Chris Carmichael and CTS Team “Going Pro” for 2012 Amgen Tour of California, Riding Entire Race Course

Colorado Springs, CO – For the second year, Carmichael Training Systems has partnered with AEG, presenter of the Amgen Tour of California, to deliver an exclusive experience for serious amateur cyclists. A select team of athletes and CTS Coaches, including CTS Founder and CEO, Chris Carmichael, are “going pro” for the 2012 Amgen Tour of California as part of “The Amgen Tour of California Race Experience.” The team will ride more than 750 miles in eight days to complete every stage of the 2012 Amgen Tour of California.

The CTS Amgen Tour of California Race Experience will put amateur cyclists, selected through an online application process, on the start line of every stage of the 2012 Amgen Tour of California a few hours before the professional peloton departs. This is not a wine-and-cheese cycling tour; the CTS team must work together as a cohesive unit and ride fast enough to stay ahead of the approaching professional peloton. If they do not, they will be forced off the race course by the pros.

Carmichael, who raced the 1986 Tour de France with the iconic 7-Eleven Team and directed US National Cycling Teams at some of the world’s biggest races, said, “I’ve been around professional cycling for a long time and I wanted to create an unforgettable opportunity for cycling fans to experience a professional stage race from the inside. Athletes on my team are going to feel the pressure of being chased by the peloton, understand the need to work together as a team, and share the camaraderie that only comes from experiencing extreme efforts together.”

Carrying the Amgen Tour of California Race Experience well beyond the bike, the race organization will provide the CTS Team with similar accommodations, meals, and amenities as the pro teams competing in the event. And just like the pros, riders will be required to live out of one team-supplied duffel bag, have professional mechanics on the route with them, and professional massage therapy after each stage.

“Last year’s Amgen Tour of California Race Experience was a tremendous success,” commented Carmichael. “We had 22 riders and coaches on the team, which ultimately managed to reach the finish line in time each day and complete the entire race. We want to thank AEG for their continued support of our event and for cycling in general. Their commitment to our event has helped us to create an unparalleled experience for devoted amateur cyclists.”

The cost of this exclusive race experience is $11,500 and CTS is accepting applications from riders who believe they have the fitness to successfully complete this challenge. Interested athletes should apply online for the CTS Amgen Tour of California Race Experience Team. There is no cost to apply, must be at least 18 years old to participate, and applications must be completed by December 16, 2011.

"We're thrilled to be partnering with Carmichael Training Systems once again for the 'going pro’ racing experience," said Kristin Bachochin, executive director of the Amgen Tour of California. "We're proud that the Amgen Tour of California can be the platform for this once-in-a-lifetime experience for amateur cyclists. Given that last year, the team was able to ride the same course as the professionals and finish the race in time is a testament to their tremendous athleticism. We look forward to supporting the 2012 team next year."

The Amgen Tour of California Race Experience is one event in “Chris Carmichael’s Epic Endurance Bucket List.” Others events on the list include the Leadville 100, Trans Andes, and the La Ruta de los Conquistadores. These epic events target the adventurous endurance athlete and feature various packages of CTS coaching, camps and race support.

“There’s a hunger out there for big challenges,” commented Carmichael. “The demand is there as well. We filled the 2011 Amgen Tour of California Race Experience to capacity in two days, just by reaching out to individual athletes we already knew.”

For the Second Year, Amateur Cyclists Given the Opportunity to Tackle One of the Toughest Climbs in U.S. Cycling History

Los Angeles, CA – Fresh on the heels of announcing the 13 official Host Cities for the 2012 Amgen Tour of California, AEG, presenter of the race, has announced the return of the popular amateur ride L’Etape du California. Produced in partnership with Pacific Sports, a leading sports and event management company, the 2012 edition of L’Etape du California will take place on Saturday, April 28.

Held for the first time this past May in conjunction with America’s premier cycling race, L’Etape du California gives amateur cyclists an experience like none other, challenging participants to ride what is arguably the toughest stage ever seen in American cycling, Stage 7 of the Amgen Tour of California. Earlier this year, Stage 7 played host to the world’s best cyclists and produced an amazing race as riders Andy Schleck, Chris Horner and Levi Leipheimer battled it out to the top.

Featuring an unrelenting, intense climb to the top of Mt. Baldy, a route legendary in California cycling lore, Stage 7 of the 2012 Amgen Tour of California will start in Ontario, a new city to the race, on Saturday, May 19. Specific details of Stage 7 will be announced early next year, along with details of the entire race route. The 2012 Amgen Tour of California will take place over eight days from May 13 – 20.

“Last year’s L’Etape du California was received with so much enthusiasm, we knew we had to do it again in 2012,” said Kristin Bachochin, executive director of the Amgen Tour of California. “We have such passionate cycling fans in America, and here in California in particular, so it only makes sense to host this event in conjunction with our race. We were thrilled to see so many people tackle the Mt. Baldy climb this past May, and we look forward to an even more spectacular event next year.”

