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Leipheimer wins Tour of California -- again

For the third straight year, Levi Leipheimer is the champion of the Amgen Tour of California. That's not a big surprise, given he took over the lead Monday and had the Astana team to protect him. One of his teammates, of course, is Lance Armstrong, who rode in support of Leipheimer during this race and finished 7th overall.

David Zabriskie was second overall, 36 seconds behind Leipheimer. Michael Rogers finished third.

Mark Cavendish was the top sprinter, Jason McCartney was the King of the Mountain, and Robert Gesink was the top young rider. Not surprisingly, Astana won the team competition.

The 96.8-mile final stage in San Diego County today featured aride up snowcapped Palomar Mountain, where the cyclists reached the 5,123-foot level on a two-lane highway with 21 switchbacks. Frank Schleck won the stage.

Labels: cycling, racing, Tour of California

Roger 1 comments links to this post 7:35 PM

Landis briefly in the limelight

For the most part, Floyd Landis has been sitting back in the shadows of the Amgen Tour of California. Going into today's final stage, he's is 32nd place, 10 minutes and 26 seconds behind leader Levi Leipheimer.

While most eyes have been focused on Leipheimer and Astana teammate Lance Armstrong, who's in sixth place 1:46 behind and riding in a supporting role for Leipheimer, Landis briefly jumped into the limelight Saturday during a post-stage press conference.

The New York Times noted Landis is looking forward to the final stage Sunday, which includes an ascent of Mount Palomar, which had served as a training ride for him near his home in Temecula. The Times noted he answered some of his questions with "the sort of self-deprecating humor that added to Landis’s charm."

“I’ve never raced up it before,” Landis said. “My experience usually involves having a burrito at the bottom. I’m not going to be able to do that.”

Landis refused to answer questions about his past, which includes being stripped of his 2006 Tour de France title because of positive tests for banned substances. To read the full transcript of Landis' remarks, go to VeloNews.

Another American cyclist whose career was tainted by doping allegation, Tyler Hamilton, isn't faring well this race. Hamilton is in 95th place -- out of 97 riders -- and he's 49:25 behind Leipheimer. Hamilton has been riding in support of his Rock Racing team.

"I have a little bit different perspective on things," Hamilton told the Denver Post. "I'm just enjoying it, when before I didn't enjoy it as much. I'm 37 years old. I turn 38 in less than two weeks. Maybe this is my last Tour of California, so I'm going to enjoy it."

Labels: cycling, racing, Tour of California

Roger 0 comments links to this post 1:41 PM

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Hooray for the sun!

It's good to see the sun out today for Stage 4 of the Amgen Tour of California as the cyclists make their way from Merced to the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas, but still a distance from the glory of Yosemite National Park. I remember the stretch of California 140 the cyclists are on now from my visit to Yosemite in 2004, when I took a bus from Merced to Yosemite.

Unfortunately, the weather has almost been as big of a story as Levi Leipheimer's effort to win a third straight Tour of California or Lance Armstrong's strong fourth-place showing.

The San Jose Mercury News noted the sogginess has led some to suggest switching the event to spring. A window has opened in April or May with the recent cancellation of Tour of Georgia, one of three major U.S. tours. But moving the Tour of California to spring would force a scheduling conflict with many of the world's best cyclists. It would dilute the field and diminish the tour's prestige.

"One of the most important races in the world should be in North America," said Andrew Messick, president of event owner Anschutz Entertainment Group. "That's our journey."

The wretched weather also has played havoc with Versus' coverage of the event. For three straight days, the race's fix-winged aircraft carrying the communications and broadcast technology couldn't fly. As a result, Versus hasn't been able to provide the expansive live coverage it had planned.

On top of that, it slowed the rides down so much that the race wasn't finished when Versus broke away to NHL coverage at 6 p.m. Central Time. That drew an angry response from Armstrong on his Twitter site.

"I heard from lots of folks that Versus cut off Tour of California coverage for hockey. Lame!" Armstrong wrote.

Sadly, it's proof cycling still has a long ways to go on the American sports scene.

Labels: cycling, television, Tour of California

Roger 0 comments links to this post 1:58 PM

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Tour of California 2009

In a matter of hours (3:30 p.m. Central Time), the Amgen Tour of California gets under way with the 2.4-mile prologue. Cycling broadcaster Phil Liggett has ranked it "as the fourth or fifth biggest race in the world,'' and who am I to doubt him!

Clearly, the vast majority of eyes will be upon Lance Armstrong, who is racing for the first time in the United States since ending his retirement, But Armstrong insists he will be riding in support of Astana teammate and two-time defending Tour of California champion Levi Leipheimer.

The eyes also be on a group of former dopers, including Ivan Basso, Tyler Hamilton, David Millar and Floyd Landis, who won the 2006 Tour of California before later that year stripped of his Tour de France championship. The San Jose Mercury News likens the field to the "equivalent to inviting Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Jason Giambi and Alex Rodriguez to play ball."

But it's possible the winner could be someone like defending Tour de France champion Carlos Sastre, defending Tour of Missouri champion Christian Vande Velde and American cycling legend George Hincapie.

