Post Stage 4 Quotes - “I was really driven and I wanted this win bad. The team stayed so well together on every climb and it played into our ends today.”
Mark Cavendish (GBR), First Place, Stage 4
Team Columbia-Highroad
On today’s win:
“This win was massive for me and for the team. I was really driven and I wanted this win bad. The team stayed so well together on every climb and it played into our ends today. I was looked after so well after the climbs; my team really put me in a perfect position. Mark Renshaw helped me; it was the first time we got the lead-out right. We went straight past the whole Cervelo Test Team on the right, which was amazing because we knew they were so strong from yesterday.”
“To be truthful, I wasn’t planning on getting anywhere near the finish today. I like to make sure I know who is there for the final kilometer. It was hard in the beginning, but the break kind of played into my hands. My team stayed with me and gave me the encouragement to get over climbs. The team set me up perfect, and when I got to the last climb, I knew I had a chance.”
On yesterday’s bunch sprint at the finish:
“Yesterday, there were lots of factors in play, and if anyone one of those goes wrong, you’re not in contention. Bad stuff happens and you have to make amends, and that’s what happened today.”
On his strategy for the finish sprints:
“There isn’t room for a ‘plan B’ in a sprint. There are five or six factors you need for a sprint, and if one of those goes bad, you’re in a bad way. If two go wrong, you’re not going to win. A sprint is a collection of split-second decisions, and you have no time to reflect on the decision you just made a second before. If you’re concentrating too hard on your decisions, you’re not going to win. At that point, I just look at the finish line; not the other riders. You have to do your own thing and let your team get you into the best position and finish it off.”
On the race overall:
“You know, it’s just about consistently being up there. It’s been a really tough course this year. You have to come with not just one guy in contention for the general classification. The time trial is still to come, and that shouldn’t shake things up too much, but a little bit. You can see that the best riders are up there anyway (in the top general classification), so we’re lucky that we’ve been able to get the stage wins along the way. If you can finish good on the hard stages, then you’ll be up there.”
On people’s perception of him:
“Some people think I have a reputation for being cocky or arrogant, but I think I’m just a realist. I’m the first to say when I’m bad at something, but I’m also the first to say when I think I’m good at something. My goals are my goals, not dreams; they are targets and I’ll do whatever necessary to make those targets. So when somebody asks me if I’m the fastest, I think I am. But I need to be put in a position where I can finish it. I think I’m unrivaled.”
On teammate Kim Kirchen’s crash:
“I got back with Kim (Kirchen) on the crash. It was a freak accident and he ended up breaking his collarbone. It’s a shame because I thought he was going to have a good year. I send my best wishes to Kim and I’m glad we won the stage for him.”
On this win today:
“I can simply say that a win for me is a win; I’m greedy in that way. I want to be the best and I always want to cross that finish first. I want to be the first no matter who is here or what race I’m in. I want to be first and it doesn’t matter who is there.”
Levi Leipheimer (USA), General Classification Leader
Astana
On the race today:
“We were quite a ways up there in the Sierras, so it made for a pretty hard race. Everyone came out with guns blazing. We had to chase down a lot of potentially dangerous breakaways. There were times when Lance (Armstrong) broke away and pulled back four to five guys on his own; it’s great to have such a strong team.”
On the race overall:
“I feel great; we are just taking it day by day. There is a lot of work for the team to do. I am just thinking about Friday. Michael Rogers is probably the most dangerous rival to me. Dave Zabriske is also a very dangerous rival. As long as I’m feeling the way I have been and ride the way I’m riding, things look good. I’ve won here two times before.”
“The scenery on the course is awesome. I took some time today to look around and talk to teammates about it. It’s very pretty and there were a ton of people even in the snow cheering for us. I think it’s great that the Amgen Tour of California can come to new places and spread the word.”
On today’s crashes:
“Crashing is part of cycling. It seems like there has been a lot of unnecessary crashes; we’ve had a couple of days of bad luck. Hopefully it’s finished now.”
On the time trial in Solvang:
“Solvang is an excellent course because it has elements of all time trials. I think it’s a great course. Time trials are unique because you have to push yourself and you don’t have your team to push you.”
