Bikes, Personalities, and Scenes - 2009 Amgen Tour of California Stage 6

Photos: Leonard Basobas

On In Solvang - 2009 Amgen Tour of California Stage 6

Solvang, CA - February, 20, 2009 - With current race leader Levi Leipheimer (Astana) already taking note of the two riders immediately behind him in the General Classification, the two-time defending Amgen Tour of California Champion should be hard to beat on the 24 km course with which he is all too familiar.

"It’s going to be a big showdown tomorrow,” said Leipheimer during yesterday's podium presentation. “You have the three-time World Champion Michael Rogers and Dave Zabriskie, the National Champion, so it will be special."

But if you're looking for a darkhorse to claim the stage, three immediately come to mind and each sits within a minute of Leipheimer's lead.

It's strange to refer to a seven-time Tour de France Champion as a darkhorse, but that is exactly what Lance Armstrong (Astana) will be today. During the first part of his cycling career, Armstrong would have been an easy favorite over such a fast and relatively flat course. And although he is riding in support of Leipheimer, anything goes in these races against the clock.

A bit further down the list sit Ivan Basso (Liquigas) and Garmin-Slipstream's Tom Danielson. Both have had an extremely quite Tour of California, but each is fully capable of performing well in a time trial. Now whether you believe either is 42 seconds better than Leipheimer is a different story.

General Classification After Stage 5
1. Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana
2. Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia - Highroad 0.24
3. David Zabriskie (USA) Garmin - Slipstream 0.28
4. Lance Armstrong (USA) Astana 0.30
5. Christopher Horner (USA) Astana 0.34
6. Janez Brajkovic (Slo) Astana 0.38
7. Thomas Lövkvist (Swe) Team Columbia - Highroad
8. José Luis Rubiera (Spa) Astana
9. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas
10. Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank 0.39
11. Oscar Sevilla (Spa) Rock Racing
12. Jens Voigt (Ger) Team Saxo Bank 0.40
13. Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas 0.42
14. Thomas Danielson (USA) Garmin - Slipstream
15. Kevin Seeldraeyers (Bel) Quick Step 0.51
16. Francisco Mancebo (Spa) Rock Racing 0.53

At this time in the race, the start list is usually the reverse of the General Classification, but rather than having Astana teammates, in Horner and Armstrong, go back-to-back, Zabriskie and Armstrong have been flip-flopped in the order. Armstrong is now the second to last rider to go.

The temperatures are slated to reach 70 degrees and the weather is sunny and dry. The action kicks off at 12PM (PST).

Manxman Rules Robles - 2009 Amgen Tour of California Stage 5

Mark Cavendish Doubles Up, Leipheimer Maintains Lead Heading Into Solvang Time Trial


Paso Robles, CA - February 19, 2009 - For the first time in the race's short but storied history, the Amgen Tour of California welcomed the city of Paso Robles as a host city. Situated halfway between the Golden States' two main metropolises, San Francisco and Los Angeles, Paso Robles is the home to more than 200 wineries.


On another pristine day, the exuberant crowd was treated to vintage Mark Cavendish (Team Columbia-HighRoad), who roared across the line for his second consecutive stage win of the 2009 Amgen Tour of California. Tom Boonen (Quick Step) finished in second, and Rabobank's Pedro Horrillo took third.

The victory was especially satisfying for Team Columbia-High Road, which is based out of nearby San Luis Obispo.

“This stage win is massively important. Any stage in the Amgen Tour of California is big. It’s big for the team and it’s big for the sponsors, but it’s a bit more personal when it’s close to home. Every other stage is important, but this one is a bit more personal,” said Cavendish.

Although he won going away, it was a long, hard stage for Cavendish and the rest of the field. At approximately the 7-mile marker of the 134.3 mile route from Visalia to Paso Robles, a six-man break developed. The group, which included Jelly Belly's Matthew Crane (USA), Jeff Louder (USA) of Team BMC, Robert Gunn (AUS) of Fly V Australia Powered by Successful Living, Glen Chadwick (NZL) of Rock Racing and Cameron Evans (CAN) Ouch presented by Maxxis, steadily opened up a gap that extended out to 8 minutes midway through the race.

