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Stage Four of the 2016 Tour of Utah will always have a nostalgic place in TJ Eisenhart's memory.

When he looks back at Thursday, the 22-year-old BMC Racing Team cyclist will be able to reminisce seeing family and friends waving cardboard cutouts of his face feet from the start line in front of the IM Flash Technologies building.

Eisenhart will be able to remember how he heard his name blasted on the speakers in his hometown, and cruised down the roads that helped him and his brother John fall in love with the sport.

"It's a pretty special day starting off only 5K from my house where I grew up, went to high school, where I've lived, where I've trained," Eisenhart said. "… it just gives you a little bit of extra motivation."

Heading into Stage Five and approaching the decisive weekend of his professional debut, Eisenhart has helped position BMC Racing Team for a strong general classification finish. Despite not having a defined role, Eisenhart has impressed team evaluators with a mentality and riding versatility not often seen at his age.

"TJ has really impressed us," BMC Sport Director Jackson Stewart said. "I came here, with not a high expectation — I knew he'd be motivated, it's him home race — but I've been extra impressed."

Wednesday's Stage Three was an important race for a stagiare, a cycling term for an amateur rider like Eisenhart who is trying out to make the pro team. Stewart said "he really showed he's one of the 10 strongest guys in this race," a key point for Eisenhart's case for remaining on the BMC team once the tour concludes.

Already a promising climber, Eisenhart was focused on Wednesday's climb up Mount Nebo. Eisenhart ended up leading the break at the point of ascension and setting the early pace for the peloton.

Originally planning to set up teammate Darwin Atapuma, Eisenhart ended up being in the lead chase group himself and finished seventh overall at the stage.

"What I like about TJ is he just has maybe the best attitude in the peloton," Stewart said. "He's a really positive guy, team-building guy, wiser than his age in a lot of ways. He came immediately to do his job … he never looked for himself."

There was a stretch on Mount Nebo, with 10 kilometers to go when Eisenhart was hitting a mental low point and didn't have water. But when he hit the top of another climb, he saw a family member with a water bottle in hand, ready to run alongside him. Forget the question of how exactly that family member got to a closed-off area; it was the type of moral support Eisenhart needed at that moment.

Heading into the second half of the race, Eisenhart will be focused on sharing this experience with family and helping BMC finish strong as a team.

"So far, it's just been an amazing experience being here with the team and being able to do my part, to show the world what I'm really capable of, that I'm not just a climber," Eisenhart. "My mom and dad have been at every start and finish … it's a huge a motivation and support. I will never forget this race, it's been one of the greatest experiences of my life." —

Thursday's result

Stage 4, a 96-mile ride from IM Flash Technologies to Kearns.

Top 10 finishers

1 » Travis McCabe, Holowesko/Citadel, 3:23.47

2 » Kiel Reijnen, Trek-Segafredo, 3:23.47

3 » Lucas Sebastian Haedo, Team Jamis, 3:23.47

4 » Marco Canola, UnitedHealthcare, 3:23.47

5 » Eric Young, Rally Cycling, 3:23.47

6 » Colin Joyce, Axeon Hagens Berman, 3:23.47

7 » Daniel Alexander Jaramillo Diez, UnitedHealthcare, 3:23.47

8 » Jacob Rathe, Jelly Belly, 3:23.47

9 » Rick Zabel, BMC Racing Team, 3:23.47

10 » Jonathan Dibbem, Cannondale-Drapac Pro Cycling, 3:23.47

Thursday » Antelope Island State Park to Bountiful, 116 miles

—

Overall leaders

1 » Morton, 14:54.40

2 » Costa, -0.07

3 » Talansky, -0.09

4 » Atapuma, -1.32

5 » Rosskopf, -1.32

6 » Britton, -1.32