Drawing riders from around the country, the 2011 L’Etape du California was won by Californian Jonathan Hornbeck. Hornbeck battled through close to 10,000 vertical feet of climbing and rode nearly 100 miles to take first place honors. He was followed by Nate Whitman and Sean Donovan, who finished second and third, respectively.

Like last year, the field for the 2012 L’Etape du California will be limited to 2,500 riders.

“We are excited to be bringing this once-in-a-lifetime experience to amateur cyclists and applaud AEG for continuing this cycling tradition,” said Jack Caress, President and CEO of Pacific Sports, producer of L'Etape du California. “Stage 7 of the 2011 Amgen Tour of California was one of the most talked about stages, and it was watched by people from around the world, so we know interest for this year’s L’Etape du California will be even greater. We’re looking forward to a fantastic race.”

For more information, please visit L'Etape du California website. For further information on the 2012 Amgen Tour of California, and to view the 2012 Amgen Tour of California Host Cities video, visit the Amgen Tour of California website.

American cyclist Chris Horner wins 2011 Amgen Tour of California, Matthew Goss Races to the Finish to Capture Stage 8 Win and Team Garmin-Cervelo Takes Overall Team Competition for Second Consecutive Year

Thousand Oaks, CA – Chris Horner (USA) of Team RadioShack crossed the finish line of the last stage of the 2011 Amgen Tour of California in Westlake Village with an overall time of 23 hours, 46 minutes and 41 seconds, capturing the Amgen Race Leader Jersey and solidifying his place at the top of the podium, while Matthew Goss (AUS) of HTC-Highroad won the final stage. Horner’s teammate Levi Leipheimer (USA), a three-time winner of America’s biggest race, finished second overall only 38 seconds back, while Thomas Danielson (USA) of Team Garmin-Cervelo, finished two minutes and 12 seconds behind to claim third place.

“It feels fantastic to be the winner of the Amgen Tour of California,” said Horner, who at 39 marks the oldest winner in the six year history of the event. “I have competed in this race since its inception and I have helped Levi (Leipheimer) win it many times. As soon as they added the summit finishes, I made it one of my personal goals to finish high in the race. Team RadioShack came in with a great squad this year. We had some great help, and the crowds throughout the race have just been amazing.”

The 2011 Amgen Tour of California officially kicked off in Nevada City, California, on Monday, May 16, after less-than-favorable weather conditions in Lake Tahoe forced the cancellation of Stage 1 and necessitated a change in start location of Stage 2, with rider safety in mind.

Considered the most difficult route in the race’s six-year history, the 18 professional cycling teams competing rode through the state of California, experiencing everything from beautiful rolling hills to snaking winding roads to brutally steep climbs. In the end, four riders were awarded top honors in special categories, including Peter Sagan (SVK) of Liquigas-Cannondale who won the Herbalife Sprint Points Jersey; Jonathan Patrick McCarty (USA) of Team Spidertech Powered by C10 who captured the California Travel & Tourism King of the Mountains (KOM) Jersey every stage of the race; and Tejay Van Garderen (USA) of HTC-Highroad, who secured the Rabobank Best Young Rider Jersey, awarded to the top rider age 24 or under.

“The Amgen Tour of California is unprecedented in its growth and popularity,” said Leipheimer. “More people were at the start today than attended the entire Vuelta a Espana (Tour of Spain, one of racing’s three Grand Tours). The race keeps getting bigger and better and I think yesterday’s stage proved that. It was as big and epic as the other Grand Tours, similar to what you would see at the Tour de France or Giros (d’Italia). Having stages like Sierra Road and Mt. Baldy will continue to improve the race, and I am proud to be able to say that I am the first winner of the Mt. Baldy climb.”

Added Bob Stapleton, general manager and owner of the American-based HTC-Highroad, “American cycling is on the rise. Look at both the young and old cyclists who have done well in this race. This is America’s biggest race, and Americans are doing well in races all over the world.” The top five finishers of the 2011 race were Americans, a first for the event.

Starting in the city of Santa Clarita, the neutral start quickly gave way to multiple attacks, none of which stuck. Riding along at a brisk pace of 32 mph, four riders went out on the attack, including Jan Barta (CZE) of Team NetApp, Bradley White (USA) of UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling, Jose Fernando Antogna (ARG) of Jamis-Sutter Home and Michael Friedman (USA) of Kelly Benefit Strategies-OptumHealth. With 1 kilometer away from the first KOM of the day, and the last of the race, the breakaway had a three minute and 40 second lead over the group. Barta took the final KOM points, and Antogna took the first intermediate sprint points.

Along with Team RadioShack, who continued to set tempo for the peloton, HTC-Highroad, Liquigas-Cannondale and Saxo Bank Sungard all contributed riders to the front as the group rolled towards the suburban streets of Thousand Oaks. With five laps to go, the break crossed the finish line for the first time with a lead of two minutes and 35 seconds in front of the peloton. Leopard Trek and Rabobank Cycling Team sent riders on the attack, trailing the break by 39 seconds.

