The 2012 Tour of Utah kicked off today in similar fashion to the 2011 version - sweltering heat, sunshine and a tough, mountainous 132-mile circuit centered around the town of Odgen. The similarities did not end there - Jesse Anthony, aiming to repeat his miraculous, stage-winning solo effort on the 2011 version of the Ogden circuit, donned the Most Aggressive Rider jersey after separating himself from the peloton and bridging across to a breakaway of five riders nearly five minutes up the road in a bold attempt to change the outcome of the race.  
 
"My legs felt really good today, and it seemed like a similar situation to last year," said Anthony. "I got the feeling that if the teams driving the chase were planning to ease up, and the breakaway was coming back slowly, it was a perfect opportunity to hit out, especially in such a long, hot race. I talked to Jonas (Carney, Performance Director), Mike Creed, and Alex Candelario about it and got the green light. Before the second time up the Trappers climb, things slowed down a bit, and I went for it. In this heat, everyone seemed happy to let me go."
 
Read a full race report and see a photo gallery from the race at  Optum Cycling.