This week Jens Voigt is riding the final race of his long career and he kicked it off by a bang when he attacked in the finale of the first stage. Despite coming away empty-handed, the German was pleased with a good showing in what turned out to be a very hard stage.

Three tough, undulating circuits of just over 32 kilometers kicked off the sixth edition of the US Pro Challenge in Colorado.4

The short but intense 98-kilometer course, raced at an elevation over 2,000 meters, began with a seven-man breakaway exiting the peloton, but Cannondale led the chase and kept the leash short and taut.  

However, an attack by Jens Voigt on the final ascent with just over 10 kilometers remaining blew the race apart.  Voigt caught the last man standing from the original break and continued to push the accelerator over the top. He was eventually caught with seven kilometers left, but his move decimated the peloton and only 26 riders remained to battle the stage win and first leader’s jersey.

“The race went according to plan and we made sure no one dangerous was in the breakaway; then we were just hiding and waiting for the action to happen," he said. "We talked in the meeting on the bus before the stage that if one of us has the legs to give it a go on the last KOM climb. So I gave it a go, and I was clear for a moment, but there is not enough oxygen in the air and I think I went over my limit on the climb.

"After I had nothing to give anymore on the flat part. When I saw that the peloton was split up big time and that they were not going to stop when they caught me, I eased up a bit and let them catch me on the downhill so I could recover and finish with this group.”

With Voigt caught, relentless attacks ensued all the way to the finish in downtown Aspen. When the dust settled after the thrilling finale, Kiel Reijnen  (UnitedHealthcare) took the win ahead of Alex Howes (Garmin-Sharp), followed three seconds later by a small group with Matthew Busche, who finished in fifth place. 

Fränk Schleck, Riccardo Zoidl and Jens Voigt arrived with the rest of the front group a few seconds later.

“The finale was pretty hectic! After the descent from Snowmass, just before the critical left hand corner onto the small road, my chain got jammed," Busche said. "I had to fight from the back and that cost me some energy, and then on the top Jens attacked and everyone was on the limit. The group was only around 20-25 guys. Riccardo did a great job to cover moves with 5kms to go. When a rider from Novo Nordisk attacked there was a brief lull, and I hesitated. That was the moment to go, and if I would have gone that would have been it, but…

"Then everyone waited until the last kicker with 2k to go, and that is when Howes and Reijnen went. I followed them but I felt like I was going to throw up and not sure if I could push any harder. I guess I had nothing to lose, so I guess I should have just gone, and maybe I would have caught the guys in front. I missed the stage win, but I still had a good day, and hopefully this is a good sign for the week.”

Two weeks ago Matthew Busche completed the Tour of Utah fresh off his first ever Tour de France, and although he finished 11th overall, he was disappointed with his race. Today his feeling was much improved, and he hopes this will be an omen for the rest of the week.

“I started Utah okay but after the Tour de France I had zero reserves and by the end I was completely empty. And the entire last week it was the same, just empty, but in the last 48 hours I began to feel something coming back in my body. Today my heart was working again, so I hope that is a good sign.”

“Matthew did a very good move in the end," Voigt. "It was clever, smart, and he was right where ne needed to be and he gained some precious seconds and that’s good. We had all our important guys in the front, so it was a good day for us, a good start.”

And what more can we say about Voigt? He is in his final professional race, retirement looms in a week’s time, and if today is any indication he will end his career with all the panache he can muster – he will go out in true ‘Jensie” style.

“My first race of my last week – well right now I am still in the world of pain – and I am looking forward to Sunday night where I can have a quiet beer, some spare ribs, and enjoy my retirement.”