bicycle.net -- cycling news, product reviews, original essays, podcasts & video :: Tour de France 2009

OVERALL RACE LEADER LEVI LEIPHEIMER AND STAGE SIX WINNER JJ HAEDO LEAD PELOTON OF WORLD’S BEST CYCLISTS INTO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FOR SUNDAY’S AMGEN TOUR OF CALIFORNIA FINALE

105-mile Route from Santa Barbara to Santa Clarita Attracts Biggest Crowd Yet

SANTA CLARITA, CALIF., February 24, 2007 – The biggest Amgen Tour of California crowd to date witnessed Team CSC’s Juan Jose “J.J.” Haedo (ARG) win a sprint to the finish line in Santa Clarita to take his second stage, with overall race leader, Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team’s Levi Leipheimer (USA) close behind, maintaining possession of the Amgen Leader Jersey going into Sunday’s final stage in Long Beach, Calif.

Today’s Stage 6 of the Amgen Tour of California saw the toughest racing, the warmest weather and the biggest crowds of the seven racing days so far, as the peloton of world-class cyclists competed along a hilly route from Santa Barbara to Santa Clarita.

Haedo’s (ARG) sprint effort at the finish overtook T-Mobile Team’s Greg Henderson (NZL), Paolo Bettini (ITA), the world champion rider for Quick Step-Innergetic, Credit Agricole’s Thor Hushovd (NOR) and Predictor-Lotto’s Freddie Rodriguez (USA).

“I had to go really deep the whole day. I think it was the hardest day in the Amgen Tour of California for sure,” said Haedo. “It was a hard day for the sprinters to go over the climb; there was a lot of attacking. I made my way back to the big group before the third KOM [King of the Mountains], and then I tried to stay in the front with my team.”

Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team’s Levi Leipheimer (USA), the general classification leader since the Prologue in San Francisco seven days ago, retained the Amgen Leader Jersey after a 65-mile (105 km) breakaway spearheaded by Team CSC’s Stuart O’Grady (AUS), which earned him today’s Adobe Most Aggressive Rider Jersey.

“I don’t have the words to describe what my team went through today. They threw everything they had at us. I’ll be honest, it was stressful,” said Leipheimer.

According to CHP estimates, the crowd was the biggest of any in the 15 stages of the Amgen Tour of California since the race debuted last year.

“It’s exciting, and people were curious how we would do in our sophomore year. The CHP told us today that point to point it was the biggest stage we’ve had in our two years,” said Shawn Hunter, president of AEG Sports. “We’ve had some great racing out there. We’re very proud and more committed than ever. We love this sport.”

Pat McQuaid, president of Union Cycliste International (UCI), the international governing body of cycling, also was on hand for today’s stage.

“This race is bigger than it was last year. There are more people on the sidelines,” said McQuaid at a post-race press conference. “The organization has gotten bigger. I’m very happy with their [the organizers'] continued commitment to this event.”

In an example of the aggressive riding today, Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team’s George Hincapie (USA) and Tony Cruz (USA) touched wheels during an attack and crashed after only three miles (5 km) of racing. Hincapie, who won two stages in last year’s Amgen Tour of California and fourth place overall, finished the stage, but the team released a statement that he has been diagnosed with a broken left radius and will not participate in tomorrow’s final stage in Long Beach. Cruz came away with bruises and road rash, but no serious injuries.

Following the crash, the race continued to be marked by a succession of attacks from several teams to challenge Leipheimer, as well as other jersey holders. Credit Agricole’s Christophe Laurent (FRA) and Quick Step-Innergetic’s Jurgen Van de Walle (BEL) joined two other riders in an early breakaway to contest the California Tourism and Travel King of the Mountains (KOM) jersey in the final day of climbing. Van de Walle was slightly stronger today, but Laurent picked up enough points to retain the jersey.

“The climbing in this race was quite challenging, so it is very satisfying to win the King of the Mountains jersey,” said Laurent in a press conference today. “I am very happy to take the (KOM) jersey in such an important race.”

