Gretsch wins USA Cycling Challenge prologue

Germany's Patrick Gretsch captured the opening prologue of the inaugural USA Pro Cycling Challenge after edging out Christian Vande Velde. Reigning Tour de France champion Cadel Evans of Australia placed ninth, about eight seconds behind the German. Gretsch, who rides for California-based HTC-Highroad, completed the 8.3 kilometre course (5.2 mile) in Colorado Springs in eight minutes, 27.5 seconds. American Vande Velde, 35, trailed Gretsch by 1.71 seconds. Brent Bookwalter, of BMC Racing Team, was third, while Robert Forster, of UnitedHealthcare, placed fourth and German Jens Voigt, of Leopard Trek, rounded out the top five. Vande Velde, who finished fourth at the recent Tour of California, is a leading contender for the overall title. Gretsch will wear the race leader's jersey on Tuesday in the 159.8 kilometre Salida to Mt. Crested Butte stage one road race. There are 130 riders from seven teams in the seven-day race which finishes with Sunday's stage six -- a 114 kilometre road race from Golden to Denver.