QUARQ extends lightweight, ease-of-use and up to the minute metrics with two new power meters for Specialized and Cannondale cranksets.

The 2012 Specialized Quarq and Cannondale Quarq power meters deliver Power Balance™, OmniCal™, lightweight and improved clearance, and compatibility with a wide range of chainrings. The entirely new design, using aluminum-armored, integrated electronics, lifts accuracy to +/- 1.5%. Ease-of-use takes center stage with the prominent ANT+ ID, LED and Quarq’s tool-less, user replaceable battery.

Jim Meyer, Quarq Technical Director: “The SRAM RED Quarq power meter hinted at our technology direction. Following its successful launch we began work on Specialized and Cannondale compatible versions. This puts the latest and greatest in the hands of Omega Pharma – Quick-Step Pro Cycling Team, our pro triathletes and even more consumers.”

Omega Pharma – Quick-Step Pro Cycling Team are campaigning the Specialized Quarq Power Meter in this week’s Amgen Tour of California. Superstar triathletes Nikki Butterfield, Rasmus Henning and Jordan Rapp will also be equipped.

Weight: 138g (130BCD, spider only)
MSRP: USD$1795 (spider only)
Available: June 15 (130BCD), July 1 (110BCD)

Power Balance™: Displays the ratio of power generated in the right drive stroke (first half) versus the left drive stroke (second half). Lets you work on an equal pedal stroke over 360 degrees of rotation.
OmniCal™: Power measurement is independent from chainring selection. Switch from road to TT chainrings without impacting accuracy. No recalibration necessary.

The revolution in power continues.

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.”

Zabriskie took over the lead of the eight-day race from Peter Sagan (SVK) of Liquigas-Cannondale, who has dominated the race thus far, holding the Amgen Race Leader Jersey for four days straight. Sagan, who said he “didn’t feel good from the start,” finished the Time Trial in 52nd place with a time of 39 minutes, 26 seconds.

In what many of the cyclists cited as “one of the toughest time trial courses in the history of the Amgen Tour of California”, cyclists raced on an 18.4-mile route that included several 100-foot rollers. As the cyclists neared the finish, they still had one climb to tackle – China Grade – which presented an eight percent climb to the top and then a hard left. Then, the riders faced a slightly uphill, .44-mile run to the finish.

“I spent a lot of time on the time trial bike in training,” said van Garderen when asked about his preparation for today. “The course today was a tough one because there were no corners; pretty much just straight road. Yeah, there were a few ups and downs but the entire time was in the bars with the exception of the final climb. Just staying in that position for that long is hard on your arms, whereas, if you had a few corners you can kind of sit up and take a bit of a breather. So it was on the power the whole time which was really hard.”

As expected, the Individual Time Trial proved to be decisive, shaking up the General Classification standings. Zabriskie now leads the race in first place, followed by van Gardener in second and Robert Gesink (NED) of the Rabobank Cycling Team. Previous race leader Sagan now sits in 31st place.

When asked if he was going to fight to keep the Amgen Race Leader Jersey, Zabriskie responded, “Definitely. I’m not going to lie down and give it away. David Zabriskie is going to fight until he’s lying on the ground almost dying. To win would be the biggest win in my life, my career. It would be amazing; definitely not an easy thing to come by. It would be a beautiful thing.”
Also taking place today was the second annual Amgen Tour of California Women’s Time Trial Race, presented by SRAM. Using the same course as the professional men, the women’s event featured 10 of the world’s best female cyclists, including

American Olympic hopeful Kristin Armstrong (USA), who rides for the Exergy TWENTY12 team. It was Armstrong who finished with the best time of 39 minutes, 59 seconds. Alison Powers (USA) of the NOW and Novartis for MS placed second with a time of 41 minutes, 23 seconds, and Jade Wilcoxson (USA) of Optum Pro Cycling Powered by Kelly Benefit Strategies took third with a time of 41 minutes, 58 seconds.

“This was one of the hardest courses and conditions I’ve done in my 10-year career,” said Armstrong. “The heat was really hard and real heavy. The road was recently repaved and black as black so the heat that came off of that was really hard. It was a true time trial course. A true test of fitness, and I think the strongest person won.”

Armstrong continued, “Having AEG and Amgen bring women in for the time trial, I can’t even thank them enough. It’s so awesome to put women on the same stage as the men. It’s really nice to mix the men and women. I do a lot of World Cups in Europe and just the hype…I really appreciate what everyone has done and all the sponsors that have backed it.”

