|
Tour of California 2009 Dashboard
Race Info, Previews, Live Video, Results, Photos and Highlights
|
|
||||||||
| P | Saturday February 14 | 2.4 mi | ||||||
| Sacramento | ||||||||
| map | profile | timetable | prevu | results | photos | video | ||||||||
| 1 | Sunday February 15 | 108 mi | ||||||
| Davis → Santa Rosa | ||||||||
| map | profile | timetable | prevu | results | photos | video | ||||||||
| 2 | Monday February 16 | 116 mi | ||||||
| Sausalito → Santa Cruz |  |
|||||||
| map | profile | timetable | prevu | results | photos | video | ||||||||
| 3 | Tuesday February 17 | 104 mi | ||||||
| San Jose → Modesto | ||||||||
| map | profile | timetable | prevu | results | photos | video | ||||||||
| 4 | Wednesday February 18 | 115 mi | ||||||
| Merced → Clovis | ||||||||
| map | profile | timetable | prevu | results | photos | video | ||||||||
| 5 | Thursday February 19 | 134 mi | ||||||
| Visalia → Paso Robles | ||||||||
| map | profile | timetable | prevu | results | photos | video | ||||||||
| 6 | Friday February 20 | 15 mi | ||||||
| Solvang | TT |
|||||||
| map | profile | timetable | prevu | results | photos | video | ||||||||
| 7 | Saturday February 21 | 89 mi | ||||||
| Santa Clarita → Pasadena | |
|||||||
| map | profile | timetable | prevu | results | photos | video | ||||||||
| 8 | Sunday February 22 | 97 mi | ||||||
| Rancho Bernardo → Escondido | |
|||||||
| map | profile | timetable | prevu | results | photos | video | ||||||||
| Total Distance | 780 mi | |||||||
|
| ||||||||
2009 Wrap up
The 2009 Tour of California will be remembered for the atrocious weather at the start, lively stages and the crowds that kept getting bigger and bigger with each day
Levi Leipheimer makes it three straight overall wins thanks to his stage 2 attack on Bonny Doon Rd and his third straight TT win in Solvang (photo: mike norris, steephill.tv)
|
). Honorable mention goes to the stage 7 disintegrating break that ended with a two man drag race in Pasadena. (Of course, if you were there in person you'd add your experience as one of the highlights.)
California has incredible scenery with excellent cycling roads. Hopefully, the organizers will continue to get more creative in the route selection. (The rumored date change to April for next year would open up more options.) Stage 2, Sausalito to Santa Cruz, was a terrific route. It would be good to see more stages like that.
For the second time in four years, the finish in Santa Rosa was controversial. Any changes to a course and to cycling rules should be made before a stage starts; otherwise, it creates confusion and inequity.
From a TV standpoint, the live broadcasting on Versus (weather permitting) was a great addition even if the continuity of the action was broken too frequently by commericials. I welcome the day when pay-for-view in HD accompanied by unbiased commentary becomes an option for cycling fans in North America. Also, the Velonews Velocenter online video recaps were a pretty slick and concise way to start each morning. (See the video links in the table to the right.)
Finally, a big thanks goes out to steephill.tv photo contributors Mike Norris and Ken Conley. Both of them have contributed to this dashboard every year since the Tour of California started four years ago. They are dedicated fans and excellent photographers who will stand in the rain and drive like maniacs to get the best shots.
Thanks for tuning in. — Steve
A nice wrap-up of post-event rider reactions collected by Daily Peloton: here and especially here
Stage 8 results: Frank Schleck wins the two-man break; Levi wins the overall
Stage 8 results: 1 Frank Schleck (Saxo Bank) 2 Vincent Nibali (Liquigas) 3 George Hincapie (Columbia - Highroad) 4 Rory Sutherland (Ouch) General classification after stage 8 1 Levi Leipheimer (Astana) 2 David Zabriskie (Garmin - Slipstream) 0.36 3 Michael Rogers (Team Columbia - Highroad) 0.46
Schleck wins final stage; Leipheimer takes Tour number three — cyclingnews
Stage 8 clips — amgentourofcaliforniaThree in a row — velonews Lance, Levi and Christian pre-stage interviews — versus The Last Km — versus Yahoo Stage 8 photos Graham Watson Stage 8 photos Stage 8 Highlights (21:06) — velonews
Daily Tour Stage 8 Podcast — the fredcastStage 8 preview: Rancho Bernardo → Escondido, 97 mi (mountainous)
February 20 update: From the official stage description: Often major tours end with a largely ceremonial stage, but not the Amgen Tour of California. For the second consecutive year, the final stage will be a challenging point-to-point excursion that might produce a change in the overall leadership. In addition to two sprints, the peloton will face four King of the Mountains climbs that could force the KOM jersey to change hands as well. Amgen sponsors Stage 8, which includes the mammoth climb of Palomar Mountain, the highest point ever reached at the Amgen Tour of California at 5,123 feet. The ascent unfolds over 11.7 miles and 21 switchbacks at an average gradient of 7%. There is one last climb after Palomar Mountain on which two-time defending champion Levi Leipheimer expects a bevy of frantic last gasp attacks to ensue in pursuit of the yellow jersey. It will be a thrilling fight to the finish as winning the final stage of a major race is a highly coveted honor.  steephill is now on Twitter with all the latest race updates |
) for further details. — Steve
Start Time: Sunday 12:00 AM PST ();
Live TV/Audio coverage starts: 2:00 PM PST ();
(Live video streaming is available from the start)
See all the live video, audio and text options
Approximate Finish: 4:10 PM PST ()
Current Time, Weather and Wind Direction on Palomar Mt and in Escondido
Palomar Mountain SP — parks.ca.gov
2009 Tour of California Set to Make a Big Finish — sandiego6
Escondido readies for stage finish (02:26) — sandiego6
Parking info for both start and finish areas — sandiegonorth
Rider race/bib numbers with the latest withdrawals
Stage 7 Highlights/Stage 8 Preview (12:48) — velonews
February 14 update: The race will be broadcast live in more than 90 countries, which includes more than 200 million households across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Oceania and Africa. Expanded coverage this year is due to the partnership established with the Amaury Sport Organisation (owners of the Tour de France) which has assisted AEG with the international television distribution of the 2009 Amgen Tour of California. Of course, VERSUS will carry entended coverage in the United States.
