Acevedo powers to victory

Colorado - Climbing specialist Janier Acevedo powered his way to victory in the fourth stage of the USA Pro Challenge on Thursday as Tejay van Garderen grabbed the overall leader's yellow jersey.

Colombia's Acevedo, of team Jamis-Hagens Berman, finished the 166km stage from Steamboat Springs to the ski resort of Beaver Creek in four hours, nine minutes and eight seconds.

After a steep climb, he edged out runner-up van Garderen (BMC Racing) by just a half wheel at the finish line.

Van Garderen took the yellow leader's jersey in the seven-day tour. Mathias Frank (BMC Racing) was third in the stage and Tom Danielson (Garmin-Sharp) finished fourth.

Van Garderen leads Frank in the overall standings by just four seconds. Acevedo is third, 30 seconds adrift and Danielson is fourth, 40 seconds behind.

Reigning Tour de France champion Chris Froome finished well back in Thursday's stage and is sitting in 87th overall, almost 35 minutes back of van Garderen.

The third USA Pro Challenge continues on Friday with the 16-kilometre stage five time trial at Vail Pass.

Results on Thursday in the 166-kilometre (103 mile) fourth stage of the USA Pro Challenge from Steamboat Springs to Beaver Creek:

Stage 4

1 Janier Acevedo (COL/Jamis-Hagens) four hours, nine minutes, eight seconds, 2. Tejay van Garderen (USA/BMC) s.t., 3. Mathias Frank (SUI/BMC) at 13 sec, 4. Thomas Danielson (USA/Garmin-Sharp) 0:22, 5. Gregory Brenes (CRC/Champion System) 1:07, 6. Damiano Caruso (ITA/Cannondale) 1:28, 7. Joshua Edmondson (GBR/Sky) s.t., 8. Lachlan David Morton (AUS/Garmin-Sharp) s.t., 9. Michael Schar (SUI/BMC) s.t., 10. Darwin Atapuma (COL/Colombia) s.t.

...

108. Chris Froome (GBR/Sky) 18:55

Overall standings after stage 4

1. Tejay van Garderen (USA/BMC) 15 hours, 44 minutes, 59 seconds, 2. Mathias Frank (SUI/BMC) at 4 sec, 3. Janier Acevedo (COL/Jamis-Hagens) 0:30, 4. Thomas Danielson (USA/Garmin-Sharp) 0:40, 5. Lachlan David Morton (AUS/Garmin-Sharp) 1:17, 6. Gregory Brenes (CRC/Champion System) 1:37, 7. Darwin Atapuma (COL/Colombia) 1:52, 8. Damiano Caruso (ITA/Cannondale) 01:58, 9. Rory Sutherland (AUS/Team Saxo) s.t., 10. Lucas Euser (USA/UnitedHealthcare) s.t.

...

87. Chris Froome (GBR/Sky) 34.52