St. George • American Tejay van Garderen was the fastest man in St. George, leading the BMC Racing Team to a podium sweep in Monday’s Prologue at the 2018 Tour of Utah.
In broiling heat, van Garderen won the 5.3-kilometer tour opener in a time of 6 minutes, 27 seconds. Reigning U.S. Pro Individual Time Trial champion Joe Rosskopf finished four seconds back in second place. Switzerland’s Tom Bohli, who sat in the hot seat for most of the day, finished in third, six seconds off the pace.
“I love Utah, I have a long history here. This was my first professional victory in 2011 in the [Time Trial] at the Tour of Utah,” said van Garderen, who comes off one rest week after racing the Tour de France. He will wear the yellow jersey on Tuesday.
He added: “I just came here to have some fun, keep the body rolling. I told myself if there is a chance for a result, I’ll take it, and today was a great opportunity for that.”
In 2011, van Garderen finished fourth in the opening Prologue, which was held in Park City. Later that week he won the ITT on Stage 3 in Tooele, Utah.
A total of 36 riders are now separated by 20 seconds at the top of the standings going into Tuesday’s opening stage, in Cedar City.