| steephill is now on Twitter with all the latest race updates |
Stage 7: A successful break and thrilling finish won by Nocentini
Photo finish courtesy of Phoenix Sports Technology
Stage 7 results: 1 Rinaldo Nocentini (AG2R La Mondiale) 2 Hayden Roulston (Cervélo TestTeam) 3 Pieter Weening (Rabobank) 4 Markus Zberg (BMC Racing Team) 5 Martin Elmiger (AG2R La Mondiale) 6 Chris Baldwin (Rock Racing) 7 George Hincapie (Team Columbia - Highroad) 8 Fränk Schleck (Team Saxo Bank General classification after stage 7 1 Levi Leipheimer (Astana) 2 David Zabriskie (Garmin - Slipstream) 0.36 3 Michael Rogers (Team Columbia - Highroad) 0.46 4 Jens Voigt (Team Saxo Bank) 1.10 5 Thomas Lövkvist (Team Columbia - Highroad) 1.29February 21 update: Just like last year, the stage into Pasadena off of Millcreek Summit produced a successful break that disintegrated towards the line. This year, AG2R's Rinaldo Nocentini and Cervelo's Hayden Roulston setup at opposite sides of the road for a drag race with 50 m to go. Phil Liggett thought the track racer (Roulston) would take the win, but it was the cagey stage racer and Italian Rinaldo Nocentini that won a photo finish. Big result for Nocentini who finished second overall at Paris-Nice (
) last year. Huge crowds were there to see a great race. — Steve
Full Results — cyclingnewsNocentini wins in Pasadena — velonews Yahoo photos Stage 7 Recap and the last km — amgentourofcalifornia The Last Km and other clips — versus Ken Conley Stage 7 Photos Graham Watson Stage 7 Photos Stage 7 Highlights/Stage 8 Preview (12:48) — velonews
Stage 7 preview: Santa Clarita → Pasadena (mountainous)
February 20 update: The crowds are sure enjoying the sight of Lance racing again and Levi standing first in GC for the third year in a row. This is a race built for Levi and nobody is more mentally and physically prepared to win it, but it's a shame that with two mountain stages still to go, most people including 2nd place David Zabriskie () believe Levi has this race locked up. Levi, afterall, is one of the best climbers riding for the strongest team. Team Astana is getting great exposure in California, but I wonder how many people know or care that Astana is the capital and second largest city of Kazakhstan. By the way, I just stumbled across this nice amateur video of Team Astana (less Lance Armstrong) cresting steep Pine Flat Road () in Sonoma while training on Saturday Feburary 7th. (The team was strung out with Contador cresting first well ahead of Levi).
From the official stage description: On the final day of the 2008 Amgen Tour of California, George Hincapie sprinted to victory from a small breakaway group that escaped during a rugged new route from Santa Clarita to Pasadena. This year, the peloton will face the same difficult, hilly and technical terrain on the penultimate day of the Tour. Stage 7, sponsored by Herbalife, opens with a gradual 25-mile climb out of Santa Clarita, through Acton, to the intersection of Angeles Forest Road. Showcasing the breathtaking beauty of the San Gabriel Mountains, the course continues uphill to the massive Millcreek Summit, which at 4906 feet is the second highest elevation ever reached in the Amgen Tour of California. What goes up must come down and the riders will scream down a 15-mile trek to Angeles Crest Highway before dropping precipitously to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Surrounded by mountains and the legendary stadium, the field will conclude the stage with five challenging circuits on a rolling five-mile circuit around the picturesque Rose Bowl.
| steephill is now on Twitter with all the latest race updates |
) for further details. — Steve
Start Time: Saturday 12:00 PM PST ();
Live TV/Audio coverage starts: 2:00 PM PST ();
(Live video streaming is available from the start)
See all the live video, audio and text options
Approximate Finish: 3:30 PM PST ()
Current Time, Weather and Wind Direction in Pasadena
Large crowd expected for Amgen Tour cyclists: If you go info — pasadenastarnews
SCV & Pasadena: Where to Watch & Street Closures — laist
Everything you need to know for the Santa Clarita start — santa-clarita
Everything you need to know for the Pasadena finish — cityofpasadena.net
Rider race/bib numbers with the latest withdrawals
Stage 6 Highlights/Stage 7 Preview — velonews
... more to come ...