The Astana led peloton; however, kept the escapees at a manageable distance and the sprinters' teams made sure that the fast and flat finish in the San Joaquin Valley didn't go to waste. At about 50 miles to go, Quick Step, Team Columbia-HighRoad and Saxo Bank took over the front. The catch was finally made with less than three miles to go.

In the end, the Team Columbia-High Road lead-out train proved too much and Cavendish's accelerations too many.

“This was the day that I was planning on winning this year,” said Cavendish. “It was a hard day; harder than expected. It seems like they’ve replicated the Tour de France with the speed and the par course. It has been incredibly hard.”


It's a scary proposition, but one can't help but wonder just how good a vintage Mark Cavendish will be once the 23-year-old has had time to mature in this barrel called the professional peloton.

Results
1. Mark Cavendish (GBr) Team Columbia - High Road
2. Tom Boonen (Bel) Quick Step
3. Pedro Horrillo (Spa) Rabobank
4. Francesco Chicchi (Ita) Liquigas
5. Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervélo TestTeam
6. Lucas Sebastian Haedo (Arg) Colavita / Sutter Home presented by Cooking Light
7. Freddy Rodriguez (USA) Rock Racing
8. Martin Elmiger (Swi) AG2R La Mondiale
9. Bernard Sulzberger (Aus) Fly V Australia
10. Karl Menzies (Aus) OUCH presented By Maxxis


General Classification After Stage 5
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
- Heading into what will most likely be the decisive stage of the 2009 Amgen Tour of California, 15 riders sit within 1 minute of race leader Levi Leipheimer.

It’s going to be a big showdown tomorrow,” said two-time defending champion and overall leader Leipheimer. “You have the three-time World Champion Michael Rogers and Dave Zabriskie, the National Champion, so it will be special. I’m actually really looking forward to it. I feel good; I’ve felt great throughout the whole race. I feel pretty awesome about keeping the lead.”

- As violently as the world's top sprinters launch themselves toward the finish line, any rivalry between sprinters, Mark Cavendish and Tom Boonen, would be completely contrived. At the post-race press conference, it was evident that each has a healthy respect for what each other does and the two seemed more than just fast friends (yes, a horrible pun I'll admit).

- Though he has won the Maillot Vert at the Tour de France and is regarded as one of the world's top sprinters, Tom Boonen doesn't work on his sprint. He is a man for the Classics first and foremost.

- The recipient of the Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer™ Most Courageous Rider Jersey was Matthew Crane (USA) of Jelly Belly Pro Cycling


Next: Solvang (15 miles/24 km) - Individual Time Trial
"While cycling is a team sport, the time trial is an individual race against the clock. Stage races are won and lost in the time trial, thus Stage 6 will be a crucial test for the true contenders for overall victory at the Amgen Tour of California. The drama shall once again take place in Solvang, the idyllic Danish enclave that hosts training camps for ProTour teams and some of the largest cycling events in the U.S. The fast and primarily flat course that includes the short, steep Ballard Canyon climb showcases the beauty of the Santa Ynez Valley as it unfolds through quaint towns, vineyards and farms. With the start and finish located only one block apart, it’s an ideal stage for spectators to watch the best cyclists in the world rise to the challenge."

Photos: Leonard Basobas

Bikes, Personalities, and Scenes - 2009 Amgen Tour of California Stage 5

Photos: Leonard Basobas

Viva Visalia - 2009 Amgen Tour of California Stage 5

Visalia, CA - February 19, 2009 - Another sunny day, another starting host city.

"Located in the heart of the Central Valley, Visalia is in the center of the nation’s breadbasket where more than 250 commodities are grown. Nearby natural wonders abound with Visalia serving as the gateway to the Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks and Sequoia National Forest, spectacularly scenic year-round wonderlands and hubs of activity, including the world’s largest tree (General Sherman Tree), the deepest canyon in North America, the National Christmas Tree, the Trail of 100 Giants, and the highest peak in the continental U.S., Mt. Whitney. Visalia is the cultural, financial and employment center for a region that is home to half a million residents. With an emphasis on community and family, Visalia provides the benefits of a traditional hometown atmosphere and the amenities found in a flourishing urban center."

Having been to the Tour de France, back in 2003, I was constantly amazed by the support that even the tiniest town, either host or just along the route, would muster for the the Grand Boucle. In this respect, the Amgen Tour of California has been no different.

