Tour-of-California

David Zabriskie of Garmin-Barracuda Proves to be Fastest Man on the Course

By thien   May 17, 2012

Current U.S. National Time Trial Champion Zabriskie Ends Peter Sagan’s Four-Day Run in Yellow after Grueling Time Trial in Bakersfield

2008 Olympic Gold Medalist Kristin Armstrong Defeats Field of Top Women Cyclists to Win Second Annual Amgen Tour of California Time Trial Race

Under cloudless skies and temperatures that reached above 100 degrees, David Zabriskie (USA) of Garmin-Barracuda outrode his competition and into the yellow Amgen Race Leader Jersey during the Stage 5 Individual Time Trial in Bakersfield, finishing in first place with an overall time of 35 minutes, 59 seconds. Coming in 23 seconds behind him was Jens Voigt (GER) from RadioShack-Nissan-Trek. Tejay van Garderen (USA) of BMC Racing Team finished 42 seconds behind Zabriskie and moved into second place overall only 34 seconds behind.

“My house is two hours from here, so I came out in the winter,” said Zabriskie, the current U.S. Time Trial champion, who is hopeful his result here at the 2012 Amgen Tour of California will bode well for his Olympic ambitions to represent the United States at the London Olympic Games. “I rode it. I videotaped it on the iPad and watched it quite a few times. I knew where I wanted to go hard. I knew when I wanted to go easy – soccer field, petting zoo, make it to the tree line go down easy come up strong. I had a real plan going into this race.”

Continue reading →



Tour-of-California

Bikes of the Tour – RadioShack Nissan Trek Speed Concept

By thien   May 17, 2012

RadioShack Nissan Trek will be riding the Speed Concept 9.9 at this year’s stage 5 in Bakersfield. Originally debuted during the 2011 campaign, the bike remains unchanged this year. Why change a perfectly good mix? The 9.9 Speed Concept has received praise from everyone that’s raced it. Made in Wisconsin from Trek’s 600 Series OCLV, the team bikes are outfitted with complete Shimano Dura Ace Di2 drivetrain and Bontrager components. They’ll also be riding Bontrager’s new Aeolus 9 D3 Tubular front wheels and a full disc in the rear.

RadioShack Nissan Trek’s Speed Concept is no longer only team issue, you can buy the exact same bike the team uses through Trek’s Project One program.

RadioShack Nissan Trek Photo Gallery Below Continue reading →



Tour-of-California

Bikes of the Tour – Orica GreenEDGE Scott Plasma 3

By thien   May 17, 2012

Orica GreenEDGE will be racing today’s individual time trial on the Scott Plasma 3, one of the very first bikes to bear the UCI approval sticker on a production frame. The Plasma3 frame incorporates SCOTT Aerodynamic Science to create a no compromise triathlon machine. Not only is it the TT frame of choice for Orica GreenEDGE, It was also the bike of choice in setting a new Ironman World Record in 2011.

Adrian from Scott Sports shows us the Orica GreenEDGE Scott Plasma 3

YouTube Preview Image

Orica GreenEDGE Pro Cycling Team’s Scott Plasma 3 Photo Gallery below- Continue reading →



Tour-of-California

Peter Sagan Repeats Performance and Clinches Stage 4 Victory

By thien   May 16, 2012

Twenty-two-year-old sensation Peter Sagan (SVK) of Liquigas-Cannondale remains unbeatable at this year’s Amgen Tour of California, outsprinting some of the world’s top sprinters to win his fourth consecutive stage, a remarkable accomplishment rarely achieved in major international stage racing. He now also holds the record for most stage wins – seven – in the history of the Amgen Tour of California.

For the fourth consecutive day, Heinrich Haussler (AUS) of Garmin-Barracuda finished in second place. Michael Matthews (AUS) of the Rabobank Cycling Team took third. The 2012 race has featured four consecutive sprint finishes, but the critical Individual Time Trial, often referred to as a “race against the clock,” coming up on Thursday will prove to be decisive.

“Tomorrow I think I say bye-bye to the yellow jersey,” Sagan said, noting his overall race lead will most likely be handed over to the winner of the Time Trial in Bakersfield. “My team said to me before the race, ‘Peter, I think you can win four in row.’ It is difficult to win one stage. To win four, I am very happy.”