Stage 6 results: Levi does it again; three-peats in Solvang
Ken Conley Stage 6 Photos
Stage 6 results: 1 Levi Leipheimer (Astana) 30.39 2 David Zabriskie (Garmin - Slipstream) 30.48 3 Gustav Larsson (Team Saxo Bank) 30.57 4 Michael Rogers (Team Columbia - Highroad) 31.02 5 Jens Voigt (Team Saxo Bank) 31.10 General classification after stage 6 1 Levi Leipheimer (Astana) 2 David Zabriskie (Garmin - Slipstream) 0.36 3 Michael Rogers (Team Columbia - Highroad) 0.46 4 Jens Voigt (Team Saxo Bank) 1.10 5 Thomas Lövkvist (Team Columbia - Highroad) 1.29
Leipheimer wins the Solvang time trial — velonewsFull Results — cyclingnews TT highlights and Levi interview — versus Ken Conley |
Yahoo | Graham Watson Local TV coverage: Highlights (Early Edition) & Levi (01:57) — ksby Local TV coverage: Thousands pack Solvang (02:07) — ksby Local TV coverage: Highlights (Late Edition) & Lance (01:30) — ksby David Zabriskie talks about the TT and his chances (02:15) — velonewsTour of California 2010 considering dates with better weather — latimesblogs.latimes Stage 6 Highlights/Stage 7 Preview — velonewsStage 6 preview: Solvang, 15 mi (rolling)
The Solvang TT course is identical to last year's
|
This is the third straight year Solvang has hosted the TT and the crowds should be bigger than ever. Photos by Ken Conley
|
| steephill is now on Twitter with all the latest race updates |
) for further details. — Steve
Start Time: Friday 12:00 AM PST ();
Live TV/Audio coverage starts: 1:00 PM PST ();
(Live video streaming is available from the start)
See all the live video, audio and text options
Approximate Finish: 2:30 PM PST ()
Current Time, Weather and Wind Direction in Solvang
Printable Start List for Stage 6 Time Trial in Solvang — steephill
Solvang Official Site for the latest news — tourofcalifornia-solvang
Solvang: Visitor, Road Closures, Places to Watch Info — podiumcafe
Armstrong: Leipheimer will be a minute faster in the TT — velonews
Same course: Photo Preview using 2008— ken conley
Riders to Watch/Predications — podiumcafe
Rider race/bib numbers with the latest withdrawals
Stage 5 Highlights/Stage 6 Preview (18:57) — velonews
Current Situation: Stage 6 leader board — live.cyclingnews
Stage 5 results: Mark Cavendish, Tom Boonen 1-2 again in Paso Robles
Ken Conley Stage 5 Photos
high-res victory salute | high-res finish photo
Lance Armstrong prior to stage 5.
Photo by Ken Conley |
Stage 5 results: 1 Mark Cavendish (GBr) Team Columbia 5.07.29 2 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quick Step 3 Pedro Horillo (Spa) Rabobank 4 Francisco Chicchi (Ita) Liquigas 5 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervelo TestTeamGeneral classification stage 5 1 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana ( 2 Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia :24 3 David Zabriskie (USA) Garmin :27
Cavendish delivers the double deuce — cyclingnewsCav' gallops to 2nd victory — velonews The Last Km and other clips — amgentourofcalifornia
Ken Conley | Yahoo | Graham Watson The Last Km — versus Local TV coverage: start in Visalia (04:00) — abc30 Local TV coverage: finish in Paso Robles (02:30) — ksby Daily Tour Stage 5 Podcast — the fredcast Stage 4 Highlights/Stage 5 Preview (18:57) — velonews...more, reports, photos and video to come..
Stage 5 preview: Visalia → Paso Robles, 134 mi (flat)
2:55 PM PST The peloton crossing the flat Central Valley under nice blue skies
|
|
As a travelogue side-note, in the opposite direction from Visalia is one of the best rides in North America. The Tour of California will never do this ride unless they change their spot on the race calendar but you can to the great ride up Generals Highway through Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks ( ) during the summer.
| steephill is now on Twitter with all the latest race updates |
) for further details. — Steve
Start Time: Thursday 10:00 AM PST ();
Live TV/Audio coverage starts: 1:00 PM PST ();
(Live video streaming is available from the start)
See all the live video, audio and text options
Approximate Finish: 3:20 PM PST ()
Current Time, Weather and Wind Direction in Paso Robles
Paso Robles ToC Events and Road Closures — pasoroblespress
Top 7 View Spots Around Paso Robles: Paso Robles Official Site — prcity
Tour officials expect thousands of fans for Stage 5 in Visalia — visaliatimesdelta
Rider race/bib numbers with the latest withdrawals
Paso Robles prepares for Stage 5 of the Amgen Tour of California — ksby
Stage 4 Highlights/Stage 5 Preview (13:00) — velonews
Stage 4 results: Mark Cavendish holds off Tom Boonen in a photo finish
high-res victory salute... almost a premature mistake
Stage 4 results: 1 Mark Cavendish (Team Columbia - Highroad) 2 Tom Boonen (Quick Step) 3 J.J. Haedo (Saxo Bank) 4 Thor Hushovd (Cervélo TestTeam) 5 Tylar Farrar (Garmin)February 18 update:General classification stage 4 1 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana ( 2 Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia :24 3 David Zabriskie (USA) Garmin :27
Full Results: Sprinters have their day in Clovis — cyclingnewsCav' clips Boonen, Leipheimer keeps lead — velonews Early attacks and KOMs — versus The Last Km — versus The Last Km — amgentourofcaliforniaLance Armstrong's stolen bike turned into police — cyclelicio.usCrash takes out Oscar Freire, Kim Kirchen — latimesblogs.latimesStage 4 Photos by:
Mike Norris |
Ken Conley | Graham WatsonTour of California News — cyclingnews Lance et al video stage 3 San Jose start — cyclefilm As-Live coverage in Merced and Clovis (08:26) — abc30 As-Live coverage of the finish in Clovis (09:51) — abc30 Stage 4 Recap (09:20) — abc30 Daily Tour Stage 4 Podcast — the fredcast Chris Horner talks about his injuries pre-stage 4 — velonews Stage 4 Highlights/Stage 5 Preview (13:00) — velonewsStage 4 preview: Merced → Clovis, 115 mi (hilly)
