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Gold Country Cyclist: [Sticky] Amgen 2009 Tour of California

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    Gold Country Cycling

    This years tour is shaping up to be great race. Sacramento offered a splendid backdrop to the Prologue. Check out our photos.

    Prologue - Sacramento offered a splendid backdrop to the Prologue which featured Lance Armstrong's continental race début and his continual fight against cancer.  We have posted our photos on Flickr.

  2. Stage One - Was a true show of courage and strength. Mancebo exerted his dominance with his breakaway shortly after leaving Davis. Despite the extremely weather conditions he held off the main chase group containing this years tours favorites.  Two riders bridged the gap once they race reached the 3 lap circuit in Santa Rose. It looked like his day was spoiled but was able to pull from his remaining reserves and won the bunch sprint in fine fashion. For Daily updates check out our site.
  3. Stage Two - After another grueling day in the rain Levi Leipheimer made his move for the overall lead on Bonny Doon Road. This 2,000 foot climb provided the ideal launching board for his next Tour of California Victory.  "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." Thomas Peterson of Garmin-Slipstream held Levi's wheel into Santa Cruz to take the stage when with a final sprint for the line.
  4. Stage Three - As anticipated Stage three proved to be a day for the sprinters. The morning had two categorized climbs allowing a breakaway to gain a 5 minute lead over the Peloton which they kept through most of the race. The break was caught shortly before the circuit allowing the sprinter to fight it out in a bunch sprint. Thor Hushovd of Cervelo Test Team came up with the goods and held of the field to take the win.
  5. Stage Four - Turned out not to be the decisive day for the overall General Classification that we had anticipated. Astana did a great job of controlling the attacks as the Peloton made its first real venture into the Sierra Nevada Mountains. With four King of the Mountain classified climbs stage 4 was filled with attacks as the peloton ventured through a snow covered landscape. A group of three rider; Jason McCartney SAX, Tyler Hamilton RRC and Serge Pauwels CTT made it through Teaford Saddle with a 5 minute gap and where chased all the way into Clovis by the Sprinters teammates.
  6. Stage Five - As anticipated stage five was a day for the sprinters. Departing from Visalia in the morning riders immediately went on the attack. A breakaway managed to escape and spent the rest of the day out front. Pieter Weening of Rabobank took the first sprint point and was second to Cameron Evan of OUCH at the second sprint point of this stage. The weather was clear blessing the Peloton with a pleasant ride into the heart of Paso Robles. With two Sprint Lines shortly before the finish the Pelotons pace was whipped up into a frenzy as they sprinters teams closed the gap on breakaway to allow for a bunch sprint to close the race.
  7. Stage Six - For the third consecutive year Levi Leipheimer won the time trial in Solvang with a blistering time of 30 minutes and 40 second. On the 15 mile course his average speed was just under 30 miles an hour. The race of truth once again showed us who has the best form and it is likely that Levi will wear yellow all the way into Escondido.
  8. Stage Seven - Millcreek Summit provided an ideal opportunity for a break to get away and that is just what happened when George Hincapie (USA) and Frank Schleck (Lux) attacked enabling a group of 7 to reach the summit ahead of the Peloton.  This group grew to 10 on the way into Pasadena, including  Chris Baldwin (USA) of Rock Racing, Pieter Weening (NED) of Rabobank, Addy Engels (NED) of Quick Step, Martin Elmiger (SUI) of AG2R-La Mondiale, Markus Zberg (SUI) of Team BMC, Christian Vande Velde (USA) of Garmin-Slipstream, Schleck, Roulston, Hincapie and Nocentini. Hincapie, attempting to repeat last year's performance, made multiple accelerations, but was not successful after numerous counter attacked that left him finishing in 7th. Weening, Nocentini and Roulston where able to create and maintain a gap on the final circuit and sprint it out at the line. Nocentini came up with the win.

    9. For additional updates and the final stage results check out our site. http://www.goldcountrycycling.com/2009_TOC/TOC8.html

    Please Post your favorite Tour of California moment

     

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