August 7, 2012 - Ogden, Utah – For six years the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team’s Rory Sutherland (AUS) has raced in the United States’ biggest stage races, and for six years he has done well, landing on the podium and placing in the top 10 of these races multiple times. But today, thanks to a complete team effort and gusty performance by the highly decorated rider, Sutherland accomplished what he had yet been unable to do and secured his first stage win at the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah.
After nearly five and one-half hours of racing amidst scorching temperatures and over four rugged mountain climbs covering a total of 211.9km (131.7 miles), the versatile 6’2” Australian separated himself from a small group of riders coming off the final climb at the North Ogden pass. Coming into downtown Ogden, Sutherland launched a full sprint effort inside the final 200 meters to triumphantly cross the finish line just ahead of Liquigas-Cannondale’s Damiano Caruso (ITA) and BMC Racing Team’s Brent Bookwalter (USA), who finished second and third respectively.
For Sutherland and his Teammates, the Stage One victory in front of several Team sponsors and an enthusiastic crowd of thousands was the result of a complete Team effort that saw all eight riders contribute to earning the first stage win of the 2012 edition of America’s Toughest Stage Race. Read More...