February 18 update: This brand new stage introduces Merced and Clovis as Amgen Tour of California host cities and introduces the peloton to the Sierra Nevada foothills. Although Stage 4 has a few sprints to contest, the climbers (and descenders) will assume the starring role while battling over four KOMs ("King of the Mountains" points competition) on the consistently hilly and technical terrain while enjoying(?) the mountain scenery. But, it may not difficult enough to shed all of the sprinters or any of the all-purpose guys like George Hincapie. Spectators can enjoy the action from Highway 140, twice on Highway 49 or on Crane Valley Road. The finish is in old town Clovis, an important of Central California town. Looks like we are done with the atrocious weather with slightly warmer temperatures and, more importantly, clear skies forecasted. There will be snow on the ground at the higher points of stage 4 as reminder of the bad weather over the last couple of days.| steephill is now on Twitter with all the latest race updates |
) for further details. — Steve
Start Time: Wednesday 11:00 AM PST ();
Live TV/Audio coverage starts: 1:00 PM PST ();
(Live video streaming is available from the start)
See all the live video, audio and text options
Approximate Finish: 3:40 PM PST ()
Current Time, Weather and Wind Direction in Clovis
From rain to snow? — velonews
The official site for the stage 4 finish in Clovis — tourofcalifornia-clovis
Race prompts road closures as it rolls into Valley — fresnobee
Stage 3 Recap/Stage 4 Merced Start Info (03:25) — abc30
Rider race/bib numbers
Velonews Tour of California '09 Preview
Cali-climb-ication: Preview of the climbs — cyclingnews
Stage 3 Highlights/Stage 4 Preview (12:02) — velonews
Stage 3 results: A great Cervelo leadout delivers Thor Hushovd to the line for an easy win; another wet, cold day for the riders
More Mike Norris photos:
Start/Patterson Pass | Modesto finish sequence | | Podium
Stage 3 results: 1 Thor Hushovd (Cervélo TestTeam) 2 Oscar Freire (Rabobank) 3 Mark Renshaw (Team Columbia - Highroad) 4 Tylar Farrar (Garmin)General classification stage 3 1 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana ( 2 Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia :24 3 David Zabriskie (USA) Garmin :27
Full Results and Report — cyclingnews Yahoo/AP PhotosViking In Modesto — cyclelicio.usHushovd wins stage 3 in Modesto — velonewsMike Norris photos:
Start/Patterson Pass | Modesto finish | PodiumOther Photos by:
Ken Conley | Graham Watson
The Last Km — versus Thor Hushovd Interview: talks about his team's great leadout — versus Pre-Race Interview w/ Thor Hushovd — velonews Race Recap — nbc bay area Stage 3 Recap/Stage 4 Merced Preview — abc30360 panoramic views of the San Jose Start:
pan 1 | pan 2 | pan 3 — mercurynews Daily Tour Podcast — the fredcast Stage 3 Hilites/Stage 4 Preview (12:02) — velonews Lance et al video stage 3 San Jose start — cyclefilm — the fredcast Crash Sequence — velonewsStage 3 Preview San Jose → Modesto, 105 mi (mountainous then flat)
1:10 PM PST The brave fans at the top of the Sierra Rd
|
1:40 PM PST The four man break (photo: @neilrogers)
|
| steephill is now on Twitter with all the latest race updates |
Start Time: Tuesday 12:00 PM PST ();
Live TV/Audio coverage starts: 2:00 PM PST ();
(Live video streaming is available from the start)
See all the live video, audio and text options
Approximate Finish: 4:10 PM PST ()
Current Time, Weather and Wind Direction in Modesto
Modesto Bee Tour of California Home Page — modbee
Preview of the Modesto Circuit> — modbee
The official Modesto Tour of California site — tourofcalifornia-modesto
Rider race/bib numbers
Velonews Tour of California '09 Preview
Cali-climb-ication: Preview of the climbs — cyclingnews
Stage 2 Highlights/Stage 3 Preview (9:57) — velonews
Stage 2 results: Garmin's Tom Peterson hangs onto Levi's wheel coming off Bonny Doon then pips him at the line. A great win after riding in the main break all day; Levi Leipheimer now in the gold jersey
A nice photo of riders crossing the Golden Gate bridge but not the weather the organizers were hoping for
More of Mike Norris' Bonny Doon Rd Photos
Stage 2 results: 1 Thomas Peterson (USA) Garmin 2 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana :00 3 Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia :20 4 Christopher Horner (USA) Astana :20 5 Oscar Sevilla (Spa) Rock Racing :20General classification stage 2 1 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana ( 2 Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia :24 3 David Zabriskie (USA) Garmin :27
Full Results and Report: Leipheimer asserts his authority — cyclingnews Amgen race clips — amgentourofcaliforniaLeipheimer seizes lead at AToC — velonews Pre-Race Interviews, Race Clips — versusPhotos by:
Ken Conley (Golden Gate Bridge, Tunitas Creek, final corner) |
Mike Norris (Bonny Doon KOM) | Yahoo/AP (finish) | Richard Masoner (podium) |
Graham Watson (entire route) Finish Line Video in Santa Cruz — cyclefilm
Meet the Tour of California Podium Girls — cyclefilmPeterson heeds Garmin's call with win — sports.espn.go (bonnie ford) Daily Tour Podcast w/Recap and Interviews — the fredcast Stage 2 Highlights/Stage 3 Preview (9:57) — velonews Interviews: Lance Armstrong | Floyd Landis | Johan Bruyneel — velonews Armstrong Racing through Golden Gate to Santa Cruz — abc7news
Lance Armstrong: "Levi was amazing today. Proved he's by far the strongest man in the race. Nobody close."
More photos, video and reports to come...
Stage 2 preview: Sausalito → Santa Cruz, 115 mi (mountainous)
The race director's decision to shorten stage 1 mid-race for safety reasons inadvertantly gave Francisco Mancebo a big advantage.
