Weeks removed from a highly successful Tour de France debut, Tom Danielson discovered the impact of his accomplishment during a recent training ride at Independence Pass in Colorado.

People recognized him and offered congratulations.

"To me, that's a really cool thing," Danielson said.

An impressive ninth-place finish in the Tour de France - the fourth best tour debut by an American - elevated his standing in the world of professional cycling and changed his professional life.

Now back home in Boulder, Colo., the 33-year-old Danielson is still soaking it all in.

"I'm really, really stoked," Danielson said in a recent telephone interview. "It's definitely the best result of my career. It's a big result in cycling. I'm really happy with how I raced. It couldn't have gone better for my first Tour de France."

An East Lyme native, Danielson had done grand tours before, but the Tour de France was nothing like he's ever experienced.

Pre-race festivities made Danielson reflect on his career. Injuries, illnesses and bad luck derailed other opportunities to compete in the Tour de France.

"It's been a long time coming for me," Danielson said. "A really magical moment for me was the team presentation. My wife and son and mother-in-law were all there. I really, at that point, didn't care what happened in the race. I was just really proud."

Then the insanity began.

Danielson waged a grueling daily battle with the world's top 200 cyclists, dodged crashes, avoided rabid spectators along the route and fought off aches and pains during the 21-stage spectacle.

"You could just feel that everybody was going full gas at every moment of the race," he said. "It really, really is another level of bike racing. I heard my whole career how crazy it was. But I always thought, it's the same guys, how different could it really be.

"But people really, really laid it on the line and if they had to break their arm in the process, guys are just willing to do it. It almost becomes like survival. If you don't take the risks and push and shove and stay up there, you're gone. You're going to be in one of those big crashes. ? It becomes insane."

A massive crash in the first stage that he fortunately avoided terrified him. And he lost valuable time.

Yet Danielson kept his sanity and survived. He remained consistent and focused on team goals, eventually helping Garmin-Cervelo win the team title.

As he tasted some early individual success, his confidence grew. He adjusted to the incredible competitive intensity and gradually worked his way up the general classification standings.

"A lot of times I'd go to bed and pinch myself and say 'holy (crap), I'm in this position,' " Danielson said. "That helped me ride smart."

He surged into the top 10 in the mountain stages and cemented his hold on ninth place.

Danielson rode into Paris on the final day as the top American rider. Along the way, he fell in love with the chaotic cycling circus.

"After I got into the race, I realized what form I was in," Danielson said. "I just really had to learn how to do it and honestly I got pretty good at it. I really loved it. The tour is probably my favorite race. The style suits me quite well."

The result elevated Danielson's status in the professional cycling world.

Rick Crawford, Danielson's coach for the last 10 years, called Danielson a late bloomer. He's watched the resilient Danielson suffer setbacks and grow into a stronger competitor.

"After this tour, the world is finally seeing Tom enter the top echelon of the sport," Crawford said. "He's been extremely consistent since mid-season last year, and with this tour, has shown that he's a contender to be reckoned with. He's avoided injury and sickness this season which is a huge factor. His family is very supportive and stable and has edified his resolve and fortitude to success."

Danielson is in a happy place right now. He's created a positive atmosphere and has a supportive family, including wife Stephanie and young son Steven. He's learned to deal with the burden of expectations; when legend Lance Armstrong retired, Danielson was considered the America's next great cyclist.

He'll be back competing this week at the Tour de Utah, where he's one of the headliners in the field. He plans to return to Connecticut in October for an event at Wayfarer Bicycle in New London.

Next year he hopes to improve on his finish at the Tour de France. His goal is to make the podium within the next five years.

"I've opened the door for a lot more possibilities for my career," Danielson said. "I'm really excited to finally live the dream."

Crawford has faith in his rising star. Danielson's result will serve as a huge confidence booster.

"Tom Danielson has the guns to win a grand tour," Crawford said. "Tom was in awe of his first Tour de France, which is usually the case. With this first one under his belt, he can attack the next ones. I've said it for a long time, when Tom actually believes he can win the Tour, he will win it."

g.keefe@theday.com