With no Sprint or King of the Mountain (KOM) competitions today, Sagan will now wear the Visit California Sprint Jersey, while Sebastian Salas (USA) of Optum Powered by Kelly Benefit Strategies will keep the Nissan King of the Mountains Jersey. Yannick Eijssen (BEL) from BMC Racing Team remains in the Exergy Most Aggressive Rider Jersey and Markel Irizar Arranburu in the Amgen Breakaway from Cancer® Most Courageous Rider Jersey. Luke Durbridge (AUS) of Orica-GreenEDGE will wear the Rabobank Young Rider Jersey.

As part of the today’s race activities, Bakersfield resident and cancer survivor Ann Press fired the official start gun and had the honor of awarding Arranburu the Amgen Breakaway from Cancer Most Courageous Rider jersey.

“Amgen therapeutics have changed the practice of medicine, helping millions of people around the world fight cancer, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, bone disease, and other serious illnesses,” said Stuart Arbuckle, vice president and general manager, Amgen Oncology. “Through the Amgen Tour of California sponsorship, we are able to raise awareness of the contributions the biotechnology industry makes toward advances in medicine while also helping those impacted by cancer through Breakaway from Cancer.”

Amgen created the national Breakaway from Cancer initiative in 2005 as a complementary component to its sponsorship of the inaugural Amgen Tour of California. Breakaway from Cancer is a collaboration between Amgen and four nonprofit organizations – Prevent Cancer Foundation, Cancer Support Community, Patient Advocate Foundation and National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship. These organizations offer a broad range of support services complementing those provided by a patient’s team of healthcare professionals. For access to resources or to learn more, visit breakawayfromcancer.com.

Earlier in the day, an amateur time trial was held, which was won by Roger Martin of Danville, Calif., who crossed the line with a finish time of 43 minutes, 13 seconds. He was followed by American sportscaster for cycling Craig Hummer, who finished of 43 minutes, 24 seconds.

STAGE 6 TOMORROW:
Friday, May 18 – Palmdale to Big Bear Lake (115.7 mi/186.3 km)
Start Time: 10:25 a.m. PT
Estimated Finish Time: 2:59 – 4:21 p.m. PT

After a hiatus during the 2011 Amgen Tour of California, Big Bear Lake is back on the race map, challenging riders to face a daunting Stage 6, which will kick off the race’s first and only “Daily Double”: Big Bear Climb and Mt. Baldy (on Stage 7). If the 2010 route was a killer, this slightly toned down route will be a crusher. Stage 6 will be all about strategy as the riders will still be feeling the sting of the Bakersfield Time Trial from the day before. Will riders leave it all on the mountain climbs on Friday in hopes they can survive the brutal ascent to Mt. Baldy on Saturday? Or will they match the move of their nearest rivals and let Mt. Baldy decide the ultimate winner of the Amgen Leader Jersey?

After a cruise down historic Sierra Highway, the racers will head into the Angeles National Forest. After a short stretch on Angeles Forest Highway, the route will turn onto Mt. Emma Road. Following the first climb of the day and then a descent to Fort Tejon Road, the first KOM at Mountain High ski area will be reached via a 12-mile climb to a 7,000-foot summit at Angeles Crest Highway. There will be a brief respite as the riders descend into Wrightwood and then over to Highway 138.

The route will once again go vertical as it passes through Crestline and Lake Arrowhead, and then onto the Rim of the World Highway. Entering the Big Bear area, the riders will take the northern route around Big Bear Lake and then tackle the last ascent to the finish at a more than 7,000-foot elevation at the Snow Summit ski area.

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

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

Click here to view the embedded video.

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

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.”

The longest stage of the 2012 Amgen Tour of California at 130.2 miles, Stage 4 took the riders from the small goldmine town of Sonora, up over six climbs and through two sprints before ending in front of massive crowds in Old Town Clovis. Before the mad dash through the streets of downtown, it appeared that Dave Zabriskie (USA) of Garmin-Barracuda might take the stage, breaking away within the final five kilometers of the race. But Sagan’s team reeled in the U.S. National Time Trial champion and it was Sagan who crossed the finish line first once again.

After a two-mile neutral rollout, the race officially got underway, mostly on a downhill course, allowing the peloton to reach speeds of up to 43 miles per hour. At the first King of the Mountain (KOM), Sebastian Salas (USA) of Optum Powered by Kelly Benefit Strategies attacked off the front of the peloton to take maximum points. He was followed by Bram Tankink (NED) of the Rabobank Cycling Team, Dries Devenyns (BEL) of Omega Pharma-QuickStep and Ben Jacques-Maynes (USA) of Bissell Pro Cycling.

