Amgen Tour of CA 2008 - Stage 2 Team Reports
Team Comments and Race Photos...

The peloton heads out through the Napa valley wine region.
Photo © 2008 Action Images

Cancellara Defended his Second Place
Team CSC had Fabian Cancellara and Gustav Larsson up front during Wednesday's mountain stage in Tour of California. The 152-kilometer third stage was won by Robert Gesink (Rabobank) ahead of overall leader, Levi Leipheimer (Astana). But Cancellara impressively managed to maintain his overall second place.

During the final of three very tough climbs Gesink and Leipheimer tore them selves loose from the rest of the front group, but following the decent they had 20 kilometers of flat road until the finish line in San José.

At one point Leipheimer was almost one and a half minute ahead of the two Team CSC riders, who were working together with the rest of the group of 14, which had gathered behind Gesink and Leipheimer.

Fabian Cancellara - kiss left, kiss right. He's got it down perfect. Photo © 2008 Action Images

Cancellara had six seconds on Leipheimer ahead of the stage and he and his fellow pursuers almost caught up towards the end, but Gesink finished 19 seconds ahead of third place, Jurgen Vandewalle (Quick Step), who was the first of the pursuers to reach the line.

This means that Leipheimer now has 13 seconds on Cancellara ahead of Friday's 20-kilometer decisive time trial. Gustav Larsson is fifth overall.

No stranger to yellow jerseys... Cancellara adjusts his jersey on the podium. Photo © 2008 Action Images

"It was both a good and a bad day for us. Bad because we didn't managed to catch Leipheimer and Gesink, but good because we're still in the competition and we still have a good shot at the time trial. I was very satisfied with the way I did in the mountains today and I hope I'll be able to maintain this level. If that's possible we might be able to gain back some of the time during the time trial. This race is not over yet," said Cancellara after the stage.

A Kelly Benefit Strategies rider waits for the call to start. Photo © 2008 Action Images

Bissell Holds Strong in 5th Overall - Andy Jacques-Maynes in Top Ten
Richie England and Garrett Peltonen Finish in Top 20 with the Peloton’s Spring Giants-
 Bissell Pro Cycling held tough through sporadic showers during Stage Two’s 187.2 kms Santa Rosa to Sacramento jaunt to finish with the bunch and maintain their solid fifth place overall team standing. Positioning themselves safely in the front with cycling’s sprint giants, Richie England and Garrett Peltonen finished out the day in 14th and 15th respectively.

BPC remains the top ranked US Continental team in the 2008 Amgen Tour of California, well ahead of many European Pro Tour teams. The eight-man BPC team received the same finishing time as today’s stage winner, Tom Boonen, putting them just three seconds ahead of his squad, Team Quick-Step, in overall standings. Jacques-Maynes holds onto tenth in GC.

According to Director Sportiff, Glen Mitchell, “All the guys are feeling good. There seems to be a number of different cold and flu strains going around in the Peloton and we are keeping our fingers crossed that it stays at bay. Once one gets something, it tends to spread like wildfire.”

Added Team Manager, Mark Olson, “Spirits are high. Thus far, we’ve having an exceptional Tour.” He continued, “We did what we could today against the big boys and fact of the matter is, we were up there in good position, banging elbows with the world’s best sprinters. Glen and I really couldn’t ask for anything more.”

RANDOM TEAM NOTES: Team BISSELL’S Head Mechanic, Ben Oliver, was one of the unfortunate of the traveling cycling circus to have caught a nasty flu bug. During yesterday’s Stage from Sausalito to Santa Rosa, he spent the better part of the day with his head tucked into a make-shift ‘motion sickness’ bag. Santa Rosa Press Democrat’s Bob Padecky was along for the ride and journal' ed the days events, including Oliver’s ill-fate, in today’s paper for all reader’s to see. According to Team Mark Olson, Oliver, while not feeling 100%, is quickly improving.