O’Grady’s breakaway group of nine contained two former time trial world champions, T-Mobile Team’s Michael Rogers (AUS) and Team Slipstream powered by Chipotle’s Danny Pate (USA). The gap grew as wide as three minutes, but relentless chasing by Discovery Channel Pro brought it to 1:15 as the riders entered the three 3.5-mile (5.6 km) finishing circuits in Santa Clarita.

As the peloton worked to overtake the breakaway during the three circuits, Health Net presented by Maxxis riders came to the front and helped the Discovery Channel Pro team close the gap. The breakaway was caught with less than two miles to go, ensuring Leipheimer will ride into Long Beach tomorrow wearing the leader jersey for the final day of racing.

The Union Bank of California Best Young Rider Jersey was awarded to Rabobank’s Robert Gesink (NED). Haedo retained the Herbalife Sprint Jersey after today’s race.

Title sponsor Amgen will celebrate awareness raised during the Breakaway from Cancerâ„¢ initiative this week.

“The Breakaway from Cancer™ initiative allows people to connect with others who are fighting this illness or those who have recovered from it. Hope, inspiration and a sense of well-being come from sharing experiences with one another,” said seven-time cancer survivor Heather Warrick of Santa Clarita.

Warrick was featured today in the ‘Breakaway Mile’ that took place at the finish line of the Amgen Tour of California, prior to the exciting conclusion of today’s professional race. The one-mile ride was led by Warrick who rode on a tandem bike paired with Amgen scientist Dr. Joe Miletick who plays a crucial role in developing innovative medicines. Following Warrick and Miletick was a peloton comprised of caregivers, family members and health care professionals who supported her during her win against cancer.

For the latest information on the Breakaway from Cancer initiative and ways to support those living with the illness, visit www.breakawayfromcancer.com.

STAGE 7 RACE FINALE TOMORROW:

Sunday, Feb. 25 – Long Beach (77.5 mi/124.7 km)

Start Time: 1 p.m. PST

Estimated Finish Time: 3:45-4:15 p.m. PST

The 2007 Amgen Tour of California champion will be crowned in Long Beach tomorrow. Stage 7 is flat, fast and will be a favorite with spectators, who can watch the best cyclists in the world battle each other throughout 10 laps on the circuitous course. Views of San Pedro Bay and the Pacific Ocean will be visible for the entire stage, which is part of the famous Long Beach Grand Prix CART racecar course, meaning the roads are wide and fast. Like the Grand Tours of Europe, winning the final stage of the 2007 Amgen Tour of California is a coveted prize.

