For the third year in a row, Sausalito hosted the stage one start of the Tour of California. Also for the third year, the crowds were enormous in the quaint seaside town. As the team busses pulled into the staging area ahead of the race a few hours before start time, crowds were already on hand to seek autographs from their favorite riders. Many, like the Repulles family of Oakland, were watching the race for the first time. Daine Repulles said “it is exciting to see a strong American crowd on hand to watch these great athletes and support them like Europeans have for years.” Her son Sean, a recreational rider himself, found motivation after watching the elite riders go by. “This race makes me want to go out, get on my bike and ride!”

Others were returning to Sausalito after having attended the stage in previous years. The Clark family, from Tiberon, was on hand to take in the sights and sounds of the Tour as they had in previous years. Jim Clark, the patriarch of the family, said “I loved the crowd, being around the riders, the friendliness, the accessibility of the athletes. My daughter got to speak with Levi Leipheimer. He was so pleasant and nice, it was great!” His daughter Carrie agreed with her father. “Levi said hello to me and was very nice.” As for her favorite part of the race, Carrie kept it simple. “I like seeing the riders go really fast!” Maura, the matriarch of the clan replied, “The incredible speed amazes me, as well as the physical ability of the riders. Plus, they’re cute!” Like most fans at the race, the Clarks were interested in the American riders contesting the race.

Thom Hardy, a native from San Francisco, and an ex-pro rider himself, took a different approach as compared to previous years. “I have been to every edition of the race. I live in San Francisco, so I watched the prologue up to the Coit Tower the last few years. Last year for stage one I rode my bike up to Point Reyes station to watch the riders come by, and I only saw them for a brief moment. So this year I decided to come here to Sausalito to see the riders up close. It’s so much more exciting this way!

He continued, “I’m an ex-pro myself, so it reminds me of the old days, the twitching of the muscles, the butterflies you get before the race starts. Plus, I recognize many of the director sportifs, so it’s exciting to see guys like Henne Kuiper and Eric Breukink, as well as the guys who are actually racing.”

He was particularly impressed with the level of talent competing. “There’s so much depth in the field, it is really hard to pick a winner. Every team has an amazing line up. In fact, I realized just how good these guys are because one of them referred to today’s stage as a flat stage, and it has two huge climbs! Amazing!”

Finally, young Skyler Calandra explained his favorite part of the Tour of California. “My favorite part of the race are the team busses and the logos for the teams. I like to see the different designs the teams use. And would he like to someday become a rider himself? His answer came quickly. “No! I’d never want to be a rider because it hurts your legs!” For complete Tour of California coverage, stay tuned to europeloton.com and Bicycle.net throughout the week.