With Liquigas-Cannondale pacing the peloton, Martin Mortensen (DEN) of Leopard Trek and Maarten Tjallingii (NED) of Rabobank Cycling Team joined Barta in the breakaway, as White, Fernando and Friedman dropped. With 13.5 kilometers to go, the group held on to a 25-second lead, but was eventually caught with five kilometers to go. HTC-Highroad, Sky Procycling and Saxo Bank Sungard raced to the front and were soon joined by Liquigas-Cannondale and Rabobank. With the sprinters strung out across the front, it was Matthew Goss (AUS) of HTC-Highroad who accelerated to cross the finish line first. Barta earned the Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer® Most Courageous Rider Jersey for his passionate riding throughout the stage.

“We took another step forward this year,” said Andrew Messick, president of AEG Sports, presenter of the race. “We have been working hard to create what we think is a great race; we have aspirations to make the Amgen Tour of California one of the greatest cycling races in the world. American cycling fans deserve it, riders deserve it and America deserves it. We want it to be known that not every great cycling race exists in Western Europe.”

And while everyone celebrated the race finale today, organizers announced they had already been looking ahead.

“The future starts 51 weeks from now in Santa Rosa,” continued Messick, “where we will start the 2012 race. Santa Rosa has been an exceptional home to the race and we look forward to bringing it back there next year.”

Additionally, today, Thousand Oaks cancer survivor Reine Wiley was honored and celebrated today at the final Breakaway Mile, a special one-mile walk that crosses the finish line to honor the millions of cancer survivors worldwide. Wiley’s diagnosis was revealed shortly before the 2010 Amgen Tour of California. She has demonstrated a strong will to fight and commitment to continue to cycle, even while she’s undergoing treatment.

During the Breakaway Mile, Wiley was joined by approximately 150 community members – cancer survivors, patients, caregivers, and advocates – and Joe Miletich, Amgen’s senior vice president of Research & Development, who plays a crucial role in developing innovative medicines to treat cancer and other serious illnesses.

“The 17,000 staff members at Amgen come to work every day motivated by the chance to make a dramatic difference in the lives of people suffering from cancer and other life threatening illnesses,” said Stuart Arbuckle, vice president and general manager, Amgen Oncology. “As a company dedicated to tapping the power of pioneering science to fight serious illness, Amgen is passionate about helping people who are battling cancer, and Breakaway from Cancer is one of the ways that Amgen is fighting cancer. Amgen is proud to sponsor the Amgen Tour of California and the opportunity to help increase awareness of the important resources available to people affected by cancer.”

Final Quotebook

Chris Horner (Team RadioShack), Amgen Race Leader Jersey Winner
On riding in Southern California
“It was very, very nostalgic riding through these roads. The whole So. Cal. area has been my stomping ground. I had a huge grin from ear to ear the whole time out there today.”

Levi Leipheimer (Team RadioShack), Second Place Overall
On taking the race to the next level
“It is pretty big right now. I put my full trust in Medalist and AEG. The race kicked off in its first year as one of the biggest races and it gets bigger and better every year.”

Tom Danielson (Team Garmin-Cervelo), Third Place Overall
On taking third place overall in the 2011 Amgen Tour of California
“It was an honor standing on the podium with Chris (Horner) and Levi (Leipheimer) today. I have learned a lot from both of these guys and I wouldn’t be the cyclist that I am today without these guys. It was great to be able to celebrate with them.”

On the weather
“I just want to clarify that the weather we had throughout the Amgen Tour of California is not bad weather. The weather that we race in in Europe on a good day is similar to the bad weather that we had here, so it’s all relative.”

Matthew Goss (HTC-Highroad), First Place, Stage 8
On Stage 8 of the 2011 Amgen Tour of California
“I didn’t look at the average speed. It was a fast and furious stage. The shorter stages tend to be faster and the guys I was riding with today were perfect. It was important to do well because this is a home race for the team and it caps of a highly successful week. We couldn’t ask for anything better than to finish with a stage win and the Rabobank Best Young Rider Jersey.”

Andrew Messick, President of AEG Sports
On the 2011 route
“We worked hard and took some chances this year. The finishes on Sierra Rd. and Mt. Baldy worked out well, and the International Women’s Time Trial worked out well; Tahoe, not so much. We are not playing it safe. We are trying to continue to provide to some of the best athletes in the world and we are getting better.”

On the weather
“We were unlucky with weather last Sunday (what was to be the official start of the race), but the rest of the week was fantastic. In reality, one day of bad weather in a stage race isn't that untypical. We like our position on the calendar. We all warmed up.”

Jim Birrell, Race Director, Amgen Tour of California
On the race overall
“It has been a great eight days. We saw things and did things that we have never done before. Our focus throughout the course of the race was always rider safety.”

