2014 Tour of Utah Stage 1: Hofland Takes Sprint Win and Leader’s Jersey – Results, Report, and Photos

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By Jared Eborn CEDAR CITY – The 10th edition of the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah rolled out in Southern Utah with arguably its most talented and star-laden field ever. And after 113.5 miles, it was Belkin-Pro Cycling’s Moreno Hofland who sprinted to victory and into the yellow jersey.

In front of a fast-charging peloton, Hofland (Netherland) followed a well-executed leadout train to outkick Team Smartstop’s Jure Kocjan (Slovenia) and Team Lampre-Merida’s Andrea Palini (Italy) for the Stage 1 win.

“It was my first race since I had a bad crash in the Tour of California (in May),” Holfand said. “So I didn’t know what to expect. But I felt very good and I am happy to get the win. It is my first time in a race leader’s jersey, so I am very happy.”

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2014 Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah Stage 1 by Dave Richards daverphoto.com

Hofland hadn’t raced at all since his crash at the Amgen Tour of California as he recovered from injury. Still, he said he recognized early on that he and his Belkin team were marked men.   “I think they all looked at us as a favorite,” Hofland said, “so we didn’t see anyone helping us out there.”

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Moreno Hofland (Belkin-Pro Cycling Team) wins Stage 1. Photo by Cottonsoxphotography.com