Pulling back 1:07 on someone who has 5 times finished in the top 10 at the Tour de France will not be easy. (photo Ken Conley)
|
12:00 PM PST Crowds at finish line in downtown Santa Cruz should expect the riders to arrive in 1.5 hours
(photo @sabinedukes) |
1:45 PM PST Huge crowds at the finish... even up on the parking garage
(photo @sabinedukes) |
| steephill is now on Twitter with all the latest race updates |
Start Time: Monday 8:30 AM PST ();
Live TV/Audio coverage starts: 9:30 AM PST ();
(Live video streaming is available from the start)
See all the live video, audio and text options
Approximate Finish: 1:30 PM PST ()
Current Time, Weather and Wind Direction in San Francisco
Viewing The Tour Of California In Santa Cruz? Don't Drive! — cyclelicio.us
(Santa Cruz) Locals get pumped for Tour of California — santacruzsentinel
Rider race/bib numbers
Velonews Tour of California '09 Preview
Cali-climb-ication: Preview of the climbs — cyclingnews
Stage 1 Highlights/Stage 2 Preview (11:34) — velonews
Stage 1 results: Today's most aggressive rider, Francisco Mancebo, is caught before the line but still wins the three man sprint(?)
high-res victory saluteStage 1 results: 1 Francisco Mancebo (Spa) Rock Racing 2 Jurgen van de Walle (Bel) Quick Step 3 Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) LiquigasLance Armstrong: "Holy hell. That was terrible. Maybe one of the toughest days I've had on a bike, purely based on the conditions"
Full (Controversial) Results and Report — cyclingnews Pre-Race Interviews, Race Clips — versusRock Racing's Francisco Mancebo wins after a long soggy day — vnPhotos by:
Mike Norris (Davis and Napa) | Carson Blume (Howell Mtn) | Ken Conley (finish) Casey Gibson | Graham Watson Unedited race clips — amgentourofcalifornia Bob Stapleton, GM of Columbia-Highroad, talks about the official ruling (02:32) — velonews Dr. Allen Lim talks about how to treat cold, wet riders (02:01) — velonews Stage 1 Highlights/Stage 2 Preview (11:34) — velonews Women's Santa Rosa Crit Photos — ken conley Womens Tour of California Santa Rosa Crit — cyclefilmStage 1 preview: Davis to Santa Rosa, 108 mi (hilly then flat)
Rain, rain and more rain at the start in Davis
|
... but the rain hasn't stopped the crowds
|
Bob Roll asks Landis wtf happened yesterday.
|
| steephill is now on Twitter with all the latest race updates |
Start Time: Sunday 12:00 PM PST ();
Live TV/Audio coverage starts: 3:00 PM PST ();
(Live video streaming is available from the start)
See all the live video, audio and text options
Approximate Finish: 4:15 PM PST ()
Current Time, Weather and Wind Direction in Santa Rosa
Rider race/bib numbers
Prologue Highlights/Stage 1 Preview (07:29) — velonews
Velonews Tour of California '09 Preview
The rain won't bother a guy (Boonen) from Belgium
|
Spartacus (Fabian) ready for battle
|
 |
| Photo by Ken Conley |
Prologue Results: Cancellara dominates the prologue; Lance finishes a respectable 10th
1 Fabian Cancellara (Saxo Bank) 4.32.90 2 Levi Leipheimer (Astana) @ 1.20 3 David Zabriskie (Garmin - Slipstream) 2.65 4 Michael Rogers (Team Columbia - Highroad) 2.79 5 Thor Hushovd (Cervelo TestTeam) 3.13 6 George Hincapie (Team Columbia - Highroad) 3.34 7 Tom Boonen (Quick Step) 3.43 8 Mark Renshaw (Team Columbia - Highroad) 4.53 9 Svein Tuft (Garmin - Slipstream) 4.15 10 Lance Armstrong (Astana) 4.26
Full Results and Report: Spartacus rules again in California prologue — cyclingnewsCancellara wins the Sacramento prologue — velonews Prologue Highlights and Interviews — versusPhotos by:
Ken Conley | Carson Blume | Mike Norris |
Graham Watson | Richard Masoner Quotes from the 2009 Prologue — amgentourofcalifornia Prologue Highlights/Stage 1 Preview (07:29) — velonews Interviews: Chris Horner | Lance Armstrong | Svein Tuft | Dave Zabriskie | Tim Johnson — velonews Prologue Start House (05:00): a cool close-up of riders in the gate — cyclefilm
The Positive Impact on Sacramento — cbs13
The Garmin work area near the start of the prologue course
|
Tom Boonen getting some last minute adjustments to his TT bike
|
Prologue start ramp
|
Prologue Preview: Downtown Sacramento
February 14 update: See spectator info (or the stage summary links to the right) and the versus preview video for details on the flat, technical 4 km prologue. As Ken Conley notes, "the final 15 riders on the start list tomorrow is going to be incredible: Armstrong, Landis, Hamilton, Zabriskie, Cancellara, Hushovd, Levi." Depending on the weather, one of the early riders, like Svein Tuft, could surprise the heavy favorites...| steephill is now on Twitter with all the latest race updates |
Start Time: Saturday 1:30 PM PST ();
Live TV/Audio coverage starts: 2:00 PM PST ();
See all the live video, audio and text options
Approximate Finish: 3:50 PM PST ()
Current Time, Weather and Wind Direction in Sacramento
Rider race/bib numbers are now (there are about 8 line-up changes)
Prologue Start Order (thanks to @jmdillon and @broomwagon)
The Sacramento Bee ATOC home page — sacbee
Levi Leipheimer talks about the prologue and other key stages — neilbrowne/roadmagazine
On Tap at AToC: The Prologue — velonews
Pre-Race Press Conference report
February 13 update: This year's press conference had about three times more media coverage as last year with Lance Armstrong being the star of the show of course. The skinny: Phil Liggett says Mark Cavendish has only one shot at a stage win this year... Floyd Landis crashed in training today. Ouch! Literally. He was injured but not enough to keep him from starting on Saturday. Levi had him picked as one of the favorites...