Each town has turned out and represented their respective communities well. And though the general race knowledge may be somewhat lagging for the average American fan who shows up to these events, they sound equally as passionate as their European counterparts.

Photo: Leonard Basobas

Dishing It Out In Clovis - 2009 Amgen Tour of California Stage 4

Clovis, CA - February 18, 2009 - On a day when the sun shone brightly on the Amgen Tour of California, Mark Cavendish (GBR) of Team Columbia-Highroad served it up during the final kilometers of a challenging Stage 4 course, which took the riders from Merced to Clovis, and included five King of the Mountain (KOM) and two sprint competitions.

Considered by many to be the fastest cyclist in the world, Cavendish narrowly held off a hard charging Tom Boonen (Quick Step) and Juan José Haedo (Team Saxo Bank) to take his first victory of the 2009 edition of the race.


“This win was massive for me and for the team,” said Cavendish. “I was really driven and I wanted this win bad. The team stayed so well together on every climb and it played into our ends today.”

The dry conditions provided a much-needed respite from the inclement weather that had plagued the race for the past three days. The peloton celebrated the climate change like a dog being let off the leash to frolic in the park. After two neutral laps in Merced, the riders did what came naturally; they raced fast and furiously.

Several early breakaway attempts faltered, but at the 26-mile mark, as the roads began to kick upward, a group featuring Jason McCartney (USA) of Saxo Bank, Serge Pauwels (BEL) of Cervelo Test Team, Rock Racing's Tyler Hamilton (USA) and Francisco Mancebo, Floyd Landis (OUCH presented Maxxis), and Rinaldo Nocentini (AG2R La Mondiale) finally made it off the front.

The group would eventually be pared down to the trio of McCartney, Hamilton, and Pauwels as the riders continued to traverse the slopes of the Sierra Mountains. Their lead quickly climbed to more than five minutes with 50 miles to go, but with the mountains and motivated sprinters behind, the breakaway would end up like the previous day’s attempt.

“I am disappointed, really disappointed that we didn’t hang on in the end. Every kilometer I was out in that breakaway, I thought we were going to stay away,” recounted Hamilton. I knew the sprinters would put on a chase. McCartney was really strong and great to have in the race today. I just needed a couple extra kilometers.”

With the sprinters’ teams organized, the break was caught just inside the city limits of Clovis. The Cervelo Test Team looked as if they might be able to deliver a double for Stage 3 winner, Thor Hushovd, but Cavendish lived up to his “fastest” moniker.

"I was looking after so well after the climbs; my team really put me in a perfect position,” said Cavendish. “Mark Renshaw (Team Columbia-Highroad) helped me; it was the first time we got the lead-out right."


Results
1. Mark Cavendish (GBr) Team Columbia - Highroad
2. Tom Boonen (Bel) Quick Step
3. Juan José Haedo (Arg) Team Saxo Bank
4. Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervélo TestTeam
5. Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin - Slipstream
6. Markus Zberg (Swi) BMC Racing Team
7. Freddy Rodriguez (USA) Rock Racing
8. Lucas Sebastian Haedo (Arg) Colavita / Sutter Home p/b Cooking Light
9. Bernard Sulzberger (Aus) Fly V Australia
10. Martin Elmiger (Swi) AG2R La Mondiale

General Classification After Stage 4
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
- One of the best quotes to come out of the post-race press conference was delivered by Mark Cavendish (Team Columbia-High Road). In response to the question of whether the 23-year-old feels that he should win every sprint, he responded, "Well...Yeah." Of course some in the press room were goading him to answer in the affirmative, but he further elaborated by pointing out that he "...May not be the strongest rider, or the most technically sound...Some people think I have a reputation for being cocky or arrogant, but I think I’m just a realist. I’m the first to say when I’m bad at something, but I’m also the first to say when I think I’m good at something. My goals are my goals, not dreams; they are targets and I’ll do whatever necessary to make those targets. So when somebody asks me if I’m the fastest, I think I am. But I need to be put in a position where I can finish it. I think I’m unrivaled.”

- The majestic views of the field flying along with the snow-capped Sierra Mountains in the backdrop amidst brilliant blue skies and sun made for a perfect day of racing.

