Clement Chevrier proved that he has a great future when he faced his first big test in the mountains while riding as a stiagiare for Trek in the Touf of Utah. The youngster claimed 17th on the steep Powder Mountain to take the best young rider's jersey.

The fourth stage at the Tour of Utah was remorseless from the drop of the flag.

Breakaways formed, were caught, and reformed: everyone wanted to be in the day’s break, and no one was happy with the mix going up the ride. The pace was high, the attacks relentless, until finally after 50 kilometers had been raced a large group formed, and when Ivan Basso jumped across with a Cannondale teammate, the gap established for good.

In the large 14-man group were Trek Factory Racing’s stagiaires Ryan Eastman and Alex Kirsch.

“It was fast the whole day," Clément Chevrier said. "Alain [Gallopin, director] had asked us to make the breakaway and on the very first climb Jens [Voigt] was in the front so it was good. But Cannondale had missed it, so it was single file for 20-30 kilometers after that, until the new breakaway formed. Then Garmin went to the front and pulled  - it was “on” all day.”

With Basso there, no one was letting this break go. The gap stabilized at one minute, no more, as kilometer after kilometer ticked over. The escape ended at the bottom of the second category two climb when Jens Voigt attacked with Riccardo Zoidl glued to his wheel. It was a planned tactic; unfortunately Zoidl could not grow the aperture Jens created, and it was a fleeting ride out front for the young Austrian Champion.

“Hayden [Roulston] and Calvin [Watson] did a great job to help keep Matthew, myself, and Riccardo in front," Chevrier said. "The plan was for Jens and Riccardo to attack at the bottom of the second climb, but Riccardo is not in top form, he is just back from his rest period. But it was good to try.”

Voigt, however, was not done. 

Somehow he clawed his way back to the leading peloton - now whittled to an elite group of 25 - before the bottom of the brutally steep Powder Mountain. As the climb began he made one final, classic ‘Jensie’ attack before he threw in the white towel.

The front group exploded in the first kilometers of the absurdly steep climb void of switchbacks. Attacking was impossible and unnecessary: the grades were so sharp and unforgiving it quickly sorted out the strongest. 

Tom Danielson (Garmin-Sharp) once again showed he has no match when climbing at altitude, and soloed to the win and into the yellow jersey.

One by one riders struggled in behind. Matthew Busche came across the line in 11th position (+2’56") and stagiaire Clément Chevrier, 22, a few minutes later for 17th place. It was enough for Chevrier to claim the Best Young Rider, and he will have the honor of wearing the jersey in stage five tomorrow.

“After it was just Matthew and myself and Jens came back and did a good job to help us keep good position," he said. "On the last climb you can only give your best – it is very steep and very straight. With a climb like this a big part is in your head, you have to stay focused on yourself.  It was one by one. It was too steep for any drafting with a group.

"I was never thinking about taking the jersey, just to do my best. It is good - for Trek, the team, for me. I will enjoy this jersey.”

The finish of stage four mirrored the new overall classification - Busche in 11th place and Chevrier in 17th - and the team looks next to stage five, another mountainous day.