On canceling Stage 1 of the race
“We were faced with a challenge and were forced to make a decision that none of us were happy to make.”

On the 2011 route
“Having the opportunity to take the race to two summit finishes was amazing. We created a little village and saw some unbelievable dynamics on the top of Sierra Rd. and Mt. Baldy. The fans up there were unbelievable. Yesterday was such an epic course. It resonated so deep and well with the type of athletes we have. It unveiled some unbelievable strength. It was incredible. Today’s finish is one of the biggest in our history.”

Results - Stage 8
1. Matthew Goss (AUS), HTC-Highroad (USA)
2. Peter Sagan (SVK), Liquigas-Cannondale (ITA)
3. Greg Henderson (NZL), Sky Procycling (GBR)

General Classification - Final
General Classification After Stage 7
1. Chris Horner (Team RadioShack)
2. Levi Leipheimer (Team RadioShack)
3. Tom Danielson (Garmin-Cervelo)
4. Christian Vande Velde (Garmin-Cervelo)
5. Tejay Van Garderen (HTC-Highroad)
6. Laurens Ten Dam (Rabobank)
7. Rory Sutherland (UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling)
8. Andy Schleck (Leopard Trek)
9. Steve Morabito (BMC Racing)
10. Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Cervelo)

Jersey Winners - Final
Amgen Race Leader Jersey – Chris Horner (USA), Team RadioShack
California Travel & Tourism King of the Mountains Jersey – Jonathan Patrick McCarty (USA), Team Spidertech Powered by C10
Herbalife Sprint Jersey – Peter Sagan (SVK), Liquigas-Cannondale
Rabobank Best Young Rider Jersey – Tejay Van Garderen (USA), HTC-Highroad
Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer® Most Courageous Rider Jersey – Jan Barta (CZE), Team NetApp

Galleries: 2011 Amgen Tour of California | Bikes, Personalities, and Scenes

Photo: Leonard Basobas/LB Photos

Stage 8 - Santa Clarita to Thousand Oaks (129.1km)

The final day of a stage race is often anticlimactic, as many of the contests for the various classifications have already been determined well before the peloton crosses the final finish line. But with an American sweep of the podium and victories in the Team and Best Young Rider competitions, the celebration in Thousand Oaks should be boundless.

Stage 8 Route (from the Amgen Tour of California website):
The Amgen Tour of California returns to one of its favorite host cities for the start of the final stage of the 2011 race. Santa Clarita is one of the up and coming cities in all of California. They boast miles of bike paths and are the home to many large events throughout the year. Leaving Santa Clarita, the race will head out on a flat 13 mile stretch of Hwy 126. A left turn near Piru will work the riders towards the coast and to the base of the final KOM of the race: Balcolm Canyon. This is a wicked climb that is relatively short but painfully steep. Most of the locals find a different way to get their bikes and cars to Thousand Oaks. No one wants to climb Balcolm. The riders can expect a solid mass of fans that will part as the riders approach. Cresting the summit, the race will head through Moorpark and up the final climb on the Norwegian Grade. Now the route heads downhill and enters the four-mile circuit as passes the finish line in Thousand Oaks and begins the first of five flat and fast circuits.

Epic Stage Delivers Most Challenging Route in Race History

Mt. Baldy, CA – Amid breathtaking vistas and challenging roads with continuous switchbacks leading to the top of Mt. Baldy (elevation 7,930 ft.), RadioShack teammates Levi Leipheimer (USA), three-time Amgen Tour of California champion, and Chris Horner (USA) crossed the Stage 7 finish line in first and second place respectively, thrilling fans with a picture-perfect victory. The second-place finish today will keep Horner in the Amgen Race Leader Jersey heading into the final stage of the race tomorrow. Leipheimer remains in second place overall and Tom Danielson (USA) of Team Garmin-Cervelo moves up to third.

“Our team was perfect today,” said Leipheimer. “You don’t get to experience that much in professional cycling. To experience a day where everyone clicks was incredible. There wasn’t a lot of talking between us today because we knew exactly what each person on the team was doing; we didn’t need a lot of communication today. The team had a solid performance and everyone did their jobs; it was just a really special and amazing day. The work they did really allowed me to win. There was never a threat, so I was able to ride for a stage win with Chris on my wheel. I really have to thank the boys for that.”

Cheered on by the crowds of fans, many of whom braved the same route as the professional riders to get to the finish line, the cyclists dug deep and left it all out on the road for what is sure to be remembered as one of the most epic stages in the history of the race. An unforgiving route, after a neutral start in the town of Claremont, riders immediately began the ascent to Mt. Baldy, ultimately climbing more than 15,000 ft. over the 75.8-mile course.

“We hit the final part of Mt. Baldy with Dmitry (Muravyev) out in front, and he had done a lot the last seven to eight miles,” said Horner. “He got us all the way through at the bottom of the hill and then we started the climb. Then, the young Matt Busche took over and he was very, very impressive. I cannot stress how impressive he was today. He is a year and a half pro and while his experience is very limited, his riding ability is really high. When we were down to maybe five riders in the field, Levi (Leipheimer) went up there and told him to punch it and he punched it one last time. From there it was hopping on the Levi train and riding it all the way to the line.”

After an aggressive attack that was quickly reeled back, a 16-man group gained a small lead only 6.5 kilometers into the route. That group was quickly whittled down to only nine, comprised of Andrew Talansky (USA) of Team Garmin-Cervelo; Christopher Froome (GBR) of Sky Procycling; George Hincapie (USA) of BMC Racing Team; Francesco Bellotti (ITA) of Liquigas-Cannondale; Grischa Niermann (GER) of Rabobank Cycling Team; Alexander Efimkin (RUS) of Team Type 1-sanofi; Jonathan Patrick McCarty (USA) of Team Spidertech Powered By C10; Rob Britton (CAN) of Bissell Pro Cycling; and Ryder Hesjedal (CAN) of Team Garmin-Cervelo. With the first KOM of the day only five kilometers away, the group had a 30-second lead on the peloton.

With Team Garmin-Cervelo setting the pace in the break up the climb, the lead increased to two minutes after 22.5 kilometers of racing, and a gruppetto was formed approximately two minutes behind the field. Shortly after Froome dropped from the break, the race split into four groups on the road – an eight-man break, the first group of chasers led by Team RadioShack and then two more groups after that. The gruppetto was positioned approximately seven miles behind the break.

After the first Sprint competition, in which Bellotti took first, the break began climbing again with Hesjedal setting the tempo up front and Team RadioShack setting the pace in the main field. Leopard Trek soon joined the chase efforts and the peloton began to stretch, eventually leaving 50-60 riders in the field. As the field crossed the second KOM, McCarty once again took maximum points.

With the gruppetto 17 minutes and 30 seconds off the pace, and 40 riders left in the left in the main field, U.S. Champion Ben King (USA) continued to work hard for teammates Horner and Leipheimer. With the break’s lead down to 45 seconds, Talansky continued to set the pace of the seven-man group at the front as they approached the finish at the top of Mt. Baldy. In addition to Talansky, the break consisted of George Hincapie (USA) of BMC Racing Team, Hesjedal, Bellotti, Niermann, Efimkin and Britton. Nearing the start of the Mt. Baldy climb, Matt Busche (USA) began to set a hard tempo for teammates Horner and Leipheimer, who were second and third in line in the chase group.

Heading uphill, the break split completely apart, leaving only Efimkin in the lead with five kilometers of racing ahead. Soon a group of five, including Horner, Busche, Leipheimer, Laurens Ten Dam (NED) of Rabobank Cycling Team and Andy Schleck (LUX) of Leopard Trek, began closing in. Efimkin was caught with 2.9 kilometers to go.

With two kilometers to go, Horner and Leipheimer took the lead, both out of the saddle, using every ounce of energy to continue the uphill climb. Gaining speed as they neared the finish line, Leipheimer crossed first, reaching his hands in the air and high-fiving teammate Horner as they finished one of the most brutal stages in the history of the Amgen Tour of California.

After some courageous racing today, Horner remains in first place overall, followed by Leipheimer in second and Danielson in third.

“I really tried to ride my own tempo,” said Danielson. “When those guys went (Leipheimer and Horner), I knew other riders might blow up because of the altitude.”

Efimkin (RUS) of Team Type 1-sanofi was awarded the Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer® Most Courageous Rider Jersey for his relentless riding in the breakaway throughout the day. All of the other race jerseys remained unchanged with Horner in the Amgen Race Leader Jersey; Peter Sagan (SVK) of Liquigas-Cannondale in the Herbalife Sprint Jersey; McCarty (USA) in the California Travel & Tourism King of the Mountains (KOM) Jersey; and Tejay Van Garderen (USA) of Rabobank Cycling Team in the Rabobank Best Young Rider Jersey.

“Amgen is proud to be part of this amazingly successful race, which is helping advance the popularity of cycling in America while also helping increase awareness of the resources that are available to those affected by cancer,” said Stuart Arbuckle, vice president and general manager, Amgen Oncology. “The Breakaway from Cancer nonprofit partners collectively offer people affected by cancer a broad range of support services complementing those provided by a patient’s team of healthcare professionals.”

Founded by Amgen in 2005 as a complementary component to its title sponsorship of the Amgen Tour of California, Breakaway from Cancer continues to raise awareness of the important resources available to people impacted by cancer – from prevention to survivorship.

As part of the today’s race activities, Claremont resident and cancer survivor Edgar Reece fired the official start gun.

Quotebook

Levi Leipheimer (Team RadioShack), First Place, Stage 7
On today’s win
“Our team was perfect today. You don’t get to experience that much in professional cycling. To experience a day where everyone clicks was incredible. There wasn’t a lot of talking between us today because we knew exactly what each person on the team was doing; we didn’t need a lot of communication.”

On his team
“Matthew Busche has a lot of talent and he doesn’t even know it yet. All of the guys really did amazing today. The team had a solid performance and everyone did their jobs. I can’t say enough about Team RadioShack today; it was just a really special and amazing day. The work they did really allowed me to win. I never had to really step in and defend Chris’ (Horner) jersey because there just wasn’t any challenge to it. There was never a threat, so I was able to ride for a stage win with Chris (Horner) on my wheel. I really have to thank the boys for that.”

On preparing for today’s climb
“I came here in the beginning of April last year to preview Big Bear for the 2010 race and to get in some good training and good weather at a higher altitude. I was speaking with Jim Birrell and Andrew Messick and they told me they were thinking about Mt. Baldy, which I wasn’t familiar with. They said it would be great if I could go down there one day and check it out, so I came here couldn’t believe I was still in Los Angeles! I had no idea a climb like this existed here. I told them they had to put Mt. Baldy in the race because it would be amazing. It would be like having a Tour de France stage right here in the Amgen Tour of California, right next to one of the largest cities in the U.S. Let me just say that today was perfect. The weather, the fans, the course. I think they should do this stage every year.”

On Horner’s performance
“Chris (Horner) has really come into his own the past couple of years. You are seeing the results of his changes and I am not surprised at all. I have had some health issues this year and the team wasn’t very confident in me coming into the race; they needed somebody and it turned out to be Chris. I am happy because I showed today that I could have won, but my teammate was better and there is no denying that.”

On today’s conditions
“It was a really fantastic day today. The weather, the scenery, the setting, the fans, everythign was incredible. The last six kilometers of the course were some of the toughest in the world with the altitude and rough roads. It was pretty difficult and required a lot of fitness.”

Chris Horner (Team RadioShack), Second Place, Stage 7 and Amgen Race Leader Jersey Winner
On the final climb to the finish
“We hit the final part of Mt. Baldy with Dmitry (Muravyev) out in front, and he had done a lot the last seven to eight miles. He got us all the way through at the bottom of the hill and then we started the climb. Then, the young Matt Busche took over and he was very, very impressive. I cannot stress how impressive he was today. He is a year and a half pro and while his experience is very limited, his riding ability is really high. When we were down to maybe five riders in the field, Levi (Leipheimer) went up there and told him to punch it and he punched it one last time. From there it was hopping on the Levi train and riding it all the way to the line.”

On leading in the 2011 Amgen Tour of California
“It has been a fantastic week for Team RadioShack, and it was a fantastic day today. Pending anything catastrophic happening tomorrow, I don’t see much chance of losing the leader jersey. We are going to have a very good time Sunday night here in Los Angeles.”

Results - Stage 7
1. Levi Leipheimer (USA), Team RadioShack (USA)
2. Chris Horner (USA), Team RadioShack (USA)
3. Laurens Ten Dam (NED), Rabobank Cycling Team (NED)

General Classification After Stage 7
1. Chris Horner (Team RadioShack)
2. Levi Leipheimer (Team RadioShack)
3. Tom Danielson (Garmin-Cervelo)
4. Christian Vande Velde (Garmin-Cervelo)
5. Tejay Van Garderen (HTC-Highroad)
6. Laurens Ten Dam (Rabobank)
7. Rory Sutherland (UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling)
8. Andy Schleck (Leopard Trek)
9. Steve Morabito (BMC Racing)
10. Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Cervelo)

Jersey Leaders After Stage 7
Amgen Leader Jersey – Chris Horner (USA), Team RadioShack (USA)
California Travel & Tourism King of the Mountains Jersey – Jonathan Patrick McCarty (USA), Team Spidertech Powered by C10 (CAN)
Herbalife Sprint Jersey – Peter Sagan (SVK), Liquigas-Cannondale (ITA)
Rabobank Best Young Rider Jersey – Tejay Van Garderen (USA), HTC-Highroad (USA)
Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer® Most Courageous Rider Jersey – Alexander Efimkin (RUS), Team Type 1-sanofi (USA)

Galleries: 2011 Amgen Tour of California | Bikes, Personalities, and Scenes

Photo: Leonard Basobas/LB Photos

Stage 7 - Claremont to Mt. Baldy (121.9km)

The penultimate day of the 2011 Amgen Tour of California will feature the ultimate proving ground for those still in search of a stage win and for those with any hope of finishing on the final podium in Thousand Oaks.

Stage 7 Route (from the Amgen Tour of California website):
"If the Stage 6 individual time trial created some separation between the contenders and the chasers, Stage 7 will be the ultimate test of the rider’s resolve to capture the yellow jersey. Did they leave it all on the road in Solvang or did they hold back enough to survive one of the most difficult stages in the history of bicycle racing in the USA? It’s been called the Queen’s Stage and the first true mountain top finish in the Amgen Tour of California’s history. It has been compared to the epic stages of the European Grand Tours. This is the training ground for many of the local racers in southern California, but only a handful has done the entre route and none have done it after six days of racing over 700 miles! There is no question that the winner of the 2011 Amgen Tour of California will be decided on the final 15 switchbacks to the finish on Mt Baldy.