Lance Armstrong, Fourth Place After Stage 4
Astana
On his stolen bike being recovered:
“Johan came on the radio about half way through and said something about it being found, so I knew.”
On today’s race:
“Well, it was a hard race from the beginning. It was aggressive; guys wanted to get away and get a break, so we had to ride quite a bit. It was not an easy day; all-in-all it was pretty tough. It’s a dangerous sport. This can be a fatal sport. You just hope that everybody gets up and is alright. If they are banged up, you hope they are okay and that they get back up on the bike.”
Tyler Hamilton, Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer™ Most Courageous Rider Jersey, Stage 4
Astana
On Rock Racing’s objectives today:
“Our main objective for today was to protect the KOM jersey to make sure nobody dangerous got up the road. Jason (McCartney) was third in the KOM points overall, so he was up the road and I reached up to him. Later, I looked back and saw Mancebo coming up, so I waited and brought him up. I decided that if the breakaway was going to be successful, he was going to have to go back to the peloton because Astana wasn’t going to give us a break. We achieved our goal with Mancebo holding onto the KOM jersey, but unfortunately we couldn’t make the breakaway last.”
On today’s race:
“I am disappointed, really disappointed that we didn’t hang on in the end. Every kilometer I was out in that breakaway, I thought we were going to stay away. I knew the sprinters would put on a chase. McCartney was really strong and great to have in the race today. I just needed a couple extra kilometers.”
On the time trial in Solvang:
“Speaking of the Solvang course, during training camp we previewed the course. It’s a great course - fast. For sure the strongest rider will win on Friday. The course is kind of flat on the way out with some hills on the way back. Typically, there is a lot of wind there. It’s a true, hard course and I expect the strongest man to win.”
“A good time trialist is someone who can block out the pain; accept it. Somebody who has a big engine like Lance or Levi.”
“Astana is clearly the strongest ream in the mountains. It’s really going to come down to the time trial to really crack them. Sevilla has had some good rides, so we’ll just take it from there. The last two days are really difficult, especially Sunday. A lot of the general classification guys are waiting for the time trial to see if they can crack the Astana team.”
On the future of Rock Racing:
“There have been a lot of things said that weren’t really true. Media reported on a lot of things that wasn’t really the case. Just like everyone, with the economy, Michael Ball and Rock Racing has suffered like any big company, but he said from the beginning that his team was here to stay, and we’re still here and still fighting. As a team, we decided to make this work, to roll with the punches a little bit, to help keep this team afloat, and I think that was a smart decision on all of the rider’s parts. I’m happy to be here today, that’s for sure.”
“We’re around for this year, that’s for sure. I can tell you that there is no June deadline anymore. You just have to roll with the punches. Obviously with the team has endured some ups and downs, but life is a roller coaster, right? You just have to adjust every time. We obviously had to change gears a few times in the off season, but we’re still here and still fighting and I think the public is happy we’re around.”
On Rock Racing’s kits:
“I don’t think it hurts that we are a little edgy. Michael Ball has always sort of looked outside of the cycling box, so to speak. There is an edgy look to our team and I think the public likes it.”
“I’m a modest person, so I don’t really need something big and flashy to announce that I’m the national champion. It’s a little subtle on the kit; our kit is already kind of busy, so we just wanted to keep it simple.”
Tom Boonen (BEL), Second Place, Stage 4
Quick Step
On Cavendish’s win today:
“It’s difficult when I’m by myself. I had six or seven kilometers more speed in my legs, but it’s hard to pass five or six Columbia guys in the last kilometer.”
On the possibility of winning another stage in the Amgen Tour of California:
“Well, maybe tomorrow; why not? Or maybe the time trial.” (smiling)
Andrew Messick, President, AEG Sports
On AEG’s partnership with the UCI and the possibility of moving the Amgen Tour of California to a new date on the calendar:
“We are delighted that Pat (McQuaid) was able to join us for today’s stage; he brought the sunshine and we couldn’t be more thrilled. We believe that our partnership and friendship with the UCI is critical to the Amgen Tour of California. We collaborate in a lot of ways to grow the sport and to showcase the sport of cycling, and we couldn’t have better partners. We look to expand the terrain of the course while still fitting within the global calendar so we can continue to attract the best riders and teams. With those calculators, we collectively have some work to do.”
