2016 Tour of Utah - Stage 6
We started at Snow Basin Ski Resort, site of the 2002 Winter Olympic Downhill events. From there the riders descend down Trapper’s Loop then worked eastward near Morgan, Utah eventually climbing up to East Canyon Reservoir. Next we rode eastward up a steep climb then down to Henefer, Utah and up to Echo Reservoir. Next was a climb up Brown’s Canyon then south to Park City Utah. The course rode through town then headed to the steep switchbacks of Guardsman’s Pass. Once the riders crested this tough climb, they descended at high speed down Big Cottonwood Canyon. At this point the rain kicked making for some very sketchy bike handling on the descent. After exiting the canyon, the riders headed south then turned up to start the brutally tough climb up Little Cottonwood Canyon to the finish at Snowbird Ski Resort. The boys were really suffering as the climb rises approximately 3,000 vertical feet in 6 miles length. All told, the stage was 114 miles long with 11,165 vertical feet of climbing. Not for the faint of heart that.
The peloton stretches out on the descent from Trappers Loop. Stage 6, 2016 Tour of Utah. Photo by Dave Richards, daverphoto.com
Working the Tour of Utah - this is what we do. Stage 6, 2016 Tour of Utah. Photo by Dave Richards, daverphoto.com
Zabel (BMC Racing) and Smith (One Pro Cycling) keep a watchful eye on Reijnen (Trek Segafredo). Stage 6, 2016 Tour of Utah. Photo by Dave Richards, daverphoto.com
Riders & shadows along the shores of East Canyon Reservoir. Stage 6, 2016 Tour of Utah. Photo by Dave Richards, daverphoto.com
The peloton rolls along East Canyon Reservoir. Stage 6, 2016 Tour of Utah. Photo by Dave Richards, daverphoto.com
The peloton stretches out as they approach the climb up to Henefer, Utah. Stage 6, 2016 Tour of Utah. Photo by Dave Richards, daverphoto.com
Tanner Putt (UHC) and Chris Horner (Lupus) lead a group on the climb to Henerfer, Utah. Stage 6, 2016 Tour of Utah. Photo by Dave Richards, daverphoto.com
Yellow jersey/falling down barn. Stage 6, 2016 Tour of Utah. Photo by Dave Richards, daverphoto.com
Orange triple scoop. Stage 6, 2016 Tour of Utah. Photo by Dave Richards, daverphoto.com
The peloton stretches out under sandstone outcroppings above Echo, Utah. Stage 6, 2016 Tour of Utah. Photo by Dave Richards, daverphoto.com
It's lunchtime. Stage 6, 2016 Tour of Utah. Photo by Dave Richards, daverphoto.com
Believe it or not, but this antique shop in an old barn is open for business only one weekend each year. Stage 6, 2016 Tour of Utah. Photo by Dave Richards, daverphoto.com
Sticky bottle handoff. Stage 6, 2016 Tour of Utah. Photo by Dave Richards, daverphoto.com
Some riders smile while others grimace. Stage 6, 2016 Tour of Utah. Photo by Dave Richards, daverphoto.com
Drillin' it! Stage 6, 2016 Tour of Utah. Photo by Dave Richards, daverphoto.com
The breakaway slips through the rocks near the town of Echo, Utah. Stage 6, 2016 Tour of Utah. Photo by Dave Richards, daverphoto.com
The peloton is chasing hard past rock formations near Echo, Utah. Stage 6, 2016 Tour of Utah. Photo by Dave Richards, daverphoto.com
Team Jelly Belly riders form a protective cocoon around their leader Lachlan Morton blocking the heavy winds during Stage 6, 2016 Tour of Utah. Photo by Dave Richards, daverphoto.com
Morton (Jelly Belly) adn Talansky (Cannondale Drapac) leave the climb past Brown's Canyon on the approach to Park City, Utah. Stage 6, 2016 Tour of Utah. Photo by Dave Richards, daverphoto.com
Storm clouds threathen rain as the leaders pass over the Guardsman's summit. Stage 6, 2016 Tour of Utah. Photo by Dave Richards, daverphoto.com
Superb bike handling skills on display as the riders negotiate a very tight turn in the rain near Storm Mountain while descending Big Cottonwood Canyon. Stage 6, 2016 Tour of Utah. Photo by Dave Richards, daverphoto.com
Riders face very slick tarmac while descending Big Cottonwood Canyon in the rain. Stage 6, 2016 Tour of Utah. Photo by Dave Richards, daverphoto.com
Spinning wheels reflected on the wet road during a rainsoaked descent down Big Cottonwood Canyon. Stage 6, 2016 Tour of Utah. Photo by Dave Richards, daverphoto.com
Wheels. Stage 6, 2016 Tour of Utah. Photo by Dave Richards, daverphoto.com
Crazy fans line the section known as Tanner's Flat on the steep climb up Little Cottonwood Canyon to the finish line at Snowbird Ski Resort. Stage 6, 2016 Tour of Utah. Photo by Dave Richards, daverphoto.com
Small in stature, big at heart. Stage 6, 2016 Tour of Utah. Photo by Dave Richards, daverphoto.com
Superman cheers on Atapuma (BMC Racing) along Tanner's Flat on the climb to Snowbird. Stage 6, 2016 Tour of Utah. Photo by Dave Richards, daverphoto.com
The final run in to the finish line at Snowbird Ski Resort. Stage 6, 2016 Tour of Utah. Photo by Dave Richards, daverphoto.com
Andrew Talansky (Cannondale Drapac) shakes his fist in victory after beating Atapuma (BMC Racing) to the line to win Stage 6, 2016 Tour of Utah. Photo by Dave Richards, daverphoto.com
Stage 6 winners L-R: 2nd place Atapuma (BMC Racing) 1st place Talansky (Cannondale Drapac) 3rd place Costa (Axeon Hagens Berman), 2016 Tour of Utah. Photo by Dave Richards, daverphoto.com