Stage 1: Brian Head to Cedar City

Tour of Utah Stage 1 Photo: Greg Hull © Chasing Light Media

Tour of Utah Stage 1 Photo: Greg Hull © Chasing Light Media
Stage 1 of the Tour of Utah 2013 left Brian Head ski resort at an altitude of 9600 ft and ran 112 miles through the beautiful hills of southern Utah.

Tour of Utah Stage 1 Photo: Greg Hull © Chasing Light Media

Tour of Utah Stage 1 Photo: Kim Hull © Chasing Light Media
Chris Jones of United Healthcare, who celebrated his 34th birthday today, and Michael Torckler of Bissell Pro Cycling quickly formed the breakaway and held it until the riders hit the circuit in Cedar City.

Tour of Utah Stage 1 Breakaway Chris Jones, Michael Torckler Photo: Kim Hull © Chasing Light Media

Tour of Utah Stage 1 Greg Van Avermaet Photo: Kim Hull © Chasing Light Media
But, it was Greg Van Avermaet of BMC Racing that took Stage 1 of the 2013 Tour of Utah.

Tour of Utah Stage 1 Greg Van Avermaet Photo: Greg Hull © Chasing Light Media

Tour of Utah Stage 1 Greg Van Avermaet Photo: Greg Hull © Chasing Light Media
Tour of Utah Stage 1 podium
1 – Greg Van Avermaet
2 – Michael Matthews
3 – Ty Magner

Tour of Utah Stage 1 podium Photo: Greg Hull © Chasing Light Media
Tour of Utah Stage 1 Jerseys
Leader (yellow): Greg Van Avermaet
Sprint (purple): Michael Matthews
Mountains (blue): Michael Torkler
Aggressive (orange): Christopher Jones
Young Rider (lt blue): Tyler Magner
Stage 2: Panguitch to Torrey

Tour of Utah 2013 Stage 2 Stage 2 start in Panguitch Photo: Kim Hull © Chasing Light Media

Tour of Utah 2013 Stage 2 Photo Credit: Kim Hull © Chasing Light Media
Stage 2 began in Panguitch and soon joined State Route 12 for a journey through Time Scenic Byway.

Tour of Utah 2013 Stage 2 Photo Credit: Greg Hull © Chasing Light Media
A scenic ride took the riders through “Hogsback” and the high alpine lakes and streams of Boulder Mountain.
After 131 miles and 9,877 ft of elevation gain, the race finished in Torrey, in the shadow of Capitol Reef National Park.

Tour of Utah 2013 Stage 2 Photo Credit: Kim Hull © Chasing Light Media

Tour of Utah 2013 Stage 2 Photo Credit: Greg Hull © Chasing Light Media
Michael Matthews bested Greg Van Avermaet and Jasper Stuyven at the line for the stage 2 victory and took over the leader’s jersey with the win.

Michael Matthews, Tour of Utah 2013 Stage 2 Photo Credit: Greg Hull © Chasing Light Media
Tour of Utah Stage 2 podium
1 – Michael Matthews
2 – Greg Van Avermaet
3 – Jasper Stuyven

Tour of Utah 2013 Stage 2 podium Photo Credit: Greg Hull © Chasing Light Media
Tour of Utah Stage 2 Jerseys
Leader (yellow): Michael Matthews
Sprint (purple): Michael Matthews (worn by Greg Van Avermaet)
Mountains (blue): Michael Torkler
Aggressive (orange): Martin Wesemann
Young Rider (lt blue): Tyler Magner
Stage 3: Richfield to Payson

Michael Matthews, Tour of Utah 2013 Stage 3 Photo Credit: Greg Hull © Chasing Light Media

Tour of Utah 2013 Stage 3 start Photo Credit: Greg Hull © Chasing Light Media
After a stage 3 start in Richfield, the course set out for 100 miles of racing through the “Mormon Corridor” (Ephraim, Manti, Moroni).

Jens Voigt, Ryder Hesjedal, Greg Van Avermaet, Tour of Utah 2013 Stage 3 Photo Credit: Greg Hull © Chasing Light Media

Tyler Magner, Martin Wesseman, Tour of Utah 2013 Stage 3 Photo Credit: Greg Hull © Chasing Light Media
Following a climb up Mt Nebo (11,928 ft.), the highest mountain in the Wasatch Range, the riders began a 22-mile, 4000-foot descent into Payson.