Amgen Tour of California
Results
1. José Juan Haedo (Arg), CSC, 105.4mi in 3:56:04
2. Greg Henderson (NZl), T-Mobile, same time
3. Paolo Bettini (I), Quick Step-Innergetic, s.t.
4. Thor Hushovd (Nor), Crédit Agricole, s.t.
5. Fred Rodriguez (USA), Predictor-Lotto, s.t.
6. Robert Förster (G), Gerolsteiner, s.t.
7. Luca Paolini (I), Liquigas-Bianchi, s.t.
8. Alexander Candelario (USA), Jelly Belly, s.t.
9. Alejandro Acton (ARG), Colavita Olive Oil-Sutter Home, s.t.
10. Russell Downing (GB), Health Net-Maxxis, s.t.
11. Hilton Clarke (Aus), Navigators Insurance, s.t.
12. David Vitoria (Swi), BMC, s.t.
13. Bart Dockx (B), Predictor-Lotto, s.t.
14. Shawn Milne (USA), Health Net-Maxxis, s.t.
15. Bram De Groot (Nl), Rabobank, s.t.
16. Sergey Lagutin (UZB), Navigators Insurance, s.t.
17. Jurgen Van De Walle (B), Quick Step-Innergetic, s.t.
18. Taylor Tolleson (USA), Slipstream-Chipotle, s.t.
19. Benjamin (USA), Priority Health-Bissell, s.t.
20. Stuart O’Grady (Aus), CSC, s.t.
21. Jens Voigt (G), CSC, s.t.
22. Jackson Stewart (USA), BMC, s.t.
23. Veleriy Kobzarenko (Ukr), Navigators Insurance, s.t.
24. Cyril Lemoine (F), Crédit Agricole, s.t.
25. Levi Leipheimer (USA), Discovery Channel, s.t.
26. Theo Eltink (Nl), Rabobank, s.t.
27. Gerald Ciolek (G), T-Mobile, s.t.
28. Bobby Julich (USA), CSC, s.t.
29. Dimitri Fofonov (Kaz), Crédit Agricole, s.t.
30. Nicolas Gates (Aus), Predictor-Lotto, s.t.
31. Kim Kirchen (Lux), T-Mobile, s.t.
32. Chris Wherry (USA), Toyota United, s.t.
33. Lucas Euser (USA), Slipstream-Chipotle, s.t.
34. Jakob Piil (Dk), T-Mobile, s.t.
35. Oliver Zaugg (Swi), Gerolsteiner, s.t.
36. Ryder Hesjedal (Can), Health Net-Maxxis, s.t.
37. Brent Bookwalter (USA), U-23 National Team, s.t.
38. Sven Krauss (G), Gerolsteiner, s.t.
39. Mads Kaggestad (Nor), Crédit Agricole, s.t.
40. Brice Jones (USA), Jelly Belly, s.t.
41. Ben Day (Aus), Navigators Insurance, s.t.
42. Mauro Facci (I), Quick Step-Innergetic, s.t.
43. Christopher Horner (USA), Predictor-Lotto, s.t.
44. Mauro Da Dalto (I), Liquigas-Bianchi, s.t.
45. Josep Jufre Pou (Sp), Predictor-Lotto, s.t.
46. Peter Hatton (Aus), Colavita Olive Oil-Sutter Home, s.t.
47. Michael Barry (Can), T-Mobile, s.t.
48. Franco Pellizotti (I), Liquigas-Bianchi, s.t.
49. Jan Grischa Jan (G), Rabobank, s.t.
50. Michael Rogers (Aus), T-Mobile, s.t.
51. Bernhard Kohl (A), Gerolsteiner, s.t.
52. Alexandre Moos (Swi), BMC, s.t.
53. Mc Carty Jonathan Patrick (USA), Slipstream-Chipotle, s.t.
54. Christophe Laurent (F), Crédit Agricole, s.t.
55. Mario Aerts (B), Predictor-Lotto, s.t.
56. Christopher Baldwin (USA), Toyota United, s.t.
57. Bram Tankink (Nl), Quick Step-Innergetic, s.t.
58. Robert Gesink (Nl), Rabobank, s.t.
59. Thomas Danielson (USA), Discovery Channel, s.t.
60. Matthew Lloyd (Aus), Predictor-Lotto, s.t.
61. Mathew Hayman (Aus), Rabobank, s.t.
62. Nicolar Reistad (USA), Jelly Belly, s.t.
63. Fabian Wegmann (G), Gerolsteiner, s.t.
64. Philip Zajicek (USA), Navigators Insurance, s.t.
