Post Stage 5 Quotes – It was great to see so many people out watching the race
Levi Leipheimer (USA), General Classification Leader
Astana
On today’s race:
“It has been a real, hard and fast day; surprisingly fast. At some point, the contenders looked like they might lose ground, but they caught back up.”
On tomorrow’s race:
“It’s going to be a big showdown tomorrow. You have the three-time World Champion Michal Rogers and Dave Zabriskie, the National Champion, so it will be special. I’m actually really looking forward to it. I feel good; I’ve felt great throughout the whole race. I feel pretty awesome about keeping the lead.”
Mark Cavendish (GBR), First Place, Stage 5
Team Columbia-Highroad
On today’s race:
“This was the day that I was planning on winning this year. It was a hard day; harder than expected. It seems like they’ve replicated the Tour de France with the speed and the par course. It has been incredibly hard. There was a strong breakaway and we had to do everything to bring them back and we finally pulled it back. It was a case of doing what my team does the best in world. George took me out to the last kilometer and then Mark Renshaw dropped me off at 200 meters to go. There were a lot of trains going out to the finish; all of the top sprinting teams were going for it. It was a battle of the teams and fortunately we came out on top.”
“This stage win is massively important. Any stage in the Amgen Tour of California is big. It’s big for the team and it’s big for the sponsors, but it’s a bit more personal when it’s close to home. Every other stage is important, but this one is a bit more personal.”
On the race overall:
“It has been a really hard tour. Between the bad weather, the speed of the competition, the general standard of the field, it’s unbelievably better than it has been in the past. I’m getting tired, but no more so than everyone else; I can’t complain. I had to sprint extra hard today. I was actually watching the video and I think I was sprinting away from his (Tom Boonen’s) shadow.”
On yesterday’s bunch sprint to the finish:
“Yesterday we had something to prove because the day before we didn’t have the best showing in the sprint, and we proved ourselves here today.”
On training near Paso Robles:
“Paso Robles is nice. Our team hometown of San Luis Obispo is about 20 kilometers down the road, so it makes it special that we won here since we trained here last year. This is a beautiful place and the weather has been good. It was great to see so many people out watching the race.”
On the overall competition:
“There is still a lot to play for in the general classification, so I think you could see it splitting up soon. There are more than just two of us working for the sprint jersey. Tom (Boonen) and the other guys have a lot of experience. They’ve won in the past and it’s all about consistency.”
On the camaraderie between sprinters:
“Before the Tour of Quatar, we (Tom Boonen) stood talking in the queue for an hour before the race. Bike racing is our job and we all love it. We do the same thing, so it gives us all something that we have in common; it make us all friends.”
On his springing strategy compared to Tom Boonen’s:
“We both rely on our teams to lead us out. There are only a few guys in the world that if they are put in the best position, they’re going to keep it. I’m lucky that I get put in the best position often.”
Tom Boonen (BEL), Second Place, Stage 5
Quick Step
On today’s race:
“It was really fast today and it was a little bit chaotic, but in the last kilometer I felt pretty much okay. I was on Mark’s wheel and the guys just kept speeding up and it was impossible to pass him (Mark).
On going for the Herbalife Sprint Jersey:
“There is still a long way to go.”
On the camaraderie between sprinters:
“I have sprinted against all of the fastest sprinters in the world and have never had any problems with anyone. Everyone has the same objective. I think maybe I’ll win a stage here too. We just do our best to stay friends. We’re just trying to do our best and set up a good time and do good teamwork.”
“We’re (Cavendish and him) not that different. We try to do the same thing before the sprint which is to have our team lead us out. It’s difficult to beat each other. If Mark starts his sprint in perfect conditions, it’s almost impossible to pass him, and I think it’s the same with me. There are only four or five sprinters in the world that you can pass, unless they make a mistake. I kept waiting for him (Cavendish) to lose speed, but his lead-out was perfect, and that’s when you get unbeatable.”
On how he trains for the sprints:
“I never train on my sprint. I don’t do anything to get on a higher level. The most difficult thing for me to do is train for the spring classics. It’s not really easy. I really just think of my season trying to prepare in the first part for the classics, and then in the second part, that is where we try to go for the green jersey.”
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| Photo by Ken Conley |
Matthew Crane (USA), Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer Most Courageous Rider Jersey Leader
Jelly Belly Pro Cycling Team
On today’s race:
“We worked really well together all day. When you’re on the same road for 30 kilometers, you get used to where the wind is coming from. Today it seemed like it was coming from all sides. The group of six of us worked really well together; there was a smooth rotation. The attack on the climbs is what broke up the group.”
“Small teams like ours have to look for every opportunity they can get. A day like today is great; to be out in front and on television, it’s great for the team and the sponsors. I just tried to make a race of it. It’s great to be on the podium and have that time. When we race against ProTour teams, we don’t have too many options, so we’re just happy to be here today.”
On racing in the Amgen Tour of California:
“I’ve been looking forward to this race for a long time. It’s great to be able to come out here and represent Jelly Belly. It’s what I’ve been training for, and when you’re racing alongside the best in the world, it makes it pretty special.”
On receiving the Amgen Breakaway from Cancer™ Most Courageous Rider Jersey and meeting today’s Amgen Breakaway Mile Participant:
“I actually have courage tattooed on the side of my arm, so it’s kind of appropriate. But truly, I think cancer survivors have true courage. Nothing I did on the bike today could compare to that kind of courage. Dealing with cancer takes true courage.”
Ryelle Leverett, Amgen Breakaway Mile Participant
“I’m doing great. This has been a surprising experience. I had been told to prepare, and I tried, but as the days progressed, I became more and more humbled by how enormous this is. I am here because of Amgen. I appreciate them bringing awareness that there is support for people battling cancer, from diagnosis, to treatment, to recovery. I’m just really grateful to have hooked up with the Wellness Community, which is one of the four programs that supports of Breakaway this year. It’s hard to describe this experience, but it has been more than anticipated.”
Andrew Messick, President, AEG Sports
“The crowds today in Paso Robles were absolutely amazing. It was great to see such an enthusiastic response from a new host city. We had a great race today, and the best part is, it is still anyone’s race. Tomorrow should prove to be a critical day for the world-class cyclists and a remarkable day for the spectators who come out to see the always popular time trial.”
