Zajicek

By that time, Leipheimer was ahead with first-place finisher Philip Zajicek on his wheel.

Leipheimer, Armstrong take top two spots in Tour of the Gila 2009

Darren Lill and Phil Zajicek won back-to-back Gila Monster stages for the squad in 2009 and 2010, but both were ruled out of the roster this season due to UCI age restrictions.

Cantwell and Rolfe headline V Australia after Pegasus collapse 2011

While his 2011 team is still yet to have a name — that should be announced any day now, the title sponsor most likely from the United States — Zajicek has been with essentially the same outfit since the start of 2009.

A conversation with Phil Zajicek, the lone American on Pegasus finds a home 2010

Zajicek, more used to dishing the pain out from the front of the race, said at the finish that he is fighting the same infection that he has suffered from since early July and was headed to the hospital after the podium.

V Australia’s Jai Crawford wins final Tour of Utah stage, Levi Leipheimer seals overall victory 2010

But Zajicek, 31 years young and on the cusp of his twelfth season, is jumping about like a neo-pro.

A conversation with Phil Zajicek, the lone American on Pegasus finds a home 2010

Zajicek attributes much of his consistency in stage racing — and his capacity to also win stages when required — to his current coach, Dirk Friel, a renowned guru for those partial to an indoor trainer which, paradoxically, Zajicek is not.

A conversation with Phil Zajicek, the lone American on Pegasus finds a home 2010

Phil Zajicek (Fly V Australia) finished on the same time as his teammate Darren Lill, at 24 seconds, even after touching down.

Trek-Livestrong’s Taylor Phinney tops in Tour of Utah prologue 2010

Zajicek, de Maar and Sutherland have proven they can ride a hard crit at the front.

Levi Leipheimer versus the world at Tour of Utah 2010

The former has taken the final GC at the San Dimas Stage Race, Redlands Classic and Tour de Beauce (Day) and has won the Gila Monster stage the last two years (Zajicek and Lill).

Race Preview: Cascade Cycling Classic 2010

In its flagship group, once again, Zajicek will be the sole American although the program will have three U.S. recruits on its Continental team.

A conversation with Phil Zajicek, the lone American on Pegasus finds a home 2010