Continue reading →



Tour-of-California

Bikes of the Tour – Rory Sutherland’s NeilPryde Diablo

By thien   May 16, 2012

UnitedHealthcare’s Rory Sutherland is riding the Tour of California this week, fresh off an outstanding performance at the 26th Annual SRAM Tour of the Gila wearing the race leader’s jersey from start to finish. He’s taking the very same NeilPryde Diablo race bike that won the Gila to this week’s ATOC.

The stealthy looking Diablo is one of two road bikes from well established NeilPryde. Known more for their marine and wind surfing offerings, the Hong Kong based company worked closely with BMW Group DesignworksUSA to create a bad to the bone, all-round racing, and climbing bike. The Diablo was designed with racing in mind, so it’s only fitting that earlier this year, they signed on to be the official bike sponsor of UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team.

Rory Sutherland’s bike is equipped with the new 2012 SRAM RED groupset. According to Jorge Romero, head mechanic for the team, the team has responded very well to the new groupset. The team rides on ENVE’s latest Smart 3.4 system wheels, complete with custom Chris King hubs. The guys on the team say the distinct color of the hubs have helped them locate each other during hard sprints to the finish line. The ENVE wheels are equipped with Maxxis’s pro road competition tire, Cormets. The team bike is rounded out with Ritchey components for handlebars, stems, seatposts, and saddles. The remaining components on the bike are Speedplay pedals, Timex Cyclocomputer, and the nifty K-Edge Chain catcher.

Jorge Romero, Head Mechanic shows us Rory Sutherland’s bike…

YouTube Preview Image

Rory Sutherlands’s NeilPryde Diablo Race Bike Photo Gallery below- Continue reading →



Tour-of-California

Peter Sagan of Liquigas-Cannondale Remains in Yellow Leader Jersey

By thien   May 15, 2012

Peter Sagan (SVK) of Liquigas-Cannondale made Amgen Tour of California history today by winning the Stage 3 of the 2012 race, marking his third consecutive stage win in as many days. The 22-year-old rider, once again, outsprinted Garmin-Barracuda’s Heinrich Haussler (AUS), and Tom Boonen (BEL) of Omega Pharma-QuickStep crossed the line in third place. Sagan also retained the Visit California Sprint Jersey and Rabobank Best Young Rider Jersey.

“I don’t know what to say because it’s also a surprise for me,” said Sagan when asked about his third consecutive stage win. “I’d like to thank my team because they did very good work today.”

Sagan, who won his sixth stage in the three years he has raced in the Amgen Tour of California is now tied for total number of stage wins with three-time Amgen Tour of California champion Levi Leipheimer (USA) of Omega Pharma-QuickStep.

The final flat sprint into Livermore was a battle at more than 40-miles-per hour with a sweeping right-hand turn into the finish, contested by three of the world’s top sprinters including Sagan, Haussler and Boonen, the world’s No. 1-ranked rider.

“This race is very hard for me because it’s a very long climb and the finish in the mountain is very hard as well,” said Sagan. “But, I did very good today and this suits me. Maybe I will try harder to win the yellow jersey one more day and after the time trial we’ll see.”

Stage 3 began earlier today in San Jose and traveled 115 miles before ending in Livermore to huge crowds and beautiful weather. About 1 kilometer from the first King of the Mountain (KOM) at Calaveras Road, the attack began, and at the end of the KOM, it was Sebastian Salas (USA) of Optum Powered by Kelly Benefit Strategies; Jonathan Patrick McCarty (USA) of Spidertech Powered by C10; Jeremy Vennell (USA) of Bissell Pro Cycling; and Wilson Marentes Torres (COL) of Colombia-Coldeportes who crossed the line first.

Continue reading →



Tour-of-California

Stage 3 Press Conference – Rider Quotes

By thien   May 15, 2012

Peter Sagan (SVK)
Liquigas-Cannondale
Stage 3 Amgen Race Leader; Rabobank Best Young Rider Jersey Leader; Visit California Sprint Jersey Leader

On how it feels to win three stages in a row
“I don’t know what to say because it’s also a surprise for me. I’d like to thank my team because they did very good work today.”

On his team possibly taking the day off tomorrow
“I think yes. But also winning some stages is very good and maybe tomorrow another team will win.”

On if being a junior mountain biker has helped prepare him for sprints
“When I was young I rode bicycles for fun and won many races on my mountain bike and on the road. That is helping me to do downhill on the mountain bike and on the road. If it’s helping me for sprints, I don’t know. But maybe after I do mountain biking I’ll be a better sprinter.”