Lance's arch-enemy, Paul Kimmage, was here and he asked Lance a couple doping questions. There was a heated exchange surrounding the very critical article Kimmage published several months ago. Juliet Macur from the New York Times argued with Lance as well regarding her article about the end of Lance's drug testing programme before it started. In general, the media here weren't as cooperative as Armstrong's comeback in Australia... Christian Vande Velde jokingly lamented he had to train in cold, snowy Chicago this winter while others were training in more exotic locales... I'm heading back from Sacramento now; video and more photos Leipheimer confident; Armstrong under fire at pre-race press conference — velonewsTour of California: Pre-race press conference — cyclingnews Press Conference Photos — mike norrisQuotes from the Press Conference — amgentourofcaliforniaLance adds confusion to doping fight — sports.espn.go (bonnie ford)
2009 Tour of California Press Conference Photos and Video
February 13 update:
(Santa Cruz) Locals get pumped for Tour of California — santacruzsentinel
Forecasters say this year's Tour of California could be just as wet as last year's — velonews
February 12 update: Lance Armstrong: "The goal is to get Levi the victory": The guys I know are racing like it's May. — velonews
Armstrongs Drug Testing Plan Ends Before it Begins After Great Fanfare — nytimes
A list of ToC public events for Sac. and Davis — sacbee
The Sacramento Bee ATOC home page — sacbee
Video Previews
 Race Preview |
 Riders to Watch |
 The Favorites |
 The Route |
February 11 update: Versus clips (above) from last Saturday's Tour of California TV Preview on Versus. Also, check out the video previews (or prevues) for each stage located in the stage table in the upper-right corner of this page.
Spectator information recap
February 11 update: If you are new to this page and you plan on attending one or more of the stages then here's the info you need — SteveNew Feature: Group riders by team or native country
February 11 update: Here's a new Team Roster feature that is available for the Tour of California and all future race dashboards. Normally, rider names are statically grouped by team name, well now you have the ability to group riders by their native country sorted in descending order by country rider count. For example, you'll see the United States has 44 riders slated for this year's Tour of California. — Steve
> February 10 update:
Canadian Rider Has Made Unorthodox Climb to the Top — nytimesTour of California on Cycling TV: Free online video for the United States, Australia and South Africa — cycling.tvTour of California: Santa Cruz Viewing Locations — cyclelicio.usPreview: The Sprinters to Watch For — podiumcafeSolvang Information: Eats, Roads, and Whatnot — podiumcafeTour of California on Eurosport for the first time
February 2 update: Eurosport has officially announced they will have live TV coverage of the Amgen Tour of California. This marks the first time the Tour of California will be broadcast on TV in Europe. — SteveTour of California LIVE on Eurosport (time schedule) — dailypelotonVideo preview of the Tour of California climbing stages
January 29 update: Detailed video and analysis of the climbs:
January 29 update:
Colavita Squad Announced — dailypelotonJanuary 27 update:
Rabobank announces 2009 ToC roster — news.prnewswire
VERSUS on-air schedule for the Amgen Tour of California
| steephill is now on Twitter with all the latest race updates |
January 23 update: For those following the Tour of California from the United States, here is the TV schedule from VERSUS. Those at a remote work location can watch using their home cable service via the internet with this device: Sling Media Slingbox SOLO or watch online (details forthcoming). — Steve| Feb 7 | Preview Show | 5 p.m. ET (2 p.m. PT) |
| Feb 14 | Prologue - Sacramento (live/same-day delay) | 5 p.m. ET (2 p.m. PT) |
| Feb 15 | Stage 1, Davis to Santa Rosa (live/same-day delay) | 6 p.m. ET (3 p.m. PT) |
| Feb 16 | Stage 2, Sausalito to Santa Cruz (live) | 12:30 p.m. ET (9:30 a.m. PT) |
| Feb 17 | Stage 3, San Jose to Modesto (live) | 5 p.m. ET (2 p.m. PT) |
| Feb 18 | Stage 4, Merced to Clovis (live) | 4 p.m. ET (1 p.m. PT) |
| Feb 19 | Stage 5, Visalia to Paso Robles (live) | 4 p.m. ET (1 p.m. PT) |
| Feb 20 | Stage 6, Solvang time trial (live) | 4 p.m. ET (1 p.m. PT) |
| Feb 21 | Stage 7, Santa Clarita to Pasadena (live/same-day delay) | 5 p.m. ET (2 p.m. PT) |
| Feb 22 | Stage 8, Rancho Bernardo to Escondido (live/same-day delay) | 5 p.m. ET (2 p.m. PT) |
Versus nightly/recap schedule and other viewing options — teamouch* Times subject to change
Final Teams Announced For The 2009 Amgen Tour Of California
January 22 update: The 2009 Amgen Tour of California will feature the following 17 professional cycling teams (the eight ProTour teams where previously announced):
Ag2r-La Mondiale (FRA)
Astana (KAZ)
Bissell Pro Cycling Team (USA)*
BMC Racing Team (USA)*
Cervelo Test Team (SUI)*
Colavita/Sutter Home Presented by Cooking Light (USA)*
Fly V Australia presented by Successful Living Foundation Team (AUS)*
Garmin-Chipotle (USA)
Jelly Belly Cycling Team (USA)*
Liquigas (ITA)
Ouch Presented by Maxxis (USA)*
Quick Step (BEL)
Rabobank (Netherlands)
Rock Racing (USA)*
Saxo Bank (DEN)
Team Columbia (USA)
Team Type 1 (USA)*
*Newly announced
"These 17 teams represent the strongest field we have had at the Amgen Tour of California and the greatest collection of riders ever assembled on American soil," said Andrew Messick, President of AEG Sports. "Besides Lance Armstrong, we are expecting a generation's worth of great American riders in Levi Leipheimer, Christian van de Velde, Floyd Landis, current national champion Tyler Hamilton and four-time stage winner George Hincapie. International riders include current Tour de France champion Carlos Sastre, Giro d'Italia winner Ivan Basso, Fabian Cancellara, Tom Boonen, Thor Hushvold and the fastest man in the world, Mark Cavendish."