65. Anthony Colby (USA), Colavita Olive Oil-Sutter Home, s.t.
66. Jason McCartney (USA), Discovery Channel, s.t.
67. Volker Ordowski (G), Gerolsteiner, s.t.
68. Jason Donald (USA), Slipstream-Chipotle, s.t.
69. Christian Vande Velde (USA), CSC, s.t.
70. Rory Sutherland (Aus), Health Net-Maxxis, s.t.
71. Viktar Rapinski (Blr), Navigators Insurance, s.t.
72. Charly Wegelius (GB), Liquigas-Bianchi, s.t.
73. Ardila Cano Mauricio Alberto (Col), Rabobank, s.t.
74. Geert Verheyen (B), Quick Step-Innergetic, s.t.
75. Danny Pate (USA), Slipstream-Chipotle, s.t.
76. Kjell Carlstrømll (FIN), Liquigas-Bianchi, s.t.
77. Enrico Gasparotto (I), Liquigas-Bianchi, s.t.
78. William Frischkorn (USA), Slipstream-Chipotle, s.t.
79. Michael Rasmussen (Dk), Rabobank, s.t.
80. Thomas Peterson (USA), Slipstream-Chipotle, s.t.
81. Aaron Olsen (USA), T-Mobile, s.t.
82. Matteo Tosatto (I), Quick Step-Innergetic, s.t.
83. Andrew Bajadali (USA), Jelly Belly, s.t.
84. Manuel Quinziato (I), Liquigas-Bianchi, s.t.
85. Darren Lill (RSA), Navigators Insurance, s.t.
86. Steven Cozza (USA), Slipstream-Chipotle, s.t.
87. Karl Menzies (Aus), Health Net-Maxxis, s.t.
88. Peter Wrolich (A), Gerolsteiner, at 0:40
89. Karsten Kroon (Nl), CSC, s.t.
90. Fabian Cancellara (Swi), CSC, s.t.
91. George Hincapie (USA), Discovery Channel, s.t.
92. Kirk O’Bee (USA), Health Net-Maxxis, at 1:32
93. Timothy Johnson (USA), Health Net-Maxxis, at 2:09
94. Kyle Gritters (USA), Health Net-Maxxis, s.t.
95. Giovanni Visconti (I), Quick Step-Innergetic, s.t.
96. Ivan Basso (I), Discovery Channel, at 2:48
97. Brian Vandborg (Dk), Discovery Channel, at 7:02
98. Graeme Brown (Aus), Rabobank, at 13:11
99. Antonio Cruz (USA), Discovery Channel, s.t.
100. Sébastien Hinault (F), Crédit Agricole, s.t.
101. Christophe Kern (F), Crédit Agricole, s.t.
102. Marc Jean Marc (F), Crédit Agricole, s.t.
103. Nic Ingels (B), Predictor-Lotto, s.t.
104. Alan Glen Alan (NZl), Navigators Insurance, s.t.
105. Ivan Dominguez (CUB), Toyota United, s.t.
106. Justin England (USA), Toyota United, s.t.
107. Caleb Manion (USA), Toyota United, at 13:12
108. Sean Sullivan (Aus), Toyota United, s.t.
109. Henk Vogels (Aus), Toyota United, s.t.
110. Jeremy Powers (USA), Jelly Belly, s.t.
111. Edward King (USA), Priority Health-Bissell, s.t.
112. Garrett Peltonen (USA), Priority Health-Bissell, s.t.
113. Charles Dionne (Can), Colavita Olive Oil-Sutter Home, s.t.
114. Davide Frattini (I), Colavita Olive Oil-Sutter Home, s.t.
115. Tyler Wren (USA), Colavita Olive Oil-Sutter Home, s.t.
116. Ken Hanson (USA), BMC, at 13:13
117. Scott Nydam (USA), BMC, s.t.
118. Caleb Fairly (USA), U-23 National Team, s.t.
119. Bryce Mead (USA), Jelly Belly, at 20:14
120. Brian Dziewa (USA), Jelly Belly, s.t.
Adam Hansen (Aus), T-Mobile, s.t.
Michael Jones (USA), Jelly Belly, s.t.
Tom Zirbel (USA), Priority Health-Bissell, s.t.
Jonathan Garcia (USA), BMC, s.t.
Michael Sayers (USA), BMC, s.t.