“The scenery on the course is awesome,” said Leipheimer. “It’s very pretty and there were a ton of people, even in the snow, cheering for us. I think it’s great that the Amgen Tour of California can come to new places and spread the word.”

- The first dry day of the race was marred by serious injuries to three high-profile riders: Kim Kirchen (LUX) of Team Columbia-Highroad fractured his right clavicle and scapula; Oscar Friere (ESP) of Rabobank fractured two ribs on his left side; and Scott Nydam (USA) of the BMC Racing Team fractured his left clavicle.


- Apparently, the Triple is fairly big in Clovis. Maybe not as big as Hasselhoff's music is in Germany, but we're working on it; one t-shirt at a time. Many thanks to the beautiful Kristin Keim.


- The Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer™ Most Courageous Rider Jersey was awarded to Tyler Hamilton (Rock Racing).

- If you haven't already guessed, Stetson hats were given away as stage prizes.

- Lance Armstrong's one-of-a-kind Time Trial bike was recovered. The only thing missing from the police photo of the recovered bike was a pair of cider blocks.

Next: Stage 5 - Visalia to Paso Robles (134.3 miles/216.1 km)
"After spending a devilish day in the mountains, the riders might welcome the thought of long flat roads in Stage 5, sponsored by Rabobank, but by no means will it be easy. In fact, at more than 130 miles, this new course is the longest of the race and includes two sprints along the way. Starting with parade laps through downtown Visalia, the peloton will then pedal across the San Joaquin Valley floor. The riders will be without shelter from the wind, which bodes to make the first 100 miles difficult. After passing expansive cattle ranches, horse farms and vineyards, the final 30 miles of the route winds back to the coast over rolling hills that lead to a dandy dash for the cash in Paso Robles."

Photos: © Leonard Basobas

Wells Fargo Racing Team / C4 Moves Forward While Looking Back

C4 Racing Announces New Sponsors, Elite Women’s Program & Remembers Mark Pendleton


Walnut Creek, CA – As the 2008 racing season came to a close and the Wells Fargo Racing Team / C4 was celebrating its successes, tragedy struck when teammate Mark Pendleton was killed by a hit-and-run motorist who had crossed into the opposing lane of traffic and hit the cyclist head-on. Pendleton was heading back to Martinez after a training ride and was only a few miles from his home. He had already died when a volunteer fireman discovered him by chance. A reward of $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the guilty driver is being offered as part of a community effort that includes support by the City of Martinez.

Pendleton was a strong rider in his forties who loved to train hard and race with teammates. Fellow Wells Fargo rider John Hansen, whom Pendleton helped to an early ’08-season victory, remembers Pendleton as one who “was always ready to work for teammates and sacrifice his own results for the good of the squad.” Other teammates remembered Pendleton as one of those rare individuals who embodied both the qualities of a feisty competitor, as well as those of a kind and gracious person.

Mark Pendleton is survived by his wife and two sons. As part of Wells Fargo Racing Team / C4’s vow to keep the memory of Pendleton foremost in its minds and hearts heading into 2009, the team’s clothing will feature a graphical badge in his honor. Pendleton’s wife told members of the team that one of his favorite phrases was, “That’s what I’m talkin’ about!” The team has adopted this expression as its slogan, ever to remind them of their vibrant, likeable teammate and their desire to emulate him. The team has posted a link on their home page (www.c4racing.org) that directs to a PayPal donation page for those who wish to contribute to a college fund set up for the Pendleton sons.


Wells Fargo Private Bank will serve as C4 Racing title sponsor for a second straight year, with additional financial support provided by longtime sponsors VandenBerghe Properties and Allegiant Air, as well as new sponsors Creative Environments and ACCO Engineered Systems. The club also benefits from the generous support of Muir Orthopaedic Specialists, Olson Chiropractic, SMP Saddles, PersonalBest Products, Rudy Project, Trek Bicycles, Edge Composites, Peet's Coffee & Tea, OGIO, DeFeet, Base Performance Nutrition, Ritchey, SopoDesign and Encina Bicycle Center.