Carlo Sastre says he'll be at this year's Tour of California
January 9 update: Cervélo must be one of the teams to be officially announced because their new rider and last year's Tour de France champion, Carlo's Sastre, says "I will start at the Tour of California, then I will race the Tour of the Basque Country and some of the classics. Later I will decide if I race the Giro or not. If I don't, I will have the Vuelta instead."Sastre to debut at Tour of California — velonewsColumbia announces Tour of California roster
January 5 update: Bob Stapleton says the Tour of California is "rapidly becoming a top-three worldwide cycling event" and as such has selected a strong Team Columbia roster lead by the world's fastest sprinter, Mark Cavendish and American George Hincapie. Cyclingnews reports the rest of the roster "includes former World time trial Champion Michael Rogers, Tour de France yellow jersey wearer Kim Kirchen, Tour de France best young rider jersey wearer Thomas Lövkvist, Australian national time trial champion Adam Hansen, Mark Renshaw, and Canadian Michael Barry, Tour of Missouri stage winner in 2008." — Steve
Lance Says Tour of Cali will be shown Live on Vs. — podiumcafeProTour Teams Announced For 2009 Amgen Tour of California
December 18 update: Eight ProTour teams were announced for the next Tour of California: Ag2r-La Mondiale (FRA), Astana (LUX), Garmin-Slipstream (USA), Liquigas (ITA), Quick Step (BEL), Rabobank (Netherlands), Columbia Highroad (USA), Team Saxo Bank (DEN)."The success of the Amgen Tour of California has created a very positive reputation among the professional cycling community, which has helped to ensure the high level of competition that people have come to expect from our race," said Andrew Messick, president of AEG Sports, presenter of the race. "We have invited the best teams that the world has to offer to compete on an outstanding course. The success of the race, combined with an updated, world-class route will ensure a level of competition that is unprecedented in the United States."
The full list of teams will be announced in January, with final rosters due in February. — Steve
Stage Maps, Profiles and Descriptions are now up...
December 4 update: Details from today's route details press release are summerized below and in the stage details table (upper-right). There are two significant changes from the original plans. The out-and-back road stage in Sacramento is now an opening 2.4 mi prologue and the last stage was suppose to end in the first Tour of California mountaintop finish (Palomar Mountain). Instead, the race will finish with a flat run into Escondido. Palomar Mountain will still be featured, but the summit is now 45 miles from the finish. In any case, 2009 be the first time the Tour ventures into San Diego county. — SteveAlso see: Longer, higher and stronger for 2009 Tour of California — cyclingnewsTour of California to stop in Santa Cruz — tourofcalifornia-santacruzSacramento opening stage is now a prologue; Santa Rosa course details unofficially released
December 2 update:Stage 1 (Santa Rosa) route set for 2009 Amgen Tour — pressdemocrat
November 12 update: Rabobank Signs 3 Year Agreement as Founding Partner of the 2009 Amgen Tour of California — dailypeloton
Stage 3 Sausalito to Santa Cruz Route Details
October 29 update: ... Stage 3 will begin in Sausalito. It will cross over the Golden Gate Bridge and wind through San Francisco before heading south along the coast on Highway 1. Just south of Half Moon Bay, [Steve] Johnson said the course is expected to veer from the highway onto Tunitas Creek Road, where the riders will face their first climb, of about 2,600 feet. After connecting with Skyline Boulevard and La Honda Road, they will likely return to the highway via Pescadero Road. Daunting Bonny Doon Road could be the cyclists' next climb. They'll ascend roughly 2,250 feet in 7.5 miles before flying down the crooks and crannies of Empire Grade Road into Santa Cruz. Both Johnson and [Matt] Twisselman said they are looking at possibly routing the race through the streets of UC Santa Cruz before sending it to the downtown finish... The official route will be released in late November.source:
2009 Tour of California: Stage 3 will finish at Town Clock in Santa Cruz — mercurynews
photo courtesy of cyclelicio.us | full-size image
September 25 update: This morning at a press conference at Interbike, Lance Armstrong confirmed that he will be participating in the 2009 Amgen Tour of California. Also see, Armstrong addresses industry, LeMond crashes party
September 9 update:
Lance Armstrong Confirms Comeback For 2009 — cyclingweekly.co.ukArmstrong coming out of retirement for Tour — APWhat will Lance gain if he returns? That's a loaded question — sports.espn.go2009 Tour of California Host Cities Announced
July 23 update: Beginning with a road stage (a first for the race), which both starts and ends in Sacramento, through the grand finale in Escondido, the 2009 race will visit 16 host cities including 8 new ones (Davis, Santa Cruz, Merced, Clovis, Visalia, Paso Robles, Rancho Bernardo and Escondido). Stages for the 2009 Amgen Tour of California include:
* Stage 1: Saturday, Feb. 14 - Sacramento
* Stage 2: Sunday, Feb. 15 - Davis to Santa Rosa
* Stage 3: Monday, Feb. 16 - Sausalito to Santa Cruz
* Stage 4: Tuesday, Feb. 17 - San Jose to Modesto
* Stage 5: Wednesday, Feb. 18 - Merced to Clovis
* Stage 6: Thursday, Feb. 19 - Visalia to Paso Robles
* Stage 7: Friday, Feb. 20 - Solvang (individual time trial)
* Stage 8: Saturday, Feb. 21 - Santa Clarita to Pasadena
* Stage 9: Sunday, Feb. 22 - Rancho Bernardo to Escondido
(no prologue, one more day (stage), finishes in San Diego county with a mountaintop finish on Palomar Mountain)
The nine-day event once again includes a time trial in Solvang and for the first time a crossing of the Golden Gate Bridge during Stage 3 from Sausalito to Santa Cruz. Also a first, the riders will cycle the foothills of the western Sierra Nevada.