Overall
1. Levi Leipheimer (USA), Discovery Channel, 22:17:56
2. Jens Voigt (G), CSC, at 0:21
3. Jason McCartney (USA), Discovery Channel, at 0:54
4. Bobby Julich (USA), CSC, at 1:06
5. Stuart O’Grady (Aus), CSC, at 1:16
6. Christian Vande Velde (USA), CSC, at 1:24
7. Michael Rogers (Aus), T-Mobile, at 1:32
8. Ben Day (Aus), Navigators Insurance, at 1:38
9. Franco Pellizotti (I), Liquigas-Bianchi, at 1:41
10. Ryder Hesjedal (Can), Health Net-Maxxis, at 1:57
11. Christopher Horner (USA), Predictor-Lotto, at 2:09
12. Kim Kirchen (Lux), T-Mobile, at 2:16
13. Sergey Lagutin (UZB), Navigators Insurance, s.t.
14. Rory Sutherland (Aus), Health Net-Maxxis, s.t.
15. Jakob Piil (Dk), T-Mobile, at 2:19
16. Dimitri Fofonov (Kaz), Crédit Agricole, at 2:21
17. Danny Pate (USA), Slipstream-Chipotle, at 2:31
18. Christopher Baldwin (USA), Toyota United, s.t.
19. Bram Tankink (Nl), Quick Step-Innergetic, at 2:37
20. Fabian Wegmann (G), Gerolsteiner, at 2:44
21. Robert Gesink (Nl), Rabobank, at 2:50
22. Mads Kaggestad (Nor), Crédit Agricole, at 2:54
23. Enrico Gasparotto (I), Liquigas-Bianchi, at 3:10
24. Anthony Colby (USA), Colavita Olive Oil-Sutter Home, s.t.
25. Josep Jufre Pou (Sp), Predictor-Lotto, at 3:11
26. Veleriy Kobzarenko (Ukr), Navigators Insurance, s.t.
27. Bram De Groot (Nl), Rabobank, at 3:19
28. Matthew Lloyd (Aus), Predictor-Lotto, at 3:31
29. Theo Eltink (Nl), Rabobank, at 3:35
30. Ardila Cano Mauricio Alberto (Col), Rabobank, at 3:36
31. Thomas Peterson (USA), Slipstream-Chipotle, at 3:43
32. Bernhard Kohl (A), Gerolsteiner, at 4:02
33. Paolo Bettini (I), Quick Step-Innergetic, at 4:27
34. Benjamin (USA), Priority Health-Bissell, at 4:28
35. Geert Verheyen (B), Quick Step-Innergetic, s.t.
36. George Hincapie (USA), Discovery Channel, at 4:35
37. Oliver Zaugg (Swi), Gerolsteiner, at 5:14
38. Jurgen Van De Walle (B), Quick Step-Innergetic, at 5:16
39. Cyril Lemoine (F), Crédit Agricole, at 5:26
40. Viktar Rapinski (Blr), Navigators Insurance, at 5:54
41. Fred Rodriguez (USA), Predictor-Lotto, at 5:58
42. Hilton Clarke (Aus), Navigators Insurance, at 6:02
43. Sven Krauss (G), Gerolsteiner, at 6:20
44. Darren Lill (RSA), Navigators Insurance, at 6:22
45. Christophe Laurent (F), Crédit Agricole, s.t.
46. Jackson Stewart (USA), BMC, at 6:23
47. Fabian Cancellara (Swi), CSC, at 6:40
48. Michael Barry (Can), T-Mobile, at 6:41
49. Mauro Facci (I), Quick Step-Innergetic, at 7:01
50. Mc Carty Jonathan Patrick (USA), Slipstream-Chipotle, at 7:10
51. Ivan Basso (I), Discovery Channel, at 7:14
52. Jason Donald (USA), Slipstream-Chipotle, at 7:30
53. Russell Downing (GB), Health Net-Maxxis, at 7:32
54. William Frischkorn (USA), Slipstream-Chipotle, at 7:42
55. Peter Hatton (Aus), Colavita Olive Oil-Sutter Home, at 7:47
56. David Vitoria (Swi), BMC, at 8:01
57. Karsten Kroon (Nl), CSC, at 8:12
58. Alexandre Moos (Swi), BMC, at 8:20
59. Mario Aerts (B), Predictor-Lotto, at 8:25
60. Timothy Johnson (USA), Health Net-Maxxis, at 8:35
