Colorado - Cannondale's Peter Sagan of Slovakia won the opening stage of the USA Pro Challenge on Monday, sprinting to the finish ahead of runner-up Greg Van Avermaet.
Sagan, the 2013 Tour de France sprint jersey winner, finished the 98km course in two hours, 26 minutes. He celebrated the circuit race win between Aspen to Snowmass Village by doing one of his trademark wheelies.
"Maybe I was the favorite for the people, but for me I'm very surprised. I should thank all my team-mates because they were on the front," said Sagan."We are very happy when we take the victory for the team."
Sagan was followed closely by Belgium's Van Avermaet (BMC) in second and American Kiel Reijnen (UnitedHealthcare).
"I attacked," Sagan said. "We were a good group with eight riders. When I was on the front nobody wanted to work with me. After, I said, 'it's better waiting for the group so I can do a good sprint' and I won."
There were no time bonuses given Monday so Sagan is tied on time with Van Avermaet and Reijnen.
France's Tony Gallopin finished fourth and Tejay van Garderen rounded out the top five.
Tour de France winner Chris Froome (Sky) finished 77th, 4:59 behind Sagan. Britain's Froome is racing in Colorado for the first time.
Tuesday's second stage is 203km from Aspen to Breckenridge.
Results on Monday in the 98km first stage of the USA Pro Challenge:
Stage 1
1. Peter Sagan (SVK-Cannondale) two hours, 26.00 minutes, 2. Greg Van Avermaet (Bel-BMC) s.t., 3. Kiel Reijnen (USA-UnitedHealthcare) s.t., 4. Tony Gallopin (FRA-RadioShack) s.t., 5. Tejay van Garderen (USA-BMC) s.t., 6. Damiano Caruso (IIA-Cannondale) s.t., 7. Rory Sutherland (AUS-Team Saxo) s.t., 8. Lucas Euser (USA-UnitedHealthcare) s.t., 9. Thomas Danielson (USA-Garmin-Sharp) s.t., 10. Christopher Baldwin (USA-Bissell) s.t.
Also: 77. Chris Froome (GBR-Sky) 4:59
Overall standings after Stage 1:
1. Peter Sagan (SVK-Cannondale) two hours, 26.00 minutes, 2. Greg Van Avermaet (Bel-BMC) s.t., 3. Kiel Reijnen (USA-UnitedHealthcare) s.t., 4. Tony Gallopin (FRA-RadioShack) s.t., 5. Tejay van Garderen (USA-BMC) s.t., 6. Damiano Caruso (IIA-Cannondale) s.t., 7. Rory Sutherland (AUS-Team Saxo) s.t., 8. Lucas Euser (USA-UnitedHealthcare) s.t., 9. Thomas Danielson (USA-Garmin-Sharp) s.t., 10. Christopher Baldwin (USA-Bissell) s.t.
Also: 77. Chris Froome (GBR-Sky) 4:59