Solvang, CA - February 20, 2009 – As he crossed the finish line, two-time Amgen Tour of California Champion, Levi Leipheimer, held up three fingers to signify a third consecutive tour victory.
Although there are still 2 days remaining in the 2009 edition of the race, Leipheimer insured another overall victory by taking today's critical Stage 6 Individual Time Trial. Leipheimer bested four-time U.S. National Individual Time Trial Champion David Zabriskie (USA) of Garmin-Slipstream by eight seconds and third placed finisher, Gustav Larsson (Team Saxo Bank), a former Swedish National Champion in the discipline, by 17 seconds.
“This is the fourth year for the Amgen Tour of California and every year this stage is important,” said Leipheimer. “The overall race this year has been tougher. We’ve had one more day before the time trial and we’ve had some bad weather; the race is split up this year. Of course we have two hard days to come, but today has made the biggest difference.”
"Fans lined up ten deep in some places along the 15-mile individual time trial route in Solvang. With the start and finish lines located only one block apart, the individual time trial provided fans with an ideal opportunity to watch riders both start and finish the race. The route showcased the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley, winding through quaint towns, vineyards, farms, and one short, but steep, climb up Ballard Canyon. The short, flat and fast time trial created a challenging test for the riders in a decisive day cycling."
Racing on a 15-mile course, Leipheimer rolled out of the start gate with confidence. Coming off a demanding and challenging stage on Thursday, most of the cyclists struggled to beat the 30-minute barrier. Of the early riders, Gustav Larsson (SWE) of Team Saxo Bank posted 30:57, which was good enough to keep the lead until Zabriskie and Leipheimer left the start house.
Zabriskie, the only American to win a stage of all three Grand Tours, whipped into the finish stretch and posted a seemingly untouchable 30:48.
“The course today for me, compared to last year, was much easier,” said Zabriskie. We had a rainy day before last year’s time trial, but today was a good day. It was the good kind of pain where you’re really enjoying it; it’s like energy, energy, energy. We had good weather, good people and good crowds. I had a good time.”
The most anticipated rider of the day, seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong (USA) of Astana came in 14th today with a time of 31:56, which put him in sixth place overall going into tomorrow’s stage.
Leipheimer hit the tape to post an amazing time of 30:40. Despite wind, turns and hills, he had powered his bike nearly 30 mph for a half hour and crushed the competition at every time split.
“I think it gets more and more special,” added Leipheimer with regards to winning the individual time trial for the third consecutive year. “In fact, this win is the most important, the most special to me because it was so tight. There were only eight seconds separating us. Dave is the best time trialist in the world, in the history of American cycling really, and for him to show up and be in great shape and be so tight with me, it makes this the most special of three victories.”
Results
1. Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana
2. David Zabriskie (USA) Garmin - Slipstream
3. Gustav Larsson (Swe) Team Saxo Bank
4. Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia - Highroad
5. Jens Voigt (Ger) Team Saxo Bank
6. George Hincapie (USA) Team Columbia - Highroad
7. Tom Zirbel (USA) Bissell Pro Cycling
8. Jason McCartney (USA) Team Saxo Bank
9. Stef Clement (Ned) Rabobank
10. Thomas Lövkvist (Swe) Team Columbia - Highroad
General Classification After Stage 6
1. Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana
2. David Zabriskie (USA) Garmin - Slipstream
3. Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia - Highroad
4. Jens Voigt (Ger) Team Saxo Bank
5. Thomas Lövkvist (Swe) Team Columbia - Highroad
6. Lance Armstrong (USA) Astana
7. Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank
8. Janez Brajkovic (Slo) Astana
9. Christopher Horner (USA) Astana
10. Francisco Mancebo (Spa) Rock Racing
News and Noteworthy
- Amgen's Breakaway from Cancer™ jersey went to George Hincapie (USA) of Team Columbia-Highroad today at the awards ceremony. Actor Evan Handler (Californication; Sex in the City) was on hand to present Hincapie the jersey.
“I love nothing better than to spend a gorgeous Friday afternoon surrounded by people in better physical condition than me,” said Handler. “The Amgen Tour of California time trial in Solvang provided me with the non plus ultra of that experience. It was an awe-inspiring race, on an awesome day.”
- For those of you who haven't met David Zabriskie or heard him speak before, no printed quote can ever capture the true flavor of the man. He is a shy person who does not like to talk about himself, but his unique cadence and delivery while speaking makes him one of the more interesting interviews. All in all, he is an incredibly funny person whether he intends to be or not.
On his chances of winning the Tour of California this year: “It would take a lot of screwing up on their (Astana’s) part. With the experience that they have and the depth of the team, they know what they’re doing. Like I said, it would take a huge screw up.”
On teammate Tom Peterson's Stage 2 win: “Tom Peterson winning a stage in the Amgen Tour of California is a big moral booster for us. He’s a good kid...he reminds me a lot of myself...shy...if people want to speak with him, sometimes I tell them to defer to me...I was very happy to see him win.”
- Ivan Basso (Liquigas) was missing in action today; a victim of missing his start time and therefore is out of the tour.
- Bob Cullinan does a great job of going after the unique story or interview on race day for his CycleTo.com website. But today, Bob became the unique story.
Someone needs to remind Bob that the "toy" in toy dog does not mean inanimate. While interviewing Odessa Gunn Leipheimer after Levi's successful ride, the Leipheimer's dog took exception to one of Bob's questions.
Though bloodied, Bob is recovering nicely. A PayPal site has been set up to take donations to help Bob in his recovery.
Next: Santa Clarita to Pasadena (88.9 miles/143 km)
"On the final day of the 2008 Amgen Tour of California, George Hincapie sprinted to victory from a small breakaway group that escaped during a rugged new route from Santa Clarita to Pasadena. This year, the peloton will face the same difficult, hilly and technical terrain on the penultimate day of the Tour. Stage 7, sponsored by Herbalife, opens with a gradual 25-mile climb out of Santa Clarita, through Acton, to the intersection of Angeles Forest Road. Showcasing the breathtaking beauty of the San Gabriel Mountains, the course continues uphill to the massive Millcreek Summit, which at 4906 feet is the second highest elevation ever reached in the Amgen Tour of California. What goes up must come down and the riders will scream down a 15-mile trek to Angeles Crest Highway before dropping precipitously to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Surrounded by mountains and the legendary stadium, the field will conclude the stage with five challenging circuits on a rolling five-mile circuit around the picturesque Rose Bowl."
Photos: Leonard Basobas (first-fourth); Kathleen King (fifth & close-up)
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