61. Giovanni Visconti (I), Quick Step-Innergetic, at 8:58
62. Luca Paolini (I), Liquigas-Bianchi, at 9:19
63. Andrew Bajadali (USA), Jelly Belly, at 9:20
64. Lucas Euser (USA), Slipstream-Chipotle, at 9:55
65. Steven Cozza (USA), Slipstream-Chipotle, at 10:05
66. Aaron Olsen (USA), T-Mobile, at 10:19
67. Thomas Danielson (USA), Discovery Channel, at 11:31
68. Thor Hushovd (Nor), Crédit Agricole, at 11:39
69. Kirk O’Bee (USA), Health Net-Maxxis, at 11:52
70. Manuel Quinziato (I), Liquigas-Bianchi, at 12:09
71. Greg Henderson (NZl), T-Mobile, at 13:05
72. Gerald Ciolek (G), T-Mobile, at 13:59
73. Shawn Milne (USA), Health Net-Maxxis, at 14:22
74. Mauro Da Dalto (I), Liquigas-Bianchi, at 14:36
75. Karl Menzies (Aus), Health Net-Maxxis, at 14:37
76. Kjell Carlstrømll (FIN), Liquigas-Bianchi, at 15:29
77. Alan Glen Alan (NZl), Navigators Insurance, at 15:49
78. Justin England (USA), Toyota United, at 16:02
79. Chris Wherry (USA), Toyota United, at 16:19
80. Kyle Gritters (USA), Health Net-Maxxis, at 16:46
81. Brent Bookwalter (USA), U-23 National Team, at 16:57
82. José Juan Haedo (ARG), CSC, at 17:20
83. Jan Grischa Jan (G), Rabobank, at 18:00
84. Mathew Hayman (Aus), Rabobank, at 18:10
85. Philip Zajicek (USA), Navigators Insurance, at 18:30
86. Nicolar Reistad (USA), Jelly Belly, at 18:32
87. Christophe Kern (F), Crédit Agricole, at 18:40
88. Bart Dockx (B), Predictor-Lotto, at 18:41
89. Charly Wegelius (GB), Liquigas-Bianchi, at 19:01
90. Matteo Tosatto (I), Quick Step-Innergetic, at 19:54
91. Alexander Candelario (USA), Jelly Belly, at 20:04
92. Taylor Tolleson (USA), Slipstream-Chipotle, at 20:08
93. Nicolas Gates (Aus), Predictor-Lotto, at 20:40
94. Volker Ordowski (G), Gerolsteiner, at 20:50
95. Peter Wrolich (A), Gerolsteiner, at 22:32
96. Michael Rasmussen (Dk), Rabobank, at 22:33
97. Robert Förster (G), Gerolsteiner, at 23:37
98. Brice Jones (USA), Jelly Belly, at 24:08
99. Alejandro Acton (ARG), Colavita Olive Oil-Sutter Home, at 25:01
100. Brian Vandborg (Dk), Discovery Channel, at 25:18
101. Sébastien Hinault (F), Crédit Agricole, at 28:29
102. Marc Jean Marc (F), Crédit Agricole, at 29:00
103. Jeremy Powers (USA), Jelly Belly, at 29:42
104. Edward King (USA), Priority Health-Bissell, at 30:55
105. Antonio Cruz (USA), Discovery Channel, at 31:48
106. Graeme Brown (Aus), Rabobank, at 33:22
107. Ivan Dominguez (CUB), Toyota United, at 35:17
108. Nic Ingels (B), Predictor-Lotto, at 35:19
109. Scott Nydam (USA), BMC, at 35:54
110. Tyler Wren (USA), Colavita Olive Oil-Sutter Home, at 35:57
111. Henk Vogels (Aus), Toyota United, at 36:38
112. Charles Dionne (Can), Colavita Olive Oil-Sutter Home, at 37:03
113. Caleb Manion (USA), Toyota United, at 37:18
114. Sean Sullivan (Aus), Toyota United, at 38:37
115. Caleb Fairly (USA), U-23 National Team, at 39:49
116. Garrett Peltonen (USA), Priority Health-Bissell, at 40:57
117. Ken Hanson (USA), BMC, at 42:59
118. Davide Frattini (I), Colavita Olive Oil-Sutter Home, at 43:03

Share/Bookmark:
Categories: News, Races
Tags: