Modesto, CA - February 17, 2009 – Finally, a day for the sprinters.
After completing one of the most defining stages of the 2009 Amgen Tour of California, which included the Sierra Road (Cat. 1) climb, a signature climb in the race, Thor Hushovd (NOR) of Cervelo Test Team brought the thunder and took Stage 3 on the streets of Modesto. Rabobank's Oscar Freire (ESP) and Team Columbia-Highroad’s Mark Renshaw (AUS) trailed in just behind for second and third, respectively.
Because of the decision to reverse the order of these two host cities, San Jose and Modesto, the peloton was hit hard early in Stage 3, just five miles into the race, when they took on the first King of the Mountains competition (KOM) Sierra Road (1,930 ft.).
As the field started up the climb just outside of San Jose, a small breakaway group of four riders including Bauke Mollema (Rabobank), Brian Vandborg (Liquigas), Jeffry Louder (BMC Racing Team) and Bradley White (OUCH p/b Maxxis), separated from the pack.
Rock Racing’s Francisco Mancebo (ESP), seemingly the man of the Amgen Tour of California so far, as he has worn every race leaders’ jersey, briefly joined the tete de course and took the first KOM of the day, but was soon absorbed back into the peloton.
For a third day in a row, inclimate weather conditions took a heavy toll on the riders. Mechanicals and accidents were the norm for the day. Most notable was the abandonment of Omer Klem (USA) of Bissell Pro Cycling Team and Ian MacGregor (USA) of Team Type 1, who both crashed out of the race.
The four man breakaway would build a maximum gap of five and a half minutes as they raced through tortuous Calaveras Road and over the second KOM climb of the day, Patterson Pass (Category 4), but the day would ultimately belong to the sprinters.
Jeff Louder and Bauke Mollema pushed themselves to their limit to stay away and actually led the peloton into the lone downtown circuit in Modesto, but they were merely delayed the inevitable.
With the race reduced to a single circuit due to the weather conditions, the sprinters teams took over. The Cervelo TestTeam lead-out train held up the best around the final corner and Thor Hushovd launched himself to a brilliant victory in front of a roaring crowd at the Modesto finish.
“My teammates, including Hayden Roulston (NZL), started with 1 kilometer to go, and then Dominique Rollin (CAN) pulled to just the last corner,” said Hushovd. “Then, [Brett] Lancaster (AUS) (of Cervelo Test Team) and I started to pass with only 150 meters to go, so our team did a great job today.”
Mark Cavendish (GBR) of Team Columbia-Highroad, one of the most well-known sprinters in the world, took fifth in the stage. “Mark kind of got knocked around coming out of the final corner, so I just kept going for the line,” said teammate Mark Renshaw, who took second on the day.
Results
1. Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervélo TestTeam
2. Oscar Freire (Spa) Rabobank
3. Mark Renshaw (Aus) Team Columbia - Highroad
4. Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin - Slipstream
5. Mark Cavendish (GBr) Team Columbia - Highroad
6. Brett Lancaster (Aus) Cervélo TestTeam
7. Lucas Sebastian Haedo (Arg) Colavita / Sutter Home p/b Cooking Light
8. Freddy Rodriguez (USA) Rock Racing
9. Markus Zberg (Swi) BMC Racing Team
10. Pedro Horrillo (Spa) Rabobank
General Classification After Stage 3
1. Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana
2. Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia - Highroad
3. David Zabriskie (USA) Garmin - Slipstream
4. Lance Armstrong (USA) Astana
5. Christopher Horner (USA) Astana
6. Janez Brajkovic (Slo) Astana
7. Thomas Lövkvist (Swe) Team Columbia - Highroad
8. José Luis Rubiera (Spa) Astana
9. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas
10. Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank
News and Noteworthy
- Overall race leader Levi Leipheimer had an innocuous crash at the 35-mile mark after clipping a teammate's wheel. "That was my fault; I just looked down for one second and it was windy and everybody moved left and right and next thing I know there was a touch of a wheel," commented Leipheimer. “It hurts but it happens. I didn’t break anything. I’ve done it before; it’s not big deal.”
- At the post-race press conference, once again a reporter took a shot at Lance Armstrong, but this time at his cancer foundation, LIVESTRONG. When asked about his feelings on the purported hijacking of cycling, the quintessential team sport, by a lone indivdual's foundation, Thor Hushovd's initial reply, "I don't understand your question."
- The final podium photo may look a bit askew. The Best Young Rider Jersey leader, Robert Gesink took the place of Rabobank teammate Oscar Friere, who was unable to make the presentation.
- Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer™ Most Courageous Rider Jersey was awarded to Bradley White (OUCH presented by Maxxis).
Next: Stage 4 - Merced to Clovis (115.4 miles/185.7 km)
"This brand new stage welcomes Merced and Clovis as Amgen Tour of California host cities and introduces the peloton to the grandiose Sierra Mountains. Although Stage 4 has a few sprints to contest, the climbers will assume the starring role while battling over four KOMs (“King of the Mountains” points competition) on the consistently hilly and technical terrain in breathtaking mountain scenery. Spectators can enjoy watching the gladiators joust on Highway 140, twice on Highway 49 and on Crane Valley Road. The finish is in Old Town Clovis, which showcases the beauty of Central California."
Photos: Leonard Basobas
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