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LATEST NEWS: SCHLECK WINS STAGE, LEIPHEIMER TAKES THIRD TOUR OF CALIFORNIA TITLE
Road Bike Action
February 22, 2009
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(Photo: Roberto Bettini)
The final stage of the 2009 Tour of California started under overcasts skies in the city of Rancho Bernardo, California. The main obstacle for the day was the climb up Palomar Mountain climb. At 11.7 miles, with an average seven percent grade, 4,200 feet of climbing and 21 switchbacks it had the potential to decide the race. Notable non-starters for the final stage included Tom Boonen, Carlos Sastre, and Thor Hushovd.
As the riders approached the first of four KOM spots a break of eight including Andy Schleck (Team Saxo Bank), Jason McCartney (Team Saxo Bank), Thomas Peterson (Garmin-Slipstream), Bauke Mollema (Rabobank), Christophe Riblon (AG2R La Mondiale), Serge Pauwels (Cervélo TestTeam), Alexandre Moos (BMC Racing Team) and Ben Jacques-Maynes (Bissell Pro Cycling) rode clear and quickly established a 25 second gap.
Over the top of the climb it was Jason McCartney taking the points ahead of teammate Andy Schleck and Ben Jacques-Maynes. The break increased their gap on the road to the second climb, but has grade increased the break began to come apart with Andy Schleck, Jason McCartney Serge Pauwels and Ben Jacques-Maynes holding a 30 second gap over the top. As they went over the top McCartney again took the points ahead of Jacques Maynes and Pauwels.
After the climb, Schleck dropped back, leaving McCartney, Pauwels, and Jacques-Maynes out front. The three leaders were rejoined by the other riders from the break near the bottom of the descent. With all of the break working together the break increased their gap to 1.20.
At the base of Palomar Mountain the gap was up to 2.20. As the chasing peloton hit the climb Oscar Sevilla (Rock Racing) attacked hard, taking Frank Schleck and Floyd Landis with him. As the break broke apart, a second group formed including Frank Schleck (Team Saxo Bank), Jens Voigt (Team Saxo Bank), Thomas Danielson (Garmin-Slipstream), Kevin Seeldraeyers (Quick Step) and Robert Gesink (Rabobank) rode clear of the peloton.
As the climb up Palomar Mountain continued, the front group continued to shuffle with Levi Leipheimer (Astana), Andy Schleck (Team Saxo Bank), Fränk Schleck (Team Saxo Bank), Jens Voigt (Team Saxo Bank), Michael Rogers (Team Columbia - Highroad), David Zabriskie (Garmin-Slipstream), Robert Gesink (Rabobank), Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas), Thomas Danielson (Garmin-Slipstream) going over the top together with Jens Voigt taking the KOM points ahead of Leipheimer and Gesink.
On the descent, Nibali and Schleck rode clear, with Glenn Chadwick (Rock Racing) and Bauke Mollema (Rabobank) bridging to make a lead group of four. With 31 miles remaining, Chadwick attacked the group and quickly established a 10-second gap.
The chasers finally brought Chadwick back at the base of the Cole Grade climb. Half way up the climb, Schleck and Nibali attacked and rode clear of Mollema and Chadwick. Behind Armstrong took control of the peloton as they absorbed Mollema and Chadwick. With Nibali and Schleck working together they extended their lead to 1.05.
With Nibali only 2.21 down on Leipheimer, Astana remained on the front keeping the gap at about a minute. With 3 miles to go Columbia-Highroad, Rock Racing and Garmin-Slipstream took over at the front to bring it back for the sprinters – but it wouldn’t be enough. Nibali and Schleck entered the final kilometer with Schleck sitting on Nibali. With two hundred meters to go, Schleck sprinted clear of Nibali to take the win. George Hincapie won the field sprint for third, while Leipheimer finished safely in the bunch to win his third straight Tour of California
Check back for a full race report
Tour of California, February 14-22 2009
Sunday, February 22
Stage 8: Rancho Bernardo - Escondido, California
1. Frank Schleck (LUX/Saxo Bank)
2. Vincenzo Nibali (ITA/Liquigas) s.t.
3. George Hincapie (USA/Columbia-Highroad)
General Classification After Stage 8
1. Levi Leipheimer (USA/Astana)
2. David Zabriskie (USA) at 36sec
3. Michael Rogers (AUS) at 46sec
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