“When we were planning for the inaugural race in 2004, our vision was to become the greatest race. One that was important to cyclists and teams and important on the global cycling calendar, and I think we are making progress. It has been a difficult race so far, but the crowds have been fantastic, we are broadcasting in more than 200 countries, we’re on live television, reaching more than 200 million households. The pieces are in place and we’re talking about whether the appropriate future of this race is in April, or maybe May, or maybe June. There are ongoing discussions with us and UCI as to whether or not we become a member of the UCI Pro Tour. The future for us is one that is very bright, and we are continuing to see what the right timing for our race is for us and American cycling, and how and the UCI can continue to internationalize the sport. Cycling is global in every respect, and we think there is a need for a great race in the U.S., and I don’t see why it shouldn’t be us.”
Pat McQuaid, President, Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI)
On the Amgen Tour of California:
“I’m very pleased to be here at the Amgen Tour of California, to be invited back. I think in the Amgen Tour of California, you can see a race which is growing and it’s definitely being embedded into the public’s minds. The past couple of days haven’t been easy, but today, the sun came out, and although I believe the crowds were equally as big during the rainy days, the crowds were huge today. It was a spectacular day for racing and the course provided a great day of racing from that point of view. I think everything has been going really well.”
“The development of the Amgen Tour of California is very important to the development of world cycling, and it’s extremely important that Amgen and AEG continue to stay involved with the race. I can insure you that UCI will continue to support this race.”
On the possibility of moving the Amgen Tour of California to a new date on the calendar:
“Changing the date of this race on the calendar is a consideration; something which Andrew (Messick) and several others have been discussing. We will continue to investigate the possibility and we do believe, and agree, that possibly a change of date might be better for the race.”
“It is very important to the UCI, American cycling and world cycling that the Amgen Tour of California event continues to be successful and continues to grow. We need to consider what is best for everyone involved. It’s obvious that there are constraints on the possible route that this race can take because of the current timing. As we saw today, there was even some risk on the final climb today due to snow. It’s something that we’re considering, knowing that there is a desire to study the possibility of the race changing dates. I will be going back to the UCI and it’s one of the first things I’ll put to our people to study what the possibilities are. What we have to take into account and consider is the benefit to the Amgen Tour of California moving to another day without damaging other races. It’s all about trying to find a balance of all the races on the calendar. It’s very difficult to coordinate and you’re never going to satisfy everybody, but we will do our best to come to a solution to the best of everyone concerned.”
On the Biological Passport program:
“I genuinely and honestly think we are at a very good stage now. Twelve months ago, we introduced the Biological Passport program. A lot of time and effort has gone into creating biological passports on 850 riders. The various stakeholders, teams, etc., have invested in this program, and we are at a stage now where we have biological passports on all of the riders that are riding at the top level. Only teams that are a part of the program can compete in races on the world calendar, so in a sense, we are leveling the playing field. I do believe that this whole biological passport program is definitely going to be the future of anti-doping, or at least one item in the arsenal in the fight against doping.”
“We are bringing back the credibility of cycling. We’ve suffered over the past for our five years, but I do believe that this will be a good year for cycling. I don’t think we are going to have the same types of scandals. What’s also important is that over the past five or six years, there has been a change in culture. The view towards doping in our sport has changed. There has definitely been a big change in the peloton; a change for the good. The change of culture bodes well for the future.”
“I think it’s about looking towards the future, to young guys like Cavendish who won here today. I think we should forget about the past and move on towards the future.”
“I am very pleased to be here. The rate at which this race is growing is incredible. It is very important to North American cycling and cycling around the world. Look at what has happened this year, with the return of Lance. I have no doubt that when you see the impact that he had on the Tour Down Under, and the worldwide publicity that the race got, and then when we come here and see his involvement here and the increased publicity, not just in America, but internationally, it’s because of his return, and it has been nothing but good for cycling as a whole. I hope that good will continue.”
