Post Stage 6 Quotes - I’ve won this race before and you really have to appreciate the work that your team does for you
Levi Leipheimer (USA), General Classification Leader and Stage 6 Winner
Astana
On the race overall:
“This is the fourth year for the Amgen Tour of California and every year this stage is important. The overall race this year has been tougher. We’ve had one more day before the time trial and we’ve had some bad weather; the race is split up this year. Of course we have two hard days to come, but today has made the biggest difference.”
“There are two tough stages left; anything can happen. After today, I think the competition has less and less to lose, so it’s easier for them to throw caution to the wind and go for it. The competition is hard. You won’t find better competition before July. We just have to take it kilometer by kilometer; take it day by day and see what happens.”
On today’s win:
“I said this immediately when I finished, this time trial means the most because it was such a close race. I really respect Dave (Zabriskie); he’s one of the best time trialists in the world, and Michael Rogers is the three-time World Champion in the time trial, so to beat these guys is a big honor. It means the most since it was such a tight race; it was a great race.”
On the advantage of knowing the time trial course:
“I think we all know the course; we all know the facts. We know the lefts and rights, the uphills and downhills. Not in the sense of the word of ‘knowing,’ it’s more of a sensation, expectation and confidence. Having the history of winning this stage twice before and having that pressure to continue that streak is also a big advantage.”
On winning the Time Trial for the third consecutive year in the Amgen Tour of California:
“I think it gets more and more special. In fact, I told Dave Towle (race announcer) up on the stage that this win is the most important, the most special to me because it was so tight. There were only eight seconds separating us. Dave is the best time trialist in the world, in the history of American cycling really, and for him to show up and be in great shape and be so tight with me, it makes this the most special of three victories.”
On teammate Lance Armstrong:
“Having won this stage twice before and now a third time, it makes me respect him (Armstrong) that much more. I’m not sure how he won the Tour de France seven consecutives times. I don’t know how he kept up with the pressure. It makes me respect him that much more. To have him around is all positive. The riders, the staff, everyone is doing their job above and beyond; everything runs to perfection. It’s a great environment and it pushes you to work harder and endure the suffering and, in the end, it’s all worth it.”
“Lance is using this race to get back into it. It has been three years, but I can tell you, he looks very good on the bike; he’s strong. If he’s disappointed with his time today, he shouldn’t be. The time trial takes practice to figure out how hard you can push yourself. His road racing is extremely strong. He’s probably my strongest teammate. Maybe he was just trying to hold back today and get back into the rhythm of it.”
On how he thinks Lance Armstrong feels about supporting him:
“He knows how cycling works; he’s won the Tour de France seven times, so he knows you can’t win races without your team. He’s a great teammate, so I think he’ll focus on me winning the race.”
On the chance of him working for Lance Armstrong to win other races, including the Tour de France:
“I hope so because that means he’s riding extremely well. He’s back to his level and I’d be proud to help him win his eighth Tour de France or his first Giro d’Italia.”
“I’ve won this race before and you really have to appreciate the work that your team does for you. Two years ago, during this race, my team had to work really hard for me. There was one day where I could really feel the work that they were doing and I really appreciated that. If I’m able to help a teammate win a race, I’m happy to.”
David Zabriskie (USA), Second Place, Stage 6
Garmin-Slipstream
On today’s Time Trial:
“I was really looking forward to today. I knew I had the opportunity to try and win the race today, which obviously didn’t happen. Levi is a very good competitor so my hat is off to him.”
“The course today for me, compared to last year, was much easier. We had a rainy day before last year’s Time Trial, but today was a good day. It was the good kind of pain where you’re really enjoying it; it’s like energy, energy, energy. We had good weather, good people and good crowds. I had a good time.”
On the possibility of winning the Amgen Tour of California:
“It would take a lot of screwing up on their (Astana’s) part. With the experience that they have and the depth of the team, they know what they’re doing. Like I said, it would take a huge screw up.”
On teammate Tom Peterson’s Stage 5 win:
“Tom Peterson winning a stage in the Amgen Tour of California is a big moral booster for us. He’s a good kid. I was very happy to see him win.”
On the last two days of competition:
“Tomorrow’s stage is the same as last year. It’s not crazy. It’s fairly gradual, so it’s probably going to be a field sprint. Everyone knows that stage. We did go down and checkout the last stage; it’s very challenging and things could happen. It will be interesting.”
Michael Rogers (AUS), Third Place, Stage 6
Team Columbia-Highroad
On today’s Time Trial:
“I think I was happy with my ride today. It was a well balanced course. It was flat, fast, there were uphills and downhills, it was a good all-around circuit. My hat goes off to Levi, Dave and everyone really, because it’s a tough tour. I think we’re all looking forward to Sunday.”
On the race overall:
“I think the race is not over until Sunday. You’ve got some tough mountains coming up. I’m sure it’s going to be tough. I think maybe the general classification is starting to open up a little bit more, but anything can happen.”
“There are some hard climbs coming. I haven’t been over the last two stages, but I have a few teammates that have been over the course, so I’m sure they’ll keep me well informed. With the experience that Levi and his team has, it is going to be hard to do something, but we never say never. We are just going to take each stage as it comes. We’re always on the lookout to do something, so if the opportunity arises, we’ll do it.”
On Team Columbia-Highroad’s participation in the Amgen Tour of California:
“For Team Columbia-Highroad, this is one of the most important races for us, so we try to come with a balanced team to try and win stages and have someone finish high in the general classification. So far, we’ve fulfilled some stage wins, and if all the guys ride good on Sunday, we hope to be on the podium. If the race was to end today, I think our team could be ecstatic about what we’ve done here. The team has worked like magic, and I think there is still more to come.”
Lance Armstrong (USA), Sixth Place Overall
Astana
On today’s time trial:
“I’m tired. I haven’t done a time trial for a long time, so it’s a new sensation. I raced as hard as I could. I wanted to be in the top-15, so I’m not unhappy (he placed 14th). There was no pressure because everything was about Levi. I was more interested in the split times between Levi and Zabriskie. Maybe I missed a bit on the warm-up and preparation. It’s strange today, I was not nervous at all. I’ve got nothing to worry about. I did a pretty good test, and I can’t really complain.”
Mark Cavendish (GBR), Herbalife Sprint Jersey Leader, Stage 6
Team Columbia-Highroad
On the crowds today:
“The crowds today were amazing; they’ve been amazing the whole race actually. I think this race is only rivaled by the Tour de France.”
Evan Handler, Actor
On attending the time trial today in Solvang:
“I love nothing better than to spend a gorgeous Friday afternoon surrounded by people in better physical condition than me. Amgen’s Tour of California time trials in Solvang provided me with the non plus ultra of that experience. It was an awe inspiring race, on an awesome day.”
Andrew Messick, President, AEG Sports
On the race overall:
“I was blown away by the crowds in Solvang this year. The crowds continue to get bigger and more enthusiastic. Although Levi seems to be riding as strong as ever, with two challenging days ahead of us and riders like Dave Zabriskie, Michael Rogers and Lance Armstrong close behind, the race is far from over.”