I'l try to cover the race the best I can from 2,000 miles away, but I suggest you follow some of the links on the right side of the page to get up-to-date coverage from people who are there. You also might want to follow California-based blogs such as Cyclelicious to get the inside story. You also can watch it on Versus, which is airing the Tour of California with nearly the same frequency as it does the Tour de France. (Note: The times listed on the Versus schedule are Eastern Time.)

The Tour of California site is offering a live tracker of the event, and you can watch the race for free at Cycling TV.

Labels: cycling, Lance Armstrong, racing, Tour of California

Roger 0 comments links to this post 12:37 PM

Sunday, February 24, 2008

2008 Tour of California summary

"Seems it never rains in Southern California.
Seems I've often heard that kind of talk before.
It never rains in California.
But, girl, don't they warn ya.
It pours, man, it pours."

With apologies to Albert Hammond, who wrote and recorded the 1970s hit "It Never Rains in Southern California," the finishers of this year's Amgen Tour of California certainly can tell you that it does indeed rain in California.

After getting soaked by the rains drenched some of this year's ride, including the final stage today that ended at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Levi Leipheimer soaked in the glory of having won his second straight Tour of California. Slipstream-Chipotle's David Millar and Christian Vande Velde, a Chicago-area native, filled out the final podium.

2007 Tour of Missouri winner and former Discovery Channel teammate George Hincapie won the final stage, nearly a minute ahead of the pack that included Leipheimer.

Despite the horrible weather -- by Southern California standards -- a large crowd came out for the final stage, according to media reports.

Now that Leipheimer has won the Tour of California, maybe he can win his next battle, getting in the 2008 Tour de France.

Labels: cycling, racing, Tour of California

Roger 1 comments links to this post 6:56 PM

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

The new Specialized Angel

Photo by Ken Conley

Thanks to California photographer Ken Conley, we have an interesting photo of the new Specialized Angel who has been gracing this year's Amgen Tour of California.

I haven't been able to track down her name, despite numerous Google news, blog and Web searches.

A reader who commented on an earlier post about the previous Specialized Angel, Jana Ireton, thinks the new Angel is very lovely.

I would agree, but I have to admit I'm an Jana fan. But, as Jana says, I wish Specialized and its new Angel the best of luck.

Labels: Specialized Angel, Tour of California

Roger 2 comments links to this post 2:21 AM

Friday, February 15, 2008

2008 Amgen Tour of California

Will Levi Leipheimer defend his Amgen Tour of California title? We'll find out next week as the event kicks off Sunday with the Prologue in Palo Alto, Calif.

Although I will leave the expert commentary to the sources listed on the right column of this blog and to California-based blogs such as Fritz's Cycle-Licious, I may talk about aspects of the Tour from time to time.

For those of us stuck in the Midwest, the Versus cable TV channel will be providing same-day coverage of the race, beginning at 4 p.m. CST Sunday. If that's not good enough for you, you can watch each day's stages live, "as live" and highlights at Cycling TV. You can see a lower-resolution version (up to 400 kbs) of the race for free, or you can pay to see a higher-resolution version (up to 1,200 kbs).

It will be odd to see Leipheimer and George Hincapie racing for a team other than the now-disbanded Discovery Cycling Team. Leipheimer will be racing for Astana, while Hincapie will be racing for High Road.

Other top racers entered in the Tour of California include Bobby Julich (Team CSC), Paolo Bettini and Tom Boonan (Quick Step), and David Millar and David Zabriskie (Slipstream Chipotle Presented By H30).

Sadly, too, this will be the first Tour of California without Jana Ireton as the Specialized Angel. As reported here last month, a woman from Spain will be the new Specialized Angel. Jana said Specialized wanted an Angel who spoke multiple languages.

Jana said she still be along the sidelines watching the races. While I'm sure the new Specialized Angel will be lovely as she blows kisses to the cyclists as they pass, it won't be the same. Jana really impressed me as a class act; she always sent me and other bloggers who featured her thank-you notes for writing about her.

Although the race is only three years old, it is the gem of Medalist Sports' stable of multiday American stage races. Medalist Sports also plays a key role in the Tour of Georgia and Tour of Missouri.

Let the racing begin!

Labels: cycling, racing, Tour of California

Roger 2 comments links to this post 11:24 AM

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

A new Angel for Specialized

Here's a disappointing bit of news: Jana Ireton won't be back as the Specialized Angel for this year's Amgen Tour of California bicycle race on Feb. 17-24.

Here's the note Jana sent me today.

Hello Roger,

Happy 2008! I hope all is well with you. Another great year of cycling is among us and TOC is less than a month away.

I was hoping to share the good news of my return as the Specialized Angel for the 3rd year, but Specialized did not ask for my return. I was heart-broken when they gave me the news that they decided to have another girl from Spain be the Angel at TOC this year. They thanked me for all I've done to make the Angel iconic and to not take it personal, but it was the majority opinion of having this someone be the Angel who spoke multiple languages and keeping it fresh for the press.