Shortly thereafter, a breakaway of 11 riders established themselves and increased their gap to four minutes. The riders included: Markel Irizar Arranburu (ESP) and Ben King (USA) of RadioShack-Nissan-Trek; Devenyns; Yannick Eijssen (BEL) of BMC Racing Team; Wilco Kelderman (NED) of Rabobank Cycling Team; Alex Howes (USA) of Garmin-Barracuda; Timothy Duggan (USA) of Liquigas-Cannondale; Wesley Sulzberger (Orica-GreenEDGE); Mikael Cherel (FRA) of AG2R La Mondiale; and Jhon Atapuma (COL) and Carlos Julian Quintero of Colombia-Coldeportes.

Atapuma took top points for the second KOM of the day, followed by Howes, King, Quintero and Cherel. The break riders also swept the first sprint points, with Aranburu crossing first, followed by Howes and Kelderman. With the break dwindling to two minutes and 40 seconds, the riders crossed the fourth KOM of the day, with Kelderman reaching it first, Howes second, Quintero third and Sulzberger fourth. Shortly thereafter, Quintero dropped from the break, leaving 10 men in the front with a lead of only one minute and 20 seconds.

On the fifth KOM of the day, Howes crossed first, followed by Sulzberger, Aranburu, Kelderman and Atapuma. Points for the second sprint of the day were scooped up by Howes, King and Kelderman. The break was caught shortly after the final sprint, but a new breakaway emerged, including George Bennett (NZL) of RadioShack-Nissan-Trek, Thomas Peterson (USA) of Garmin-Barracuda and Michael Rodriguez (COL) of Colombia-Coldeportest. A rider from Liquigas-Cannondale set the pace at the front of the peloton, while three riders went out to catch the break, including Tankink, Cherel and Brian Vandborg Bach (DEN) of Spidertech Powered by C10. Together, the six men formed the new breakaway, and points for the sixth and final KOM went to Rodriguez, Bennett, Peterson and Vandborg.

After the final KOM, the break was caught and the peloton, being led by Liquigas-Cannondale, spread wide across the road. At the front of the peloton was a Garmin-Barracuda rider, followed by riders from Omega Pharma-QuickStep, Rabobank Cycling Team and BMC Racing Team. After a short-lived break by Jonathan Clarke (AUS) of UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team, the peloton spread across the road again and the pace slowed in anticipation of the sprint to the finish.

Zabriskie launched an attack and secured a substantial gap right away. With about 2.5km to go, Zabriskie had a lead of 30 seconds, but was caught by a rider from Omega Pharma-QuickStep. Garmin-Barracuda was lined up at the front for Haussler, but it was Sagan who once again bested his competition by reaching the finish line first to claim his fourth win of the 2012 Amgen Tour of California.

“Winning today is a surprise,” said Sagan. “Today was a very hard day and the weather was very hot. In the climb, I put water on my head because of the heat. I wasn’t expecting another victory but after the last climb my teammate, Daniel Oss, said to me, ‘Today we win another stage.’ And I said, ‘I don’t think so.’ But, after he made the suggestion, I said to myself, ‘Yeah, okay. We’ll try.’ We did and now we are very happy. Thank you to all my teammates.”

At the end of Stage 4, Sagan retains the Amgen Leader, Visit California Sprint and Rabobank Young Rider Jerseys. Because Sagan will wear the Amgen Leader Jersey at the start of Stage 5 tomorrow in Bakersfield, Haussler will remain in the Visit California Sprint Jersey, and Kelderman will wear the Rabobank Best Young Rider Jersey. Eijssen will wear the Exergy Most Aggressive Rider Jersey and Arranburu will be in the Amgen Breakaway from Cancer® Most Courageous Rider Jersey. Salas will remain in the Nissan King of the Mountain Jersey.

“There was a lot of talk today that it was going to be a big day [to win the KOM],” said Salas. “I went for the first KOM and tried to get in, but none of the teams were letting me get up the road for the breakaway. As chance would have it, [David] Boily wasn’t able to get as many points today, so I increased my buffer on him. Hopefully there will be another showdown on Big Bear.”

As part of Amgen’s effort to honor and celebrate cancer survivors and to raise awareness about its Breakaway from Cancer® initiative, the Clovis finish featured a Breakaway Mile. Clovis cancer advocate Susan Mott participated in the one-mile walk as Breakaway from Cancer Champion, an honor for which she was selected due to acting as a tireless advocate for awareness and fundraising for blood cancers. Specifically, Mott has raised money and organized blood drives for her toddler granddaughter, Madyn, who was diagnosed with leukemia in June 2011.