One of the aspects left off the press release announcement is that the final stage near San Diego will actually be a mountain top finish, another first for the race. "The final stage is planned to be a mountain stage up Mt. Palomar. Whoever wins the race will have to have legs on the final day!"... read more — cyclingnews
Press Release
LOS ANGELES (July 23, 2008) - The record-setting Amgen Tour of California professional cycling road race will be expanded in 2009, race presenter AEG announced today through a series of press conferences throughout the state. The 2009 race will include stops in 16 host cities over the course of nine days from February 14-22. Already considered cycling's most important and successful road race in the United States , the event's fourth running will be expanded to cover more than 800 miles over the nine days. Traveling almost the entire length of California , the race will begin in the state's capital, Sacramento , and end in San Diego County (a new addition to the race) with a finish in Escondido on February 22. Also for the first time, the riders will cross the Golden Gate Bridge at the beginning of Stage 3.
The 16 official stage start and finish cities that have been selected for the 2009 race include eight new locales - Davis, Santa Cruz, Merced, Clovis, Visalia, Paso Robles, Rancho Bernardo and Escondido - that will join Sacramento, Santa Rosa, Sausalito, San Jose, Modesto, Solvang, Santa Clarita and Pasadena as host cities along the route.
"Each year, we strive to make the Amgen Tour of California better," said Andrew Messick, president of AEG Sports, presenter of the race. "And after getting input from riders and fans last year, we decided to expand the race to better showcase the great state of California . We are delighted to have such a great overall mix of cities partnering with us for the 2009 Amgen Tour of California and are pleased to include the eight new stops, along with so many of our old friends."
In its first three years, the Amgen Tour of California has become the most successful race in the United States with regards to attendance, economic benefits to the state, global recognition and the caliber of the cyclists participating. In 2008, the race drew 1.6 million spectators, continuing to set records for a single sporting event in the state of California , as well as any cycling event ever held on U.S. soil. Each year the race has generated $100 million in economic growth for the state.
"This year is a year of exciting firsts for us," Messick continued. "For the first time, the Amgen Tour of California will take place over nine days, we will make our first visit to the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada and visit San Diego County for what promises to be another exciting conclusion to the race." The Amgen Tour of California kicks off the professional road cycling season each year and continues to draw some of the world's most renowned and respected riders, such as top Tour de France competitors, World Champions and Olympic medalists that include Tom Boonen, Paolo Bettini, Fabian Cancellara, George Hincapie, Oscar Freire and Bobby Julich. Winner of the 2007 and 2008 Amgen Tour of California, Santa Rosa resident Levi Leipheimer of the Astana team has had a strong season since his Amgen Tour of California victory earlier in the year and will next be representing the United States in the Olympic Games. "Winning the Amgen Tour of California has been a goal of mine from the beginning; no matter which races I compete in," said Levi Leipheimer. "This has always been a top priority for me."
Last month AEG, presenter of the race, formed a multi-dimensional marketing partnership with the Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO), owner of the Tour de France, to grow and develop each other's events. Beginning with the 2008 Tour de France and 2009 Amgen Tour of California, the multi-year agreement calls for the organizations to develop and initiate comprehensive cross-promotional platforms for the world's most prestigious cycling event and America's most successful cycling race, as well as provide assistance with media and sponsorship sales for the races in their respective regions.
Returning for the fourth consecutive year as the title sponsor of the Amgen Tour of California, Amgen, a leading global biotechnology company with headquarters in Thousand Oaks , Calif. , will continue to leverage the race to raise awareness and support for people affected by cancer through the Breakaway from CancerTM initiative. Amgen's invaluable support of the Amgen Tour of California has helped to ensure the race's continued success and impact beyond the sporting arena.
"Sponsorship of the Amgen Tour of California has given Amgen the opportunity to educate people about the great advances in medicine made possible by biotechnology, and to strengthen our relationships with local communities, cancer support organizations and cancer survivors through our Breakaway from Cancer initiative," said George Morrow, Amgen's executive vice president, Global Commercial Operations. "We look forward to another great race in 2009 and the opportunity to again lead the Breakaway from Cancer initiative to increase awareness of the support and educational resources available to help people living with cancer."
Having been sanctioned by the UCI (Union Cycliste International) and USA Cycling, the Amgen Tour of California has drawn the attention of both cycling enthusiasts and first-time spectators, making it one of the most anticipated events on the international cycling calendar.
June 16 update: TdF, Amgen Tour partner on promotions — velonews
and Tour of California to partner with Tour de France organizer — usatoday
June 7 update: Palo Alto may host Tour of California race again — paloaltodailynews
Tour of California 2009 Dates
Feburary 26th update: At the post-race press conference, Andrew Messick, president of AEG Sports, was asked if the Tour of California might be looking for a spot on the calendar that might be a bit warmer, drier and influenza-resistant than February. "That's one of the issues we're starting to think about," says Messick. "We need to start thinking strategically about becoming a Grand Tour. Part of that thinking involves finding the right place on the calendar." In any case, the numbers of stages will continue to grow. According to race director Jim Birrell, "we'll possibly consider a nine day event next year. We have 52 different packages that we're considering as far south as below San Diego and as far north as Chico. And so if it works out logistically, we could seriously consider growing to a weekend to weekend event." — SteveTour of California 2008 Archived Coverage (2008 Results, Photos and Video)