It was very difficult for me to imagine someone else in my wings. After all, I was the first Specialized Angel who the cycling industry was so taken with and I was so taken with them. Being that there has been one Devil (Didi Senft) in Europe for many years, I was dreaming whole-heartily of being the one Angel for the U.S. I do respect Specialized's decision for whomever they choose to be their Angel -- I'm just disheartened that it will not be me.

I have to say as I told Specialized that I am truly grateful to have been the Specialized Angel all this time and will remember this amazing experience for the rest of my life. I've been able to embrace the cycling phenomenon like never before. I absolutely loved being at the KOMs, starts, & finishes blowing my signature kisses to all the riders, team cars, motorcades, police squad cars, caravan, and of course the fantastic fans. So a special thanks to you and featuring me in your blog these past 2 years and although you will not see me in my glorious wings, I will be along the sidelines cheering on the riders at various stages of TOC and enjoying every moment as I have always done. And yes, "I am Specialized!"

Kisses,
Jana Ireton

I, too, am disappointed that Jana will not be the Specialized Angel. I've never met Jana, but she always has been kind and gracious in her notes to me over the years. It sounds like she's taking the news as well as can be expected, but the fact she still will attend the Tour of California tells me she's a class act.

With that, I leave you with one more photo of Jana:

Labels: Specialized Angel, Tour of California

Roger 2 comments links to this post 7:55 PM

Saturday, January 05, 2008

Trail sabotage

Thanks to the miracle that is The Associated Press, I found about this man who is accused of sabotaging a mountain bike trail in Fullerton, Calif.

Warren John Wilson, 52, faces a single felony count of vandalism, police Sgt. Linda King told the AP.

As many as 50 holes were dug in a popular bike trail, some disguised with branches and brush. Some bikers along the trail reported being thrown over their handlebars when they rode over the deliberately dug holes, although no one was seriously injured.

Police say they caught him leaving the trail that runs parallel to Fullerton's Bud Turner Trail at Laguna Lake Park after fresh holes had been dug, King told the Orange County Register.

When detectives questioned him, Wilson said he had "almost been run over" by a mountain bike rider and began digging the holes and placing obstacles on the trail to retaliate, King told the Register.

There's nothing quite like desecration to exact some vigilante "justice." While it's entirely possible that the cyclist was at fault in not yielding to a walker, Wilson -- if convicted -- may find out the hard way that reporting the incident to a park ranger or police officer would have been a much better way to deal with the problem than digging holes.

Labels: crime, mountain biking, Tour of California, trails

Roger 0 comments links to this post 10:14 AM

Wednesday, February 07, 2007

The Return of the Angel!

Cycling fans -- especially male ones -- will be happy to learn that Jana Ireton will reprise her role as the Specialized Angel during this year's Amgen Tour of California, slated for Feb. 18-25.

I sent an e-mail to Jana on Monday night, and she responded to me Tuesday afternoon. Here's her reply:

Hello Roger,

Thank you so much for your nice email. It is great to hear from you again. I am happy to announce that I will be returning with Specialized this year as their Angel for the TOC!!!

I'm so excited to be a part of TOC for the 2nd year. I was delighted that Specialized asked for my return. Last year was incredible as the Specialized Angel being at 4 tours: TOC, Sea Otter, Giro (d'Italia), and TOF (Tour de France). Amazing!!!

Thank you as well for mentioning me on your blog. It is such a privilege and I do have your blog saved in my favorites and have passed it on to all my friends, family, and of course Specialized and my good friends in the cycling industry too. ...

Angel Kisses,
Jana Ireton

For those of you unable to see the Tour of California live, the race will be broadcast this year on the Versus channel (formerly OLN), and the TV schedule has been posted on the tour's Web site.

This year's race should be of special of interest to bicycle racing fans in the Midwest. It will give you a taste of what to expect in the inaugural Tour of Missouri, which will be Sept. 11-16. The same organization that manages the Tour of California, Medalist Sports, also will manage the Tour of Missouri.

We can only hope that in addition to the elite cyclists that will be coming to Missouri that the Specialized Angel will be coming to spread her blessings among cyclists and spectators alike!

Speaking of the Tour of Missouri, the KCBike.Info blog is reporting that there will be an announcement concerning the route Thursday in Kansas City, Mo. The folks in Springfield, Mo., are confident their city will be the finishing spot for an early stage of the tour, the Springfield News-Leader reports.

And if the map released early today by the Missouri Bicycle Federation (PDF file) is correct, they shall have their wish. The map -- which lacks information about the precise roads that will be used -- indicates the following:

Stage 1 (Sept. 11): Road race with finishing circuit in Kansas City
Stage 2 (Sept. 12): Road race from Clinton to Springfield
Stage 3 (Sept. 13): Time trial in Branson
Stage 4 (Sept. 14): Road race from Lebanon to Columbia
Stage 5 (Sept. 15): Road race from Jefferson City to St. Charles
Stage 6 (Sept. 16): Circuit race in St. Louis

Labels: cycling, racing, Specialized Angel, Tour of California, Tour of Missouri

Roger 0 comments links to this post 3:02 AM