The race begins in the college town of Claremont. The Claremont Colleges are universally regarded as one of the best college consortiums in the world. Two neutral circuits in Claremont will get the rider’s ready for the first climb of the day. Just 3.5 miles from the start, the riders will face an eight mile climb to the Village of Baldy and their first KOM. An acute left turn at the summit will provide them another mile of climbing up Glendora Ridge Road. From here they have 12 miles of narrow and twisting roads that gradually descend to a fast and technical descent down the backside of Glendora Mountain Rd. The vistas are spectacular throughout the Angeles National Forest. Another descent down East Fork will take the riders to Hwy 39 and the town of Azusa. Heading east, the race dips into the City of Glendora for the only Sprint of the day. At this point, the number of flat miles for Stage 7 has dwindled to less than two and there are still nearly 30 miles to the finish.

A left turn onto Glendora Mountain Road and it is “Game On”. The next KOM is a nine mile climb. That is followed by 12 miles of a slight climb back to Baldy Village. A left turn back onto Baldy Road will see the race gain 1,000’ in just three miles…and the real climbing has not even started! At Ice House Canyon, the route makes a hard left turn and the sign to the ski area points towards the sky. Over the next 2.5 miles, the riders will face 10 switchbacks on a road that is so steep that many of the race vehicles cannot make it to the top. At 1.2 miles to go, the road straightens out. The finish line can be seen ahead. At .25 miles to go, the route makes a hard left and the racers face a final five switchbacks to the finish line. This will be the stage where legends are made and winners are decided."

The picturesque Danish town of Solvang, California played host to the 2011 Amgen Tour of California Women's International Time Trial Challenge, which was held in conjunction with Stage 6 of the men's race.

Connie Carpenter-Phinney, the Olympic Gold medalist in the 1984 road race, provided commentary for the event and set the stage by expecting some of the women to beat the time of some of the men, or "getting chicked." And the 13-strong field, comprised of national champions, world champions and Olympic medalists, certainly did not disappoint.

One of the riders out of the gate battling for a $10,000 prize pool was Solvang native, Alison Tetrick Starnes (Peanut Butter & Co.TWENTY12, pictured below). She would cover the difficult 15-mile course in a time of 36'11"07 to finish in 9th.

HTC-Highroad, which had five riders in the field, would set the early pace as US National Time Trial Champion, Evelyn Stevens, crossed the line in 35'08"08, only to be bested by teammate Amber Neben moments later with a time of 34'42"38. As Germany's Charlotte Becker completed the course in a time of 35'07"34, it looked as if HTC-Highroad might sweep the day's podium.

But it was the last rider out of the gate, Kristin Armstrong (Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY12) would have the final say. On her Felt DA outfitted with SRAM Red and Zipp wheels, Armstrong set a consistent pace throughout the course, and came through the time check with the fastest split.

"People always ask me how my legs are feeling, I can’t say they felt good out there", said Armstrong afterward. "If they felt great I am in trouble. They didn’t feel great because I was hurting so bad.”

A block headwind made the final miles of the course brutal, but Armstrong crossed the finish line 13 seconds ahead of HTC-Highroad's Amber Neben.

"The course is great," commented Armstrong. "It was a race of truth. I told the media last night that the strongest rider would win today. It had technicality…it had wind…it had uphill…it had downhill. There wasn’t one thing that any one person had as a strength. It was mix out there. We are all strong on certain sections and other sections we suffer.”

Gallery: 2011 Amgen Tour of California Women's International Time Trial Challenge

Photo: Laurie Ostrow (top); Ed Rubinstein (middle, bottom)

While he was not able to defend his US National Time Trial Championship title this past fall, and therefore is no longer kitted out head-to-toe in the Stars & Stripes, you would be hard pressed to find anyone who does not consider Garmin-Cervelo's David Zabriskie "Captain America."

On Friday, the 32-year old Utah native displayed the form that earned him the US National Time Trial Championship five times prior in winning the 24km Stage 6 Individual Time Trial of the 2011 Amgen Tour of California.

Zabriskie would cross the finish line in the heart of Solvang with a time of 30:35:92 to lead a US sweep of the podium as Levi Leipheimer (Team RadioShack) and Tejay Van Garderen (HTC-Highroad), finished in second and third, respectively.

General Classification leader, Chris Horner (Team RadioShack) finished in a respectable sixth on the day to retain his race lead heading into tomorrow's epic stage up Mt. Baldy. The rest of the top ten would see a reshuffling with HTC-Highroad's Van Garderen being the biggest climber, moving from 10th to 6th place.

