Mt. Crested Butte, Colorado – Stage 2 of the 2012 USA Pro Challenge did not yield a podium result for the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team, but it did see the Team continue to get stronger as a unit on one of the shortest yet most punishing stages “America’s Race” presents. Half a world away at the 2012 Tour of Portugal, teamwork was also the key to Jason McCartney’s runaway solo win and the Team winning the Team Classification in the Stage 6 the prestigious event.

(Jason McCartney at USPro Crit earlier this season)

Team Director, Hendrik Redant, was most complementary of the riders’ effort in Portugal. The Belgian legend stated, “Today was another great day in the Tour of Portugal for Team UnitedHealthcare. After an amazing week in the yellow, blue and orange jerseys, the Team continues to listen well during our daily strategy meetings. Our plan today was to put one or more riders in the break. Three of our guys, Kai (Reus), Marc (de Maar) and Jason, made it in that break, a great and outstanding move, knowing that Marc could make a big gain in the GC.”

Redant continued, “The whole Team worked well. We knew there was a chance the breakaway could make it to the end when it reached six minutes and Jason attacked the group with 35km to go. He immediately got a gap and continued to work hard, fighting like a lion to stay away and go for the win. Meanwhile Kai and Marc worked hard to control the chase group, illustrating perfectly how teamwork makes all the difference.”

“Jason did the ride of his life today, winning the stage and also helping us win the Team Classification. We will celebrate this victory as it is another reward for a job well done!” Redant concluded.

General Manager and Team Director, Mike Tamayo, is also pleased with how the squad is performing both in Colorado and in Portugal. Recognizing the physical demands placed on his riders as they battle through two grueling races on separate continents, Tamayo stated, “On a finish like this at Mt. Crested Butte, you don’t know if you’ve got the legs for it until you’re on it and hope you can catch all of the other climbers off guard. We went in swinging, gave it our all with 1km to go, and the teamwork was excellent going into the end of the final climb. That’s how we’re approaching the Pro Challenge and everything we do.”

Photo by Jonathan Devich (epicimages.com)

Tamayo continued, “Over at the Tour of Portugal, the guys have won two stages, been in the top 5 several times, and have held the Team GC and KOM jersey for multiple days. Jason McCartney’s solo effort to win Stage 6 today was another punctuation mark on how the Team is working together to deliver our guys to the podium.”

“Our goal right now is to go after stages. We’re looking for another big week. Morale and confidence are still high and that’s what we want to see,” Tamayo concluded.

The Team continues racing tomorrow at the USA Pro Challenge and The Tour of Portugal.

TEAM UNITEDHEALTHCARE ROSTER FOR THE 2012 USA PRO CHALLENGE (August 20-26):

Rory Sutherland (USA)
Jeff Louder (USA)
Robert Förster (GER)
Jake Keough (USA)
Chris Jones (USA)
Ben Day (AUS)
Karl Menzies (AUS)
Danny Summerhill (USA)

TEAM UNITEDHEALTHCARE ROSTER FOR THE 2012 VOLTA A PORTUGAL (August 15-26):

Jonny Clarke (AUS)
Marc de Maar (CUR)
Davide Frattini (ITA)
Jason McCartney (USA)
Kai Reus (NED)
Jay Thomson (RSA)
Boy van Poppel (NED)
Brad White (USA)
Hilton Clarke (AUS)
Team Director: Hendrik Redant (BEL)
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