PROLOGUE - Amgen Tour of California - Levi Wins
With an estimated 300,000 fans lining the 1.9 mile Prologue course Levi Leipheimer wins for the second straight year. With near perfect weather (a little wind for the later riders) in San Francisco and incredible energy the 2nd Amgen Tour of California started with what can only be called as total perfection. Without any question, this race started with the most impressive rooster of professional riders ever to have raced on American soil. This tour could be actually give the Tour de France a run for it’s money.
The biggest and most pleasing surprise is from the riders who placed in 2nd & 3rd positions today. Benjamin Jacques-Maynes (from San Jose, CA.) riding for Priority Health Cycling Team presented by Bissel, started 2nd out of the block and put in an lighting fast time of 4:54.22 to get himself on the podium in 3rd. All the pressure today, to no ones surprise, was on the back of Levi Leipheimer (from Santa Rosa, CA.), riding for the Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team, and he delivered with the fastest time of 4:49.05. But the biggest surprise was Jason Donald (from Winter Park, CO.) riding with Team Slipstream powered by Chipotle. He is by all counts an unknown. But not anymore. He smoked the course with the 2nd fastest time of 4:50.97. He was 7th out of the block, and his time held until the last rider (Levi Leipheimer) surpassed it. Yes, this is what I call suspense.
The attention to detail in this race is impressive. Just take a look at the official website www.amgentourofcalifornia.com, it is amazing. With the live video feed, as well as the text updates as they happen. You can follow the tour from the comfort of your desk at work.
The best AMGEN Tour quotes of the day.
Tomorrow is Stage 1, and it is gearing up to be a battle of titans. Stage 1 will bring the cyclists 96.8 miles from Sausalito to Santa Rosa. In 2006, Santa Rosa set the mark for one of the largest and most enthusiastic crowds of the entire race. Best viewing spots will include: the start in Sausalito near Spinnaker restaurant; the finish on Third Street in Santa Rosa; the sprint lines in Point Reyes and Bodega Bay; the climb up Coleman Valley Road; and Occidental as the race comes down the hill into town. Levi Leipheimer will gunning for another win in Santa Rosa since it is his home town.
For full results, archived footage, GPS data, rider bios, course information, race play-by-play and more, please visit the official race Web site.
Remember: “Attitude is Everything” VeloGuy at Bicycle.net
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