Mott was joined by more than 50 community members – cancer survivors, patients, caregivers, and advocates – and Jon Oliner, scientific director, Amgen, who plays a crucial role in developing innovative medicines to treat cancer and other serious illnesses.

Today’s Breakaway from Cancer activities also featured Sonora, Calif. resident and cancer survivor Katie Jenks who fired the official start gun to begin the stage, and Mott awarded the Breakaway from Cancer Most Courageous Rider jersey to Arranburu.

For access to resources or to learn more, visit breakawayfromcancer.com.

STAGE 5 TOMORROW:
Thursday, May 17 – Individual Time Trial (18.4 mi/29.7 km)
Start Time: 1 p.m. PT

The finishing circuit at the end of the 2010 Amgen Tour of California’s Stage 5 in Bakersfield was a gut-wrenching fan favorite, so it was only natural to return to the scene and turn that circuit into an 18.4 mile Individual Time Trial course.

Right from the start, the riders will go from zero to nearly 60 mph in a matter of seconds. The start ramp will launch them onto an immediate descent to Alfred Harrell Highway. From there, it will be a straight – but not exactly flat – route to the turnaround point at Lake Ming.

It’s likely going to be hot and windy, and there will not be much in the way of flat roadway to catch your breath. The route is full of 100-foot rollers, and as the riders approach the finish, they’ll be able to see it… up on a 300-foot bluff.

The prepared rider will have saved a little for the China Grade, which presents an eight percent climb to the top and then a hard left, and it won’t be over there. The riders will still face a slightly uphill, .44-mile run to the finish.

Also taking place tomorrow will be the second annual Amgen Tour of California Women’s Time Trial Race, presented by SRAM. Using the same course as the men’s individual time trial, the women’s event will feature the leading female athletes in the world of cycling, all vying for a piece of the $10,000 prize pool.

The Amgen Tour of California Women’s Time Trial Race will begin at 11:10 a.m. PDT on Thursday, May 17, with the women leaving at one-minute intervals.

The current race roster is as follows:
1. Alison Tetrick (Exergy TWENTY12), USA
2. Tayler Wiles (Exergy TWENTY12), USA
3. Kristin Armstrong (Exergy TWENTY12), USA
4. Emilia Fahlin (Team Specialized-Lululemon), SWE
5. Loren Rowney (Team Specialized-Lululemon), AUS
6. Bridie O’Donnell (Vanderkitten-Focus), AUS
7. Janel Holcomb (Optum Pro Cycling p/b Kelly Benefits Strategies), USA
8. Jade Wilcoxson (Optum Pro Cycling p/b Kelly Benefits Strategies), USA
9. Alison Powers (NOW and NOVARTIS for MS), USA
10. Robin Farina (NOW and NOVARTIS for MS), USA

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…

Click here to view the embedded video.

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

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.

It was these four riders who opened the first gap on the peloton, extending their advantage to three minutes and 25 seconds about 25km into the stage. Fans greeted the quartet as they passed through Livermore for the first time during Stage 3 of the race, and Torres, Vennell and Salas scooped up the first sprint points of the day. After 32 miles of racing, the break’s lead had stretched to five minutes.

Coming out of the feed zone, the break had extended their lead to six minutes and 30 seconds, while Liquigas-Cannondale kept pace at the front of the peloton. As the break began heading up the climb of Mt. Diablo, they had stretched their lead even further to eight minutes. The break continued to work together on the Category 1 climb, but it was Salas who reached the KOM line first, followed by McCarty and Vennell. As Salas began his decent, he moved out in front of the break, but was quickly rejoined by the others. With the breakaway’s advantage at seven minutes and 40 seconds, Frantisek Rabon (CZE) of Omega Pharma-QuickStep, leading for Leipheimer, set the tempo in the peloton with Liquigas-Cannondale behind him.

With 37km to go, the break’s lead had dropped to three minutes, but the peloton continued to work hard, and Vennell and Torres were caught with 25km to go. BMC Racing Team, Garmin-Barracuda and Rabobank sat at the front of the peloton, with Jens Voigt (GER) of RadioShack-Nissan-Trek setting tempo at the very front. It was Fabio Andres Duarte (COL) of Colombia-Coldeportes and Nicolas Roche (IRL) of AG2R La Mondiale who reached the second KOM of the day first.