On racing to take the overall General Classification
“This race is very hard for me because it’s a very long climb and the finish in the mountain is very hard as well,” said Sagan. “But, I did very good today and this suits me. Maybe I will try harder to win the yellow jersey one more day and after the time trial we’ll see.”

Continue reading →



Feature Articles | Tour-of-California

Bikes of the Tour – Tom Boonen’s McLaren Venge

By thien   May 15, 2012

Tom Boonen is having quite the year, winning the overall at the Tour of Qatar, E3 Harelbeke, Gent-Wevelgem, Tour of Flanders, and his 4th victory at Paris-Roubaix. Making him the first ever cyclist to ever win the Flemish cobblestone quadruple. After an incredible spring classics campaign, Boonen is returning to racing at this week’s Amgen Tour of California.

Boonen has won this year on three different Specialized bikes, the Roubaix, Tarmac, and Venge. For the Tour of California, Tom has brought both a Tarmac SL4 and McLaren Venge for normal road duties, with a Specialized Shiv for the TT in Bakersfield.

“Tom is pretty much going to ride most the stages this week on the Venge as his chosen bike,” said Sean Estes, Specialized’s public relations manager, “Given Tom’s body style and the type of riding being featured at the Tour of California, it’s the perfect bike. Highly aerodynamic, highly stiff, it’s perfect for the sprints.”

Boonen’s bike is equipped with mostly new 2012 SRAM RED, he has chosen to run an older SRAM TT chainring on the crank to make the minimum UCI weight limit and for it’s added stiffness. Speaking of stiffness, a special collaboration between McLaren and Specialized has resulted in a special layup schedule that results in the McLaren Venge frameset being both stiffer and lighter by 150 grams than a normal Venge. Boonen will ride Zipp 404′s for most stages, but has the full range of ZIpp wheels to choose from. The only part on his bike that isn’t off the shelf is a one off Zipp stem, in a 140mm size, a size they don’t normally offer.

Sean Estes of Specialized shows us Tom Boonen’s race bike…

YouTube Preview Image

Tom Boonen’s McLaren Venge and Specialized SL4 Tarmac Photo Gallery below-
Continue reading →



Tour-of-California

Stage 2 Press Conference – Rider Quotes

By thien   May 14, 2012

Peter Sagan (SVK)
Liquigas-Cannondale
Stage 2 Amgen Race Leader; Rabobank Best Young Rider Jersey Leader; Visit California Sprint Jersey Leader

On his thoughts from today’s race
“Today was very hard, and the climb was very fast especially when I was on the front of the last climb. It was also very narrow on the finish.”

On handling the stress of today’s race and what it will take to stop him from winning stages
“I am very glad for the Amgen Tour of California. It is starting very well for me. I would like to say thank you to my team because they did good work for me.”

“I don’t know, maybe it takes a natural disaster. I am feeling good. I will see tomorrow (to make it three straight wins).”

On his goals for winning a green jersey in the Tour de France
“The Amgen Tour of California helps me prepare for the Tour de France. Hopefully it will help me win that green jersey in the Tour.”

On his thoughts for winning Stage 3 of the Amgen Tour of California
“I don’t know. I don’t want to think for tomorrow yet. Tomorrow morning I will look in my stage book and start thinking about the race.”

Continue reading →



Tour-of-California

Peter Sagan Repeats Sprint to Finish to Take Stage 2

By thien   May 14, 2012

APTOS, CALIF. – Young Slovakian cycling sensation and overall 2012 Amgen Tour of California race leader Peter Sagan (SVK) of Liquigas-Cannondale crashed and punctured a tire on a wicked descent, but recovered to win Stage 2 of the race in Santa Cruz, Calif., his second consecutive stage in as many days. Ironically, the punctured tire was also the second flat of the race in as many days for the 22-year-old Sagan who maintained his overall lead over Australia’s Heinrich Haussler of the Garmin-Barracuda team after the second stage of America’s greatest professional cycling race. Leigh Howard (AUS) of Orica-GreenEDGE, who placed third during Stage 2, remained in third place overall.

“I don’t know, maybe it takes a natural disaster,” said Sagan, when asked what it would take to stop his winning ways, noting he suffered an untimely punctured tire three miles from the finish yesterday and still won Stage 1. “I am feeling good. I will see tomorrow (to make it three straight wins),” he continued.

Continue reading →