Levi Leipheimer waves to his fans, Levi is intent to send a message to ASO for Astana being left out of the Tour. Photo © 2008 Action Images

Toyota/United Pro
Dominique Rollin places 7th in Stage 2 of the Tour of California .
The Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team opened the windows to stage two with a soggy bottomed race day that began in Santa Rosa . The team was raring to go after a daring finish by Dominique Rollin in Stage 1. Pettyjohn said, “After our strong finish yesterday, I think we again are in a great position to finish strongly in the Santa Rosa to Sacramento stage. This stage suits our game plan for a strong finish today.” The finish was fast and furious and once again Rollin, made a good showing coming in 7th place.

The world’s best sprinters all had a shot to control this race as the stage was wet from start to finish and the speeds were fairly slow until the final with the racers finishing in just over 5 hours. The final 2 mile lap of the race in the capital of California proved to be exciting indeed. The crowds again were double the size of last year, with the riders feeding off the energy of the fans as they finished their long day sprinting at over 40MPH.

Tomorrow’s stage will prove difficult with Mt. Hamilton looming large with the 4000 foot climb for the boys in red, white, and blue. Ben Day is looking to improve his overall position in the general classification for the team with a strong showing tomorrow as the riders make their way to San Jose from Modesto . Henk Vogels on tomorrows race said, “Because the riders like to start the season in a place like California where the racing isn’t that hard; this year for some reason they put Mt. Hamilton in and I don’t understand the reason for that, I don’t understand why they did that, no rider really wants to go up climbs that long in early February but that’s the way it goes.” It will prove another long ride in the 8 day, and yes we will only be halfway through the California experience after tomorrow’s ride. Let’s hope for some drier conditions.

Last minute helmet adjustments before the prologue. Photo © 2008 Action Images

Health Net Comments
First GC battle to begin today at Amgen Tour of California
The prologue and first two stages of the Amgen Tour of California were merely a warm-up for the riders. Today, the battle for the overall title of the Amgen Tour of California begins with a bang.

Stage 3 features not only a return to the leg-breaking Sierra Road climb, but the introduction of the first Hors Categorie climb in the history of the Amgen Tour of California, Mt. Hamilton, which tops out over 4,200 feet. Despite sitting 37th and 45th overall respectively, Rory Sutherland and Phil Zajicek of the Health Net Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis are both within 0:15 of the prohibitive overall race favorite, Levi Leipheimer (Astana). But today's secret weapon for Health Net Presented by Maxxis may actually young Matt Crane, who sits 25th overall, 0:10 behind Leipheimer. More importantly, he is currently 4th overall in the best young rider competition, just 0:10 out of the leadership in that category. Crane, who is a solid all-around rider though not known as a sprinter, showed some good form in Stage 2, mixing it up in the bunch to earn a 13th place in yesterday's sprint finale', won by former world champion Tom Boonen (Quick Step).

Health Net in Flight. Photo © 2008 Action Images

Lady in waiting, Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast await the call to the start gate. Photo © 2008 Action Images

Amgen Tour of California - Race Release
SACRAMENTO, February 19, 2008 –The second stage of the 2008 Amgen Tour of California saw the emergence of a young star in Tyler Farrar (USA) of Slipstream Chipotle Presented by H30 and the return of old warrior in Mario Cipollini (ITA) of Rock Racing. But the wet and slippery streets of the State Capitol belonged to 2005 World Champion and Belgian superstar Tom Boonen (BEL) QuickStep, who claimed today's stage victory. Stage 2, which took cyclists from Santa Rosa to Sacramento, finished in front of record crowds, taking the total attendance number for the first three days of the race to 425,000, with five days left to go. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was on hand at the official post-race ceremonies to help award the jerseys.

“The Amgen Tour of California is a wonderful experience for California and is great for our tourism,” declared Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger after Stage 2, where he helped present leader jerseys. “The Amgen Tour of California showcases the state, which has some of the most beautiful places in the world. Thank you to the enthusiastic crowd for being here and being such great fans.”

Having spent most of the nearly 116-mile race chasing one rider, Scott Nydam (USA) of Team BMC, the field roared into Sacramento resigned to settle the matter in a bunch sprint. As the peloton poured around the final corner, Gerald Ciolek (GER) of High Road, wearing the Union Bank of California Best Young Rider Jersey, fired off the front and opened a massive gap. Reigning World Champion Paolo Bettini (ITA) of QuickStep charged after Ciolek with Boonen in tow. When Boonen finally broke loose, he focused on the legendary Cipollini, who came out of a three-year retirement to race for the American Rock Racing team.

“Racing in America seems less stressful; people approach the race differently,” said Boonen. “I think we’ll be coming back to the Amgen Tour of California for the next couple of years.”

Despite Boonen’s impressive win, it was U.S. riders Farrar and Nydam that took the limelight on today’s stage. Local rider Nydam, who lives in Santa Rosa, Calif., provided a bright spot on a rainy day for the enthusiastic fans who braved the weather to come out and cheer.

Imitating the Stage 1 performance of his teammate Jackson Stewart (USA), Nydam broke away from the field and rode solo after only 10 miles, gaining a lead that grew to as much as 15 minutes. Yet, as the peloton went into the final flats of the stage, he was reeled in and finally caught 15 miles from the finish after a brave 90-mile bid for victory.

Then, the rush began as the cyclists started on the three finishing circuit laps in downtown Sacramento. The roar of spectators, which were ten deep at points along the route, seemed to notch up the speed of the field. With two laps to go, Team CSC, which had riders that won each of the first two days and held the overall lead, suffered a catastrophe when its sprinter J.J. Haedo (ARG), who won Stage 2 in 2007 and captured the first stage in Santa Rosa this year, punctured a tire. Unselfishly, overall race leader Fabian Cancellara (SUI) of Team CSC gave his wheel to Haedo, and remarkably Haedo caught up and surged to the front to contest the sprint, finishing in an impressive fifth place, just behind Mark Cavendish (GBR) of High Road.

Farrar, who finished third in Sunday’s Prologue, moved up the general classification rankings into the Amgen Leader Jersey, replacing Cancellara.

“This win probably tops any win I’ve ever had; it’s a pretty big deal for me,” said Farrar. “I’m ecstatic to be racing in America, and to be wearing the Amgen Leader Jersey is a big deal for me and for the team.”

Stewart held onto the California Travel & Tourism Commission King of the Mountain (KOM) Jersey for a second day; however he turned over the Tachyon Most Aggressive Jersey to Nydam. The Herbalife Sprint Jersey went to Heinrich Haussler (GER) of Gerolsteiner. Ciolek will continue to wear the Union Bank of California Best Young Rider Jersey for a second day. Team High Road assumed the overall team classification lead.

The top-three general classification leaders after today are Farrar in first, Cancellara in second and Boonen in third.

“All of the stages thus far on the Amgen Tour of California have been packed with spectators, and we are delighted with the overall response to the race and athletes,” said Andrew Messick, president, AEG Sports. “As the race progresses, we are seeing everything we hoped for, including the emergence of new, young American talent like Farrar; seeing cyclists who are in their prime like Leipheimer and Boonen; and world-renowned cyclists showing us what the best of the best looks like, like Cipollini. It’s all happening at our race and that is fantastic.”

As part of Amgen’s effort to celebrate cancer survivors and continue to raise awareness about its Breakaway from Cancer™ initiative, the Sacramento finish featured a Breakaway Mile that touched and inspired the Sacramento crowd. The one-mile honorary ride was led by local lung and breast cancer survivor Stephanie Hineline. She was joined by the team of people who supported her during her battle, including her daughter, brother and former boss, retired Senator Deborah Ortiz, as well as Amgen scientist David Lacey, who plays a crucial role in developing innovative medicines. Participants also rode in memory of Stephanie’s husband, Marty, who lost a two-and-one-half year battle with bladder cancer last spring.

Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer initiative raises awareness of the valuable services and programs, provided free of charge, that help people living with cancer.

“Amgen’s sponsorship of the Amgen Tour of California provides us an opportunity to further support the millions of people affected by cancer,” said Cynthia Schwalm, vice president and general manager, Amgen Oncology. “Today, we were pleased to honor cancer survivors at the State Capitol. Through Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer initiative, we’re saluting survivors across the nation and raising awareness of the vital services provided by our nonprofit partners, The Wellness Community and National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship.”

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

TIMELINE/ACTIVITIES IN SOLVANG on FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2008
10:30am-4:00pm FREE LIFESTYLE FESTIVAL Copenhagen Drive & Second Street & Solvang Park. Public Welcome! Free health and fitness tests; exhibit booths, info and items from Tour sponsors; opportunities to purchase race merchandise; Kid's Zone; BMX stunt riders; bicycle safety booth, free local area info; Damon Castillo Band performance plus live-action race viewing on Festival Big Screen TV

STARTING LINE STAGE (Mission Drive & First Street, Solvang Park, Public Welcome)
11:00am “Race of Truth” Amateur Time Trial Start Ceremonies; remarks by local dignitaries and event sponsor Kathy Brown/Kalyra Women's Cycling Team; national anthem sung by Solvang School students.

11:15am “Race of Truth” Amateur Time Trial Fundraiser—28 non-pro riders from around the country test their skills on the same course as the pros. ($1,000 entry fee). Proceeds benefit the Solvang Local Organizing Committee to help defray costs of hosting the Tour.

11:45am Starting Line Ceremonies/Welcome to Solvang by Four Generations Danish-American Citizens; followed by Mayor Linda Jackson, City Manager Brad Vidro; Local Organizing Committee Co- Chairs Carol Petersen & Max Hanberg; Tracy Farhad, Solvang Conference & Visitors Bureau Executive Director; Linda Johansen, President, Solvang Chamber of Commerce. Rider Intros & Father Michael Mahoney, Blessing of Riders; American Legion Color Guard; National Anthem Singer: Charyl Benton.

Noon Starting Gun—first rider out (last ranked rider goes first, then riders every 60 seconds)
2:10pm—estimated start of last rider (top ranked cyclist of race as of 2/21/08)

FINISH LINE STAGE (Copenhagen Drive & First Street, Public Welcome)
12:35pm—estimated time of first rider to finish
2:50pm—estimated time last rider to finish
3:00-3:30pm—estimated time for Finish Ceremonies featuring Santa Barbara County 3rd District Supervisor Brooks Firestone; City of Solvang Mayor Linda Jackson and Council members Skytt, Boyle, Richardson and Palmer. LOC Co-Chairs Carol Petersen and Max Hanberg and Tracy Farhad, Solvang Conference & Visitors Bureau.

* Presentation of Santa Ynez Valley Student Essay Contest Winner with bike & helmet from Dr. J’s Bicycle Shop in Solvang. ($350 value)
* Presentation of Amateur “Race of Truth” First, Second and Third Place Winners
* Awards Ceremony Presenters--3rd Place Presenter: Prudential Realty rep Mike Brady; 2nd Place Presenter: Clarks rep Max Hanberg; 1st Place ATOC Sponsor presentation PLUS unique gift from City of Solvang by Mayor Linda Jackson of original sculpture by renowned local artist John Cody

6:00-Midnight SOLVANG STAGE FIVE CELEBRATION GALA at Royal Scandinavian Inn, 400 Alisal Road, Solvang. Wine reception by Andrew Murray Vineyards; Gourmet 3-course dinner; Meet Special VIP Guests Dave Shields, author of The Tour and Bob Roll, Tour Announcer; silent auction, dancing, raffles.
$100 per person, very limited availability at the door.