Chris Horner of RadioShack, a professional since 1995, yesterday took the stage win at what organisers say is the first ever true mountain summit finish in the Amgen Tour of California at Sierra Road near San Jose following a stage that included five categorised climbs.
The Canadian Ryder Hesjedal of Garmin Crevelo had led the field onto the day’s final climb, but Horner and team mate Levi Leipheimer, winner of the race in 2007, 2008 and 2009, managed to bridge across before the 39-year-old made his successful bid for victory, crossing the line 1 minute 15 seconds ahead of his RadioShack colleague. Hesjedal’s team mate Tom Danielson came third, a further 7 seconds back.
"Our goal today was to blow apart the field, and we did," said Horner afterwards. "The last five weeks I was on a mission to come to the Amgen Tour of California in the best fitness of my life. I've put in the best five weeks of training, and it has been a hard five weeks, but it was worth it because it was an easy five kilometers to the top of the summit."
Hesjedal said: "On today's stage, we had the guys to bring the pressure," said Hesjedal. "It was fun to see Levi (Leipheimer) and Chris (Horner) out there today. Chris just kind of rolled away and Levi sat on me. Fortunately, I was able to stay in there and bring a little bit of time back for the team. There is still a lot of racing left and putting pressure on Team RadioShack over the next few days is a big goal of ours."
At the start of the stage in Livermore, a minute’s silence was held for Wouter Weylandt, whose funeral was held in Ghent, Belgium, yesterday morning. Leopard Trek, led by Andy Schleck, then came to the front of the peloton to lead out the riders for the stage.
Horner’s performance sees him take over the race leader’s yellow jersey from Team Sky’s Greg Henderson, with Leipheimer and Danielson moving up to second and third respectively.
I find issues all the time for a car driver that wouldn't be an issue on the bike, ie roads closed to vehicles that are still passable on a bike, ...
If RoadCC and similar specialist mass media organs were serious about being not just ethical about climate change factors but about the whole...
I'd like to think that in addition to the very well exposed supply chain argument made by Patrick, the simply outrageous price of Shimano...
That bike with clearance for 33c, tracklocross style, could be a winner.
Hellish! Barely used, clearly dangerous, slowing competent cyclists down while pandering to the clueless, a serious threat to pedestrians, won't...
"I ran into the back of him because I was traumatised by seeing the latest petrol prices, m'lud"
Are you sure? Norway is socialist and has a very high quality of life.
Glad I got mine before that change in ownership.
Same sketch everywhere, or so it seems. Take Whitelegg Way in Bournemouth. Wide cycle lanes put in both sides of a (formerly very wide) two lane...
My first thought on reading the headline was "ooh, has Clevedon put in covered bike parking now?".