Tour of Utah 2013 Stage 3 Photo Credit: Greg Hull © Chasing Light Media

Tour of Utah 2013 Stage 3 Photo Credit: Kim Hull © Chasing Light Media
Lachlan Morton walked away with the stage 3 win in Payson, with Greg Van Avermaet crossing second and Lucas Euser was third.

Tour of Utah 2013 Stage 3 Photo Credit: Kim Hull © Chasing Light Media

Lachlan Morton, Tour of Utah 2013 Stage 3 Photo Credit: Greg Hull © Chasing Light Media
Once again the leader’s jersey changed shoulders with Morton taking the top spot in the overall race.

Lachlan Morton, Tour of Utah 2013 Stage 3 Photo Credit: Greg Hull © Chasing Light Media
Tour of Utah Stage 3 podium
1 – Lachlan Morton
2 – Greg Van Avermaet
3 – Lucas Euser

Tour of Utah 2013 Stage 3 podium: Greg van Avermaet, Lachlan Morton, Lucas Euser Photo Credit: Greg Hull © Chasing Light Media
Tour of Utah Stage 3 Jerseys
Leader (yellow): Lachlan Morton
Sprint (purple): Greg Van Avermaet
Mountains (blue): Michael Torkler
Aggressive (orange): James Stemper
Young Rider (lt blue): Lachlan Morton (worn by Tsgabu Gebremaryam Grmay)

Lucas Euser, Tour of Utah 2013 Stage 3 Photo Credit: Greg Hull © Chasing Light Media
Stage 4: Salt Lake City circuit

Tour of Utah 2013 Stage 4, Photo Credit: Greg K. Hull © Chasing Light Media
Salt Lake City hosted a stage 4 circuit race with five laps through the city.
The stage began in front of the Utah State Capitol, then headed eastward along the top of the Avenues district.

Tour of Utah 2013 Stage 4 Photo Credit: Kim Hull © Chasing Light Media
Following a descent on Virginia Street, the riders passed by Reservoir Park and the University of Utah.in front of Brigham Young’s house

Tour of Utah 2013 Stage 4 Photo Credit: Kim Hull © Chasing Light Media

Tour of Utah 2013 Stage 4, Photo Credit: Greg K. Hull © Chasing Light Media
After passing by Brigham Young’s house, the riders faced an 11% climb up East Capitol Street toward the Capitol Building.

Tour of Utah 2013 Stage 4, Photo Credit: Greg K. Hull © Chasing Light Media
After the five lap, Michael Matthews claimed the victory. Greg Van Avermaet was second and Jasper Stuyven was third.

Michael Matthews wins Tour of Utah 2013 Stage 4 Photo Credit: Kim Hull © Chasing Light Media

Michael Matthews, Tour of Utah 2013 Stage 4 Photo Credit: Kim Hull © Chasing Light Media
Lachlan Morton held onto the overall race lead and the yellow jersey.

Tour of Utah 2013 Stage 4 Photo: Kim Hull © Chasing Light Media
Tour of Utah Stage 4 podium
1 – Michael Matthews
2 – Greg Van Avermaet
3 – Jasper Stuyven

Tour of Utah 2013 Stage 4, Photo Credit: Greg K. Hull © Chasing Light Media
Tour of Utah Stage 4 Jerseys
Leader (yellow): Lachlan Morton
Sprint (purple): Greg Van Avermaet
Mountains (blue): Michael Torkler
Aggressive (orange): Craig Lewis
Young Rider (lt blue): Lachlan Morton (worn by Tsgabu Gebremaryam Grmay)

Tour of Utah 2013 Stage 4, Photo Credit: Greg K. Hull © Chasing Light Media
Stage 5: Snowbasin to Snowbird
Stage 5 of the race began at Snowbasin with the riders facing 113 miles and 10,611 ft elevation gain. Along the way, the route wound through Henefer, Echo, Coalville, Hoytsville, and Wanship before taking the group up a long, gradual ascent of Brown’s Canyon and down into Park City. Leaving Park City, the riders climbed the 11% grade past the Ontario Mine and on to Guardsman’s Pass, before tackling a 4-mile descent passing Brighton and Solitude Ski Resorts.
Following a battle up Little Cottonwood Canyon, it was Chris Horner beating Tom Danielson at the line for the Queen Stage win and the overall race lead.