Results - Stage 6
1. David Zabriskie (Garmin-Cervelo)
2. Levi Leipheimer (Team RadioShack)
3. Tejay Van Garderen (HTC-Highroad)

General Classification After Stage 6
1. Chris Horner (Team RadioShack)
2. Levi Leipheimer (Team RadioShack)
3. Rory Sutherland (UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling)
4. Christian Vande Velde (Garmin-Cervelo)
5. Tom Danielson (Garmin-Cervelo)
6. Tejay Van Garderen (HTC-Highroad)
7. Linus Gerdemann (Leopard Trek)
8. Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Cervelo)
9. Laurens Ten Dam (Rabobank)
10. Andy Schleck (Leopard Trek)

Jersey Leaders After Stage 6
Amgen Leader Jersey – Chris Horner (USA), Team RadioShack (USA)
California Travel & Tourism King of the Mountains Jersey – Jonathan Patrick McCarty (USA), Team Spidertech Powered by C10 (CAN)
Herbalife Sprint Jersey – Peter Sagan (SVK), Liquigas-Cannondale (ITA)
Rabobank Best Young Rider Jersey – Tejay Van Garderen (USA), HTC-Highroad (USA)
Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer® Most Courageous Rider Jersey – Oscar Freire (ESP), Rabobank Cycling Team (NED)

Galleries: 2011 Amgen Tour of California | Bikes, Personalities, and Scenes

Photo: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Stage 6 - Solvang, 24km Individual Time Trial

Historically one of the decisive stages of the Amgen Tour of California, this year's Individual Time Trial will be no different. Two years ago, Levi Leipheimer (Team RadioShack) was able to sew up his third Amgen Tour of California championship in Solvang, can teammate Chris Horner secure his first on the same roads? How hard will the contenders for the overall go out with the climb up Mt. Baldy awaiting them the next day? Will there be a shake up in the General Classification?

The women will kick-off the day's events with the Women's International Time Trial Challenge. The undeniable favorite is Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY12's Kristin Armstrong, but she will be tested by the likes of US National Champion, Evelyn Stevens (HTC-Highroad) and Britain's Emma Pooley (Garmin-Cervelo).

The excitement is palpable and the riders' anxiety the same. It's truly on in Solvang!

Stage 6 Route (from the Amgen Tour of California website):
"After a hiatus in 2010, the individual time trial returns to Solvang. The quaint Danish village of hosts some of the Pro Tour teams annually for training camps, as well as some of the largest cycling events in the United States. With the start and finish lines located only one block apart, Stage 6 is an ideal location for spectators to view the race. The route will highlight the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley, winding through quaint towns, vineyards, farms, and one short, but steep climb up Ballard Canyon. This year's short, flat and fast time trial will create a challenging test for the riders and is expected to be a decisive day of the race. As in the past, the Solvang time trial will separate the true contenders for the yellow jersey from the rest of the field."

Photo: Leonard Basobas/LB Photos

Team RadioShack’s Chris Horner Retains the Lead After the Longest Stage of the Race

Paso Robles, CA – The surprise of the 2010 Amgen Tour of California, Peter Sagan (Liquigas-Cannondale) opened his account in the 2011 edition with a victory in Paso Robles.

With the sun shining and an enthusiastic crowd cheering, the 21-year-old Slovak outpaced Leigh Howard (AUS) of HTC-Highroad and Ben Swift (GBR) of Sky Procycling, who placed second and third, respectively, to clinch the Stage 5 win during the 2011 Amgen Tour of California in a time of five hours, 16 minutes and three seconds.

“I would like to thank my teammates because without their hard work, today’s win wouldn’t be possible, or at the very least, it would have been more difficult,” said Sagan. “I would also like to thank my sponsors because they feel this race is important as well.”

The longest stage of this year’s race, the 135.1-mile route was originally intended to travel along California’s iconic Highway 1, but had to be modified last month when landslides blocked the road after late winter storms. The new route tested the riders’ endurance and delivered a spectacular sprint to the finish in Paso Robles, Calif., after winding its way through one of the most beautiful stages in the history of the race.

Heading out of Seaside, the official start city for Stage 5, the peloton headed out in a neutral start to Laguna Seca through rolling, green hills and toward Fort Ord military base where the race officially started. Bissell Pro Cycling, who has been very aggressive in the race thus far, putting riders in every decisive break, went on the attack. But with the peloton together and moving at a brisk pace, they began the ascent of the first of four King of the Mountains competitions (KOM) of the day, a category 4 climb up Laureles Grade.

After a few failed breakaway attempts, a four-man break, comprised of three-time world champion Oscar Freire (ESP) of Rabobank Cycling Team, Christopher Froome (GBR) of Sky Procycling, Daniel Martin (IRE) of Team Garmin-Cervelo and Christopher Baldwin (USA) of Bissell Pro Cycling, formed and cleared the first KOM of the day with Freire in the lead. The first break was neutralized after the KOM but another eight riders went off the front and, