Stage 1: Augusta to Macon, 128.9 miles/207.4 km

South Africa’s Robert Hunter of Phonak out sprinted Ben Brooks (AUS) of Jelly Belly-Pool Gel and Michele Maccanti (ITA) of Team LPR for the Dodge Race Leader jersey in the opening stage of North America’s premier professional cycling stage race, the 2005 Dodge Tour de Georgia.

Starting in Augusta, the peloton rolled out of town after three neutral laps parading around the historic downtown district. Nine miles into the 128.9 miles race, TIAA-CREF rider Dan Bowman (USA) launched a daring attack and maintained a solo breakaway for 91 miles and at one point held a 13 minute lead over the peloton. Bowman was caught by Mauro Pinotti (ITA) and Ivan Fanelli (ITA) both of Team LPR. Upon entering Macon the peloton was back together for three fast, finishing circuits downtown. Hunter claimed victory finishing at 5:47’52" with Brooks and Maccanti crossing the line with the same time. Lance Armstrong finished at the front of the pack, well protected by his Discovery Channel team.

Armstrong and Julich lined up. Photo by Doug Arnold.

"The idea was not too spend too much energy before the final circuit. On the final laps, the race kind of defines itself. It worked out really good for me," said Hunter. "Even if we had to lose the yellow jersey tomorrow; it’s fine by me. It’s taken a lot of pressure off us. I think the other teams probably have a lot of pressure on their shoulders now."

Hunter will wear the yellow Dodge Race Leader jersey for Stage Two and Bowman will pull on the Maxxis Sprint Leader jersey. Because of his daring launch off the front, Bowman was also awarded the kudzu-covered Aaron’s Most Aggressive Rider jersey. However, since Bowman will wear the Maxxis Sprint Jersey, Pinotti will wear the Most Aggressive Rider jersey. The GE Best Young Rider jersey went to Italian Mauro Santambrogio of Team LPR. Team LPR is leading the team competition.

Stage Two begins on Wednesday, April 20 at 1:30 p.m. in Fayetteville, riders will turn north for a 122.7 mile race to Rome, and will face the first King of the Mountain competition at Clocktower Hill in the city on seven hills.

We think these are the "Mercury Girls" from New York, but they certainly qualify as Georgia peaches. Photo by Scott Schaffrick. Click for larger image.

The Health Net Maxxis Report

Henderson fifth in Georgia opener

Greg Henderson of the Health Net Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis finished fifth in the sprint into Macon in the first stage of the Dodge Tour de Georgia. Phonak’s Australian sprinter, Robbie Hunter, took the win.

“The final kilometer was really fast,” Henderson said. With 700 meters remaining, the bunch took a right and went over a short climb. “Mike (Sayers) took me up from a long way back. I hooked up with (Chris) Wherry after that and he pulled me up to fifth wheel coming out of the last corner with 400 meters to go. It was so fast, that’s where we all stayed. It was single-file to the finish.”

The race came down to a bunch sprint only after the semi-motivated peloton kicked things into gear after the final intermediate sprint in the town of Milledgeville, 145 Km into the 207 Km stage. “It’s seemed like nobody wanted to race for something like 180 kilometers,” Henderson noted.

The peloton’s slow pace, which hovered at a leisurely 20Km/hr. pace for much of the stage, allowed 23-year-old Dan Bowman of TIAA-CREF to stay off on a solo break for 145 Km. Once the pace picked up after the second intermediate, in which Henderson finished second, as he did in the first one, the gap came down quickly. That’s when the attacks commenced. The most serious saw Marco Pinotti (Saunier Duval) and Ivan Fenelli (LPR) put over a minute on the peloton in chase of Bowman.

With 50 Km to go, John Lieswyn of Health Net Presented by Maxxis went to the front to lead the chase. Meanwhile, Bowman’s gap was evaporating.

Health Net sprinting. Click for larger image. Photo by Scott Schaffrick.

With about 45 Km to go, Pinotti and Fenelli caught and dropped Bowman, while extending their lead to almost three minutes on the more active peloton. With 25 Km to go, the Health Net Presented by Maxxis-led chase reeled in Pinotti, and the team stayed on the front, accompanied by Colavita/Sutter Home, to keep the pace high. Soon, they were joined by Discovery on the wide, four-lane road into Macon. This was likely intended to keep their man Lance Armstrong near the front of the pack and out of trouble as the road narrowed once they hit central Macon and began the first of three trips around the 5 Km finishing circuit.

The finishing circuits, which included two short climbs, saw another flurry of attacks, but nothing would stick, setting up the bunch kick. With one lap to go, Discovery was still on the front keeping the pace up and the peloton strung out and safe for the finish. With half a circuit remaining, Phonak went to the front alongside Health Net Presented by Maxxis, as well as riders for Navigators and Jelly Belly. But with 300 m to go, it was Phonak in position with one rider on the front coming out of the final turn to set up their sprinter Hunter for the win over Ben Brooks (Jelly Belly). Michele Maccanti and Daniele Napolitano (both LPR) finished just ahead of Henderson.

The Navigators Report

The long awaited 2005 Dodge Tour de Georgia kicked off today under warm sunshine and a slight breeze. The 6-day, 6-stage tour takes the racers to 10 cities throughout the northern regions of The Peach State. Today's stage from Augusta to Macon was a fairly straight shot of 208-Km (129-Mi.) over mostly flat terrain. The 158 racers representing 16 teams treated the large, and loud crowds in Augusta to 3 laps of a short circuit that afforded the many fans an opportunity to see and cheer for their favorite athletes, before heading out on the road to Macon.

Vasili Davidenko of Navigators. Photo by Scott Schaffrick. Click for larger image.

The peloton must have missed out on the Jittery Joe's espresso café in the start village since the first few hours of racing were covered at a snail's pace. The only real action was an attack by Dan Bowman (TIAA-CREF) at mile marker #9. His long solo escape was the news of the day as he stretched his lead to over 12:15 during his 110-Mi. breakaway. The uninterested pack was finally brought to life by Navigators' Jeff Louder shortly after the 3rd and final bonus sprint, when Jeff attacked and quickly gained 15-seconds. The subsequent chase resulted in a group of 16 riders breaking clear for a short stretch of freedom. The potentially dangerous break was soon reeled back in as the teams that wanted to see a sprint finish in Macon, began to mass at the front of the peloton.

As the speed increased, and the distance to the finish decreased, the gap to Bowman rapidly diminished. Along the way, he won all three bonus sprints before succumbing to the peloton with about 12-miles of racing remaining. More large crowds of cheering fans awaited the riders as they raced into Macon and completed three laps of a 2.1-Mi. circuit. Although several tried, they were unable to escape the charge and the finish was a blazing fast bunch gallop to the line. In a close finish, it was Robert Hunter (Phonak) taking the top spot followed by Ben Brooks (Jelly Belly-Pool Gel) and Michele Maccanti (Team LPR). The Navigators squad finished safely in the bunch with Chris Baldwin at the top of the list in 13th.

The final sprint between Hunter and Brooks. Click for larger image. Photo by Ben Ross. 

Way to go, Robbie! Photo by Scott Schaffrick. Click for larger image.

Kisses from the misses for Hunter. Photo by Ben Ross.

Dodge Tour de Georgia Stage 1 Results

1 Hunter Robert Phonak Hearing Systems Rsa 5.47'52"
2 Brooks Benjamin Jelly Belly - Pool Gel Aus m.t.  
3 Maccanti Michele Team L. P. R. Ita m.t.  
4 Napolitano Danilo Team L. P. R. Ita m.t.  
5 Henderson Gregory Health Net Presented By Maxxis Nzl m.t.
6 Canada Gracia David Prodir - Saunier Duval Esp m.t.
7 Manion Caleb Jelly Belly - Pool Gel Aus m.t.
8 Julich Bobby Team Csc Usa m.t.
9 Clerc Aurélien Phonak Hearing Systems Sui m.t.
10 Haselbacher René Gerolsteiner Aut m.t.
11 Santambrogio Mauro Team L. P. R. Ita m.t.
12 Kabush Geoff Jittery Joe's - Kalahari Pro Cycling Team Can m.t.
13 Baldwin Christopher Navigators Insurance Cycling Team Usa m.t.
14 Mitchell Glen Kodak Easyshare Gallery - Sierra Nevada Pro Cycling Nzl m.t.
15 Armstrong Lance Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team Usa m.t.
16 Landis Floyd Phonak Hearing Systems Usa m.t.
17 Leipheimer Levi Gerolsteiner Usa m.t.
18 Albers Kirk Jelly Belly - Pool Gel Usa m.t.
19 Walters Mark Navigators Insurance Cycling Team Can m.t.
20 Aggiano Elia Team L. P. R. Ita m.t.
21 Contrini Daniele Team L. P. R. Ita m.t.
22 Raisin Saul Credit Agricole Usa m.t.
23 Azevedo José Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team Por m.t.
24 Ekimov Viatcheslav Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team Rus m.t.
25 Blaudzun Michael Team Csc Den m.t.
26 Cobo Acebo Juan Jose Prodir - Saunier Duval Esp m.t.
27 Grajales Cesar Augusto Navigators Insurance Cycling Team Col m.t.
28 Maserati Alessandro Team L. P. R. Ita m.t.
29 Danielson Tom Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team Usa m.t.
30 Fritsch Nicolas Prodir - Saunier Duval Fra m.t.
31 O'neill Nathan Navigators Insurance Cycling Team Aus m.t.
32 Perras Dominique Kodak Easyshare Gallery - Sierra Nevada Pro Can m.t.
33 Zabriskie David Team Csc Usa m.t.
34 Quinziato Manuel Prodir - Saunier Duval Ita m.t.
35 Nose Tomasz Phonak Hearing Systems Slo m.t.
36 Pate Danny Jelly Belly - Pool Gel Usa m.t.
37 Rubiera Vigil José Luis Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team Esp m.t.
38 Barry Michael Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team Can m.t.
39 Wherry Chris Health Net Presented By Maxxis Usa m.t.
40 Rice Matthew Jelly Belly - Pool Gel Aus m.t.
41 Gutierrez Cataluna Jose Enrique Phonak Hearing Systems Esp m.t.
42 Lequatre Geoffroy Credit Agricole Fra m.t.
43 Frischkorn William Team Tiaa - Cref Usa m.t.
44 Vandevelde Christian Team Csc Usa m.t.
45 Hamby Russell Kodak Easyshare Gallery - Sierra Nevada Pro Usa m.t.
46 Wohlberg Eric Symmetrics Cycling Team Can m.t.
47 Zajicek Phil Navigators Insurance Cycling Team Usa m.t.
48 Tafi Andrea Prodir - Saunier Duval Ita m.t.
49 Schleck Andy Team Csc Lux m.t.
50 Wrolich Peter Gerolsteiner Aut m.t.
51 Tuft Svein Symmetrics Cycling Team Can m.t.
52 Lowe Trent Jittery Joe's - Kalahari Pro Cycling Team Aus m.t.
53 Vandborg Brian Team Csc Den m.t.
54 Pinotti Marco Prodir - Saunier Duval Ita m.t.
55 Kaggestad Mads Credit Agricole Nor m.t.
56 Johnson Timothy Jittery Joe's - Kalahari Pro Cycling Team Usa m.t.
57 King Edward Usa National Team Usa  22"
58 Waite Nick Usa National Team Usa m.t.
59 Zwizanski Scott Kodak Easyshare Gallery - Sierra Nevada Pro Usa m.t.
60 Meier Christian Symmetrics Cycling Team Can m.t.
61 Rich Michael Gerolsteiner Ger m.t.
62 Langlois Bruno Jittery Joe's - Kalahari Pro Cycling Team Can m.t.
63 Sayers Mike Health Net Presented By Maxxis Usa m.t.
64 Lemoine Cyril Credit Agricole Fra m.t.
65 Russ Matthias Gerolsteiner Ger m.t.
66 Cruz Antonio Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team Usa m.t.
67 Duggan Timothy Team Tiaa - Cref Usa m.t.
68 Mccartney Jason Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team Usa m.t.
69 Godfrey Hayden Kodak Easyshare Gallery - Sierra Nevada Pro Nz' m.t.
70 Portal Sébastien Credit Agricole Fra m.t.
71 Sundt Jonathan Jittery Joe's - Kalahari Pro Cycling Team Usa m.t.
72 Artacho Gustavo Colavita Olive Oil - Sutter Home Pro Cycling Team Arg m.t.
73 Jacques- Maynes Ben Kodak Easyshare Gallery - Sierra Nevada Pro Usa m.t.
74 Casero Moreno Rafael Prodir - Saunier Duval Esp m.t.
75 Erker Jacob Symmetrics Cycling Team Can m.t.
76 Jones Brice Jelly Belly - Pool Gel Usa m.t.
77 135 Usa 19851001 Lewis Craig Team Tiaa - Cref Usa m.t.
78 Hartley Chad Team Tiaa - Cref Usa 36"
79 Louder Jeff Navigators Insurance Cycling Team Usa m.t.
80 Pinfold Andrew Symmetrics Cycling Team Can m.t.
81 Stewart Jackson Kodak Easyshare Gallery - Sierra Nevada Pro Usa  55"
82 England Justin Health Net Presented By Maxxis Usa m.t.
83 Lieswyn John Health Net Presented By Maxxis Usa m.t.
84 Devine John Usa National Team Usa  1'03"
85 Macgregor Ian Team Tiaa - Cref Usa m.t.
86 Müller Christian Team Csc Ger m.t.
87 83 Can 19681119 Fraser Gordon Health Net Can m.t.
88  O'Loughlin David Navigators Insurance Cycling Team Irl m.t. ...
89 Moninger Scott Health Net Presented By Maxxis Usa m.t.
90 Urweider Sascha Phonak Hearing Systems Sui m.t.
91 Davidenko Vassili Navigators Insurance Cycling Team Rus m.t.
92 Fanelli Ivan Team L. P. R. Ita m.t.
93 Dominguez Ivan Health Net Presented By Maxxis Cub m.t.
94 Bouchard- Hall Kevin Usa National Team Usa 1'49"
95 Murphy John Usa National Team Usa m.t.
96 Routley Will Symmetrics Cycling Team Can 2'14"
97 Foster Christian Jittery Joe's - Kalahari Pro Cycling Team Usa m.t.
98 Lange Michael Team Tiaa - Cref Usa m.t.
99 Herriot Todd Colavita Olive Oil - Sutter Home Pro Cycling Team Usa m.t.
100 Robinson David Team Tiaa - Cref Usa m.t.
101 Aebersold Niki Phonak Hearing Systems Sui  2'36"
102 Krauss Sven Gerolsteiner Ger m.t.
103 Masolino Daniele Team L. P. R. Ita m.t.
104 Lange Cory Symmetrics Cycling Team Can m.t.
105 Olsen Aaron Colavita Olive Oil - Sutter Home Pro Cycling Team Usa m.t.
106 Guptill Andy Usa National Team Usa  2'46"
107 Wilcox Craig Jittery Joe's - Kalahari Pro Cycling Team Usa  3'11"
108 Cooper Marsh Symmetrics Cycling Team Can  3'28"
109 Powers Jeremy Jelly Belly - Pool Gel Usa m.t.
110 Wilkerson Derek Colavita Olive Oil - Sutter Home Pro Cycling Team Usa m.t.
111 Patour Kilian Credit Agricole Fra  4'19"
112 Bowman Dan Team Tiaa - Cref Usa  4'36"
113 158 Usa 19850721 Wolf Michael Usa National Team Usa m.t.
114 Bak Lars Ytting Team Csc Den m.t.
115 Frattini Davide Colavita Olive Oil - Sutter Home Pro Cycling Team Ita m.t.
116 Haedo Juan José Colavita Olive Oil - Sutter Home Pro Cycling Team Arg m.t.
117 Elken Evan Jittery Joe's - Kalahari Pro Cycling Team Usa 6'57"
118 Cozza Steven Usa National Team Usa m.t.
119 McCormack Mark Colavita Olive Oil - Sutter Home Pro Cycling Team Usa  7'38"
120 Page Jonathan Colavita Olive Oil - Sutter Home Pro Cycling Team Usa m.t.
121 Friedick Mariano Jelly Belly - Pool Gel Usa m.t.

Gord Fraser (Health Net) squeaks past Brice Jones (Jelly Belly) for second place in the first sprint. Photo by Doug Arnold.

Andrea Tafi. Photo by Scott Schaffrick. Click for larger image.

Pre-race autographs with Lance - the little guy with the pacifier isn't sure about the Discovery kits... Click for larger image. Photo (c) Celia Cole.

Frankie Andreu and Eki. Click for larger image. Photo (c) Celia Cole.

Discovery Channel  rolls into Macon. Click for larger image. Photo (c) Celia Cole.

Stay tuned for more photos!!