Chris Horner Tour of Utah 2013 Stage 5 Photo Credit: Greg Hull © Chasing Light Media

Chris Horner, Tom Danielson Tour of Utah 2013 Stage 5 Photo Credit: Greg Hull © Chasing Light Media
Tour of Utah Stage 5 podium
1 – Chris Horner
2 – Tom Danielson
3 – Yannick Eijssen

Michael Schaer, Tour of Utah 2013 Stage 5 Photo Credit: Kim Hull © Chasing Light Media

Chris Horner, Tour of Utah 2013 Stage 5 Photo Credit: Greg Hull © Chasing Light Media
Tour of Utah Stage 5 Jerseys
Leader (yellow): Chris Horner
Sprint (purple): Greg Van Avermaet
Mountains (blue): Michael Torkler
Aggressive (orange): Yannick Eijssen
Young Rider (lt blue): Lachlan Morton

George Bennett, Matthew Busche, Lucas Euser Tour of Utah 2013 Stage 5 Photo Credit: Kim Hull © Chasing Light Media
Stage 6: Park City to Park City

Chris Horner, Tour of Utah 2013 Stage 6 Photo: Greg K Hull ©Chasing Light Media

Tour of Utah 2013 Stage 6 stage start, Photo Credit: Greg K. Hull © Chasing Light Media

Tour of Utah 2013 Stage 6, Photo Credit: Greg K. Hull © Chasing Light Media
The final stage of the Tour of Utah 2013 began in downtown Park City.

Tour of Utah 2013 Stage 6 Breakaway Photo Credit: Kim Hull © Chasing Light Media
After leaving the city, the route climbed through Wolf Creek Ranch then crossed the Heber Valley through Heber City and Midway.

Tour of Utah 2013 Stage 6 Breakaway Photo Credit: Kim Hull © Chasing Light Media

Francisco Mancebo Tour of Utah 2013 Stage 6 Photo Credit: Kim Hull © Chasing Light Media
Following a climb to the base of Empire Pass, the riders then faced the 11% grade on the descent down the road passing Ontario Mine.

Tour of Utah 2013 Stage 6 Photo Credit: Kim Hull © Chasing Light Media
It was a battle to finish on lower Main Street in Park City, with Francisco Mancebo just edging out Janier Acevedo at the line.

Francisco Mancebo, Janier AcevedoTour of Utah 2013 Stage 6 Photo Credit: Kim Hull © Chasing Light Media

Tour of Utah 2013 Stage 6, Francisco Mancebo, 5 Hour Energy by Kenda Photo Credit: Greg K. Hull © Chasing Light Media
Tom Danielson came in third and took the overall Tour of Utah 2013 victory.

Tour of Utah 2013 Stage 6, Tommy Danielson, Garmin Sharp Photo: Greg K. Hull © Chasing Light Media

Tour of Utah 2013 Stage 6, Tommy Danielson, Garmin Sharp Photo: Greg K. Hull © Chasing Light Media

Tour of Utah 2013 Stage 6, Tommy Danielson, Garmin Sharp Barracuda Photo Credit: Greg K. Hull © Chasing Light Media
Tour of Utah Stage 6 podium
1 – Francisco Mancebo
2 – Janier Acevedo
3 – Tom Danielson

Tour of Utah 2013 Stage 6, Janier Acevedo, Francisco Mancebo, Tommy Danielson Photo Credit: Greg K. Hull © Chasing Light Media
Tour of Utah Stage 6 Jerseys
Leader (yellow): Tom Danielson
Sprint (purple): Michael Matthews
Mountains (blue): Michael Torkler
Aggressive (orange): Francisco Mancebo
Young Rider (lt blue): Lachlan Morton
Overall Team: RadioShack Leopard Trek

Michael Matthews, Lachlan Morton Tour of Utah 2013 Stage 6 Photo Credit: Kim Hull © Chasing Light Media

Tour of Utah 2013 Stage 6, Chris Horner, RadioShack Leopard Trek Photo: Greg K. Hull © Chasing Light Media