With defending Amgen Tour of California champion Chris Horner (USA) being escorted to the front, Rabobank took the lead at the head of the peloton with Argos-Shimano moving up. Haussler was led out to the sprint but, once again, Sagan outsprinted him to claim victory.

“Today was a hard day,” said Vennell. “Bissell’s plan was to be in the break today, so I am the lucky one to be here. I’m very happy with the way I rode considering the stage. There was a moment there that I thought we would stay away, and we were withholding them for a while, but we turned out in the plains there and the wind really zapped the last bit of energy we had.”

Showing he will not be beaten easily, Sagan retains the Amgen Leader, Visit California Sprint and Rabobank Young Rider Jerseys. Because Sagan will wear the Amgen Leader Jersey at the start of Stage 4 tomorrow in Sonora, Haussler will be in the Visit California Sprint Jersey and Josh Atkins (NZL) of Bontrager Livestrong will remain in the Rabobank Best Young Rider Jersey. Vennell will wear the Exergy Most Aggressive Rider Jersey, Torres will be in the Amgen Breakaway from Cancer® Most Courageous Rider Jersey, and Salas will sport the Nissan King of the Mountain Jersey.

“From the beginning of the Amgen Tour of California, one of our goals was to get the KOM jersey,” said Salas. “I was in the breakaway in Stage 1, and David Boily and I had a battle over one of the climbs. I was going into the day with a five-point deficit and, once I got to the break at the start, I took the opportunity that he wasn’t there and drove the break and got some points over the tail end and over Mt. Diablo as well.”

In honor of cancer survivors everywhere, today cancer survivor Bob Hammer, Danville, Calif., was recognized and celebrated as the Breakaway from Cancer® Champion. Hammer founded the “Have a Ball” Foundation, which has raised more than one million dollars since its start and benefits 20 cancer organizations, sends kids with cancer to camps, and has established and granted scholarships for students.

Hammer led Amgen’s Breakaway Mile – a special one-mile walk that crosses the finish line to honor the millions of cancer survivors worldwide. During the event, Hammer was joined by approximately 150 community members – cancer survivors, patients, caregivers, and advocates – and Amgen’s Steve Young, executive director, Research, who plays a crucial role in developing innovative medicines to treat cancer and other serious illnesses.

Today’s Breakaway Mile was the second of four Breakaway Miles that will take place during the Amgen Tour of California in support of Amgen’s national Breakaway from Cancer initiative, which was created in 2005 as a complementary component to its sponsorship of the inaugural race. The Breakaway from Cancer initiative is designed to increase awareness of important resources available to people affected by cancer – from prevention to survivorship. For access to resources or to learn more, visit breakawayfromcancer.com.

Today’s Breakaway from Cancer activities also featured Los Altos, Calif. resident and cancer survivor Peggy Liou who fired the official start gun to begin the stage. Hammer awarded the Breakaway from Cancer Most Courageous Rider Jersey to Torres.

STAGE 4 TOMORROW:
Wednesday, May 16 – Sonora to Clovis (130.2 mi/209.6 km)
Start Time: 10:35 a.m. PT
Estimated Finish Time: 3:39 – 5:10 p.m. PT

At 130 miles, Stage 4 is the longest stage of the 2012 Amgen Tour of California, and possibly the most difficult. This will be the race’s first visit to Sonora, a town that many consider to be the most preserved Gold Rush town in California. Sonora has California history written all over it, and you need to look no further than the location of the Stage 4 race start. As the riders roll south from the start, it will be easy to imagine what it was like more than 150 years ago as wagons rolled down the same roads.

As the riders head south towards Mariposa and Oakhurst (both Sprint cities), they will enjoy the incredible beauty and challenge of historic Highway 49. As they skirt Yosemite, they will encounter everything from numerous KOMs, twisty and technical descents, and raging rivers, but very few sections of flat roadway. Once through Mariposa, Highway 49 widens a bit, but two more KOMs will await the cyclists as they head to the final Sprint in Oakhurst. The riders will no doubt be fearless as they attack the final 40 miles into the return to Clovis.

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.”

Talking about his sprint and the final kilometer and if he did anything he regretted
“I think yes. There was a rider going in the group and I thought it was dangerous the way I was coming so I reached out to let him know I was there. In the last kilometer, when it’s all sprinters together it’s one thing, but when other riders come into the group, it can become a dangerous situation so we’ll reach out just to make sure they know where we are.”

