Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team missed out on the key move that produced eventual stage winner Tom Danielson (Garmin-Sharp-Barracuda), but GC contender Levi Leipheimer kept himself in the chasing peloton that missed catching Danielson by mere seconds at the finish line of the 210.1km stage 3 of USA Pro Challenge on Wednesday.
Damiano Caruso (Liquigas-Cannondale) and Jakob Fuglsang (Radioshack-Nissan) 3rd. Leipheimer finished 17th.
Danielson and Francisco Colorado (EPM-UNE Cycling Team) were battling ahead toward the summit of Category 1 Independence Pass when Danielson decided to go solo. The two riders had emerged from a large breakaway, and were holding on to a gap of less than three minutes.
Leipheimer remains in 4th place in the GC, 8" back. however, Christian Vande Velde (Garmin-Sharp-Barracuda) took over the leader's jersey from Tejay van Garderen (BMC Racing Team) after the stage. The two riders are tied for time in the GC.