One of the most important developments for 2009 is the introduction of the team’s five-rider elite women’s squad, led by Kristin Keim. The men’s elite program continues to grow and will be led by pro mountain bike crossover Peter Graf and squad captain Kevin King, and the team’s elite masters roster has been bolstered by the addition of former national team alternate Clark Rasmussen.

In addition to the successes of its race squads, Wells Fargo Racing Team / C4 will continue to organize and promote the ever popular Mt Diablo Hill Climb time trial, successful in terms of public interest, local community support and rider participation at all levels.

Greg McCormac, Vice President and Senior Private Banker at title sponsor, Wells Fargo Private Bank, sees ongoing support of a cycling team as an important way to reach out to the community and increase brand awareness: “As wealth management professionals, my colleagues and I are all about partnering with individuals who want to put their money to work to for them, so that they can enjoy the best possible quality of life for their families. Recreational cycling and amateur bike racing are part of that quality lifestyle for many Northern California residents.”

Bikes, Personalities, and Scenes - 2009 Amgen Tour of California Stage 4

Photos: Leonard Basobas

Merced Here I Come - 2009 Amgen Tour of California Stage 4

Merced, CA - February 18, 2009 - As the single ring of the Triple covering the Amgen Tour of California, I sometimes have to make some difficult choices. Writing, shooting the race and editing photos takes a great deal of time and often has me reeling at the end of the day, and sometimes the following morning.

So its not often that I make it to both the start or the finish of each stage. In fact, I rarely make the start and just head to the finish.

But because I finally caught up to covering the race, I actually made it to the start of Stage 4 in Merced, CA. Gratefully, the "Golden State" complied with a sunny and gorgeous day.

"Located in the heart of California, Merced is a vital community bursting with promise and opportunities as their business and industrial climate fosters growth on the next wave of economic development. Proud of being a family-friendly community with quiet residential areas, Merced’s kinetic downtown is highlighted by the historic Merced Theatre, robust business and industrial districts, and the newest University of California campus. Merced’s spacious parks and nearby mountains, foothills, rivers and lakes provide a wealth of recreational possibilities."

The local community was out in full force to cheer on the peloton. As per race protocol, the riders wearing each of the specific leaders' jersey led the pack out of the starting area for two full neutral laps to warm up the legs on a day that would see the riders tackle the grandiose Sierra Mountains.


Triple Crankset T-Shirt Contest
Here's your opportunity to win a FREE Triple Crankset T-Shirt in the color of your choice. In the final photo, above, name the Astana rider to the right and tell us what he has become infamously known for doing after Stage 1 of the 2009 Amgen Tour of California?

Leave your answers in the comment section and we will announce the winner [the first person to answer both parts correctly], at the end of the Tour of California on February 23rd.

Photos: Leonard Basobas

Modesto Brings The Thunder - 2009 Amgen Tour of California Stage 3

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

Peterson Cruises On Historic Day - 2009 Amgen Tour of California Stage 2

Santa Cruz, CA - February 16, 2009 – It was a historic day in American cycling. The second stage of the Amgen Tour of California from Sausalito to Santa Cruz took the peloton across one of the most iconic structures in the United States, the Golden Gate Bridge. It was the first time a cycling race has ever crossed the 4,200-foot expanse.

The culmination of the stage also saw two first, as the city of Santa Cruz was introduced as a host city, and Garmin-Slipstream’s Thomas Peterson garnered his first professional win.

Enthusiastic crowds were on hand in Sausalito to send off the riders on yet another cold and rainy day. With both sides closed to its usual traffic, the bundled up riders sauntered over Golden Gate Bridge into San Francisco.


But as announcer Dave Towle is apt to say, “it was on like Donkey Kong,” soon after the historic crossing.

Despite, or perhaps because of, the weather conditions, an early breakaway of 10 riders was established less than 10 miles from the start, which included Santa Cruz native Ben Jacques-Maynes of BISSELL Pro Cycling, Jason McCartney (Team Saxo Bank), Steven Cozza, Thomas Peterson (Garmin - Slipstream), Carlos Barredo (Quick Step), Stef Clement, Grischa Niermann (Rabobank), Markus Zberg (BMC Racing Team), Cameron Evans (OUCH presented by Maxxis), and Valeriy Kobzarenko (Team Type 1).

