finishes at the summit of Mount Nebo.

Photo gallery from Fred Marx, who rode the moto today. Hit the flippy!

The main field races through the rolling terrain outside Ogden in the early kilometers of the stage.

The early break, Bradley White of Ouch and Sam Bewley of U23 Trek-Livestrong.
The two built up a maximum advantage of nearly three minutes.

The Chase. The BMC team of race leader Brent Bookwalter did much of the work of chasing.

Bradley White of Ouch, suffering solo on Big Mountain.
White attacked Bewley on the lower slopes of the final climb and went up the road alone.

Floyd Landis of Ouch, Oscar Sevilla of Rock Racing, and David Clinger of Cole Sports
ride near the front of the main field.

The main field chased on the descent and held the gap to the Rock Racing duo to just 25 seconds at the finish.

Francisco Mancebo and Oscar Sevilla of Rock Racing crossed the line together after attacking on the final climb.

David Veilleux of Kelly Benefit Strategies wins the sprint for third ahead of David Clinger of Cole Sports.

Local boy Dave Z, post-race.

The Jerseys. Best Young Rider David Veilleux of Kelly Benefit Strategies, Race leader Francisco Mancebo of Rock Racing, Mountains leader Bradley White of Ouch, and Points Jersey Oscar Sevilla of Rock Racing.

View the full gallery.

For full results, head over to the Tour of Utah website.

Photos are copyright Christopher See and are used with permission. Reproductions available upon request. Look, but don't touch.