On people talking about his potential to be a great rider
“I’m aware that people are talking like this about me but I try not to listen as I’d rather stay who I am. There are a lot of riders who’ve gone up quickly but who have fallen as well; I’d rather keep climbing.”

Jeremy Vennell (NZL)
Bissell Pro Cycling
Stage 3 Exergy Most Aggressive Rider Jersey Leader

On his experience with Stage 3
“Today was a hard day. Bissell’s plan was to be in the break today, so I am the lucky one to be here. I’m very happy with the way I rode considering the stage. There was a moment there that I thought we would stay away, and we were withholding them for a while, but we turned out in the plains there and the wind really zapped the last bit of energy we had.”

On what was going through his mind in the four-man breakaway
“On the first KOM, the other two in the breakaway were playing games because they were going after the Nissan King of the Mountain Jersey. They made it very difficult for us two (Vennell and Wilson Marentes Torres). We were ‘mucking’ around a little bit and I had a couple of digs, and then I’m glad when I finally took them hard, we dropped those two and it made it a lot easier for us to work together.”

On why the break happened so early today
“I think today, with that first climb, a lot of guys have tired legs and a lot are now worried about getting dropped. However, the ones who took the opportunity to risk it made that early break.”

Wilson Marentes Torres (COL)
Colombia-Coldeportes
Stage 3 Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer® Most Courageous Rider Jersey Leader

On the feel for today’s stage and being in the breakaway
“The escape went pretty well. I really wanted to get into the break today. I didn’t go to the end, but it was a pretty good feeling to be there.”

On winning Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer® Most Courageous Rider Jersey
“I am very happy that I won this jersey, which is a very important jersey to win in any race, but particularly in the Amgen Tour of California. I’m looking to continue to do well like I did today and taking it day-by-day and doing well once again.”

Sébastian Salas (USA)
Optum Powered by Kelly Benefit Strategies
Stage 3 Nissan King of the Mountain Jersey Leader

On his team’s goal for the Amgen Tour of California
“From the beginning of the Amgen Tour of California, one of our goals was to get the KOM jersey. I was in the breakaway in Stage 1, and David Boily and I had a battle over one of the climbs. I was going into the day with a five-point deficit and, once I got to the break at the start, I took the opportunity that he wasn’t there and drove the break and got some points over the tail end and over Mt. Diablo as well.”

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…

Click here to view the embedded video.

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

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.”

Jeremy Vennell (NZL)
Bissell Pro Cycling
Stage 2 Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer® Most Courageous Rider

On winning Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer® Most Courageous Rider Jersey
“We road conservatively, but we knew that the other riders would ride harder if we didn’t put up a fight. I’m very happy to have won it.”

On today’s stage
“It was a very hard day. The descent off Bonny Doon was pretty scary.”

On racing in Santa Rosa yesterday and in Northern California in general
“I live in Santa Rosa with my wife and my child. I love northern California and it’s a great area to race in.”

On his knowledge of the roads in Santa Cruz County
“I only have knowledge of this stage’s roads from the previous tours. This was all very familiar to me, especially Bonny Doon; I love that area.”

Ben Jacques-Maynes (USA)
Bissell Pro Cycling and local Santa Cruz County resident

On his perspective of today’s race
“Bonny Doon road has been in the course previously, but more in the middle of the race. This time, it was in the beginning and not smack in the middle, so it was a little bit easier for this race since I wasn’t so tired.

On Jameson Creek
“I didn’t think [Jameson Creek] was that bad. I know every inch of it. I knew which blind corners to brake hard for and which ones were okay.”

On today’s crowd
“It was exactly what I expected; the fans came in full force. There were fans on the climb to Bear Creek Road, to the summit, all the way down the Southern California San Jose decent. Just seeing my name in chalk on the road was great.”

On his strength
“I was really tired after yesterday’s stage. After the stage I said that I would be too tired for the breakaway today which was true. I know my limitations on big climbs. I will be trying for breakaways again. I first have to recover well.”

On tomorrow’s stage ending in Livermore
“I know the Livermore area well, including Mt. Diablo. I have lots of history with this climb.”

Overall thoughts about Stage 2
“A lot of the riders came up to tell me how spectacular it was to ride here, that the quality of the roads were great and they couldn’t believe the size of the mountains here in Santa Cruz County. Today was the day to see the true Santa Cruz County. These roads are what make a good rider.”

On the race returning to Santa Cruz County
“After a year off, I think the community was very motivated to bring the Amgen Tour of California back to the county. For me, it’s spectacular. This is the biggest stage for American cycling. We’re at the epicenter here today.”