Riding in support of race leader Francisco Mancebo (ESP), who took Stage 1 yesterday after a truly epic and heroic 100-mile breakaway, Rock Racing kept a steady tempo at the front of the peloton; the gap fluctuated but never exceeded five minutes.

The first King of the Mountains (KOM) climb of the day came at 46.7 miles on Tunitas Creek Road, a Category 2 climb of just over six miles that rises 1,562 feet. Carlos Barredo (ESP) of Quick Step set the tempo of the break on this climb, as they rode past the giant Redwood trees lining the street.

At the summit it was Steven Cozza (Garmin - Slipstream) who took the KOM points follwed by Jason Mccartney (Team Saxo Bank), Valeriy Kobzarenko (Team Type 1), Ben Jacques-Maynes (Bissell Pro Cycling) and Carlos Barredo (Quick Step).

At about 95 miles into the race Barredo attacked out of the break at the base of the second KOM of the day, Bonny Doon Road (Cat. 3). However, Thomas Peterson and Jason McCartney were quick to respond with a catch and pass of their own.

At the same time, two-time defending champion Levi Leipheimer (USA) of Astana Levi Leipheimer had launched himself out of the peloton; a move that would prove to be decisive on the day.

Picking off the previous members of the earlier break along the way, the Santa Rosa native quickly caught, passed and dropped all but Peterson, keeping the pressure on to gain maximum time before the Santa Cruz finish.

Later Ben Jacques-Maynes would describe being passed by Leipheimer on the slope of Bonny Doon Road as watching a motorcycle speed by, “only smaller.”

At the finish, an already excited crowd reached fever pitch as they heard of Leipheimer’s impending arrival. The finish of Stage 2, likewise, which took cyclists, a new city for the race, finished in front of record crowds. Fellow American Thomas Peterson of Garmin-Slipstream, best young rider overall in the 2006 Amgen Tour of California, sprinted to the finish to take the stage victory. Leipheimer would take second on the stage and a 24-second lead in the General Classification.


“I had it in my head that I was going to try to win today,” said Leipheimer. “I looked around and saw that people were at their limit, but I felt really strong and inspired at that moment, so I went for it.”


Results
1. Thomas Peterson (USA) Garmin - Slipstream
2. Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana
3. Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia - Highroad
4. Christopher Horner (USA) Astana
5. Oscar Sevilla (Spa) Rock Racing
6. Kevin Seeldraeyers (Bel) Quick Step
7. Thomas Danielson (USA) Garmin - Slipstream
8. Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank
9. Grischa Niermann (Ger) Rabobank
10. David Zabriskie (USA) Garmin - Slipstream



General Classification
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
- The rainy weather claimed a few victims of mechanicals and flat tires in the first half of the race, including a flat tire for Leipheimer about 25 miles into the race and a 15-rider crash, which included Lance Armstrong (USA) of Astana and Andy Jacques-Maynes (USA) of BISSELL Pro Cycling Team. All of the riders recovered from the crash, with the exception of Jacques-Maynes, who had to drop out of the race to seek medical attention.

- Lance Amstrong's minor crash with a moto-photo on the stage was apparently with his long-time photographer friend, Liz Kreutz.

- Thomas Peterson might give David Zabriskie a run for the Garmin-Slipstream “quote machine” title, if there was such a thing, as Peterson’s honest and laid back answers had the press conference room stitches. For instance, when asked what this win means to him at this stage in his career, Peterson's reply, "...uh, that there will be more."

- Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer™ Most Courageous Rider Jersey was awarded to local resident Ben Jacques-Maynes, to recognize his strong performance in the breakaway.

Next: Stage 3 – San Jose to Modesto (104.2 mi/167.7 km)
"During last year’s Amgen Tour of California, the peloton rode from Modesto to San Jose, but in 2009 they’ll reverse direction and pedal from San Jose to Modesto. That means the riders will be hit hard early when just five miles into Stage 3, they’ll face menacing Sierra Road (1930 feet of elevation), which has been a defining climb in previous years and is certain to inflict damage on the field once again. The racers will then speed through flat sections that twist and turn, including more than 40 switchbacks on Calaveras Road. After tackling the second major climb of the day, Patterson Pass, the stage will conclude with two laps around a downtown circuit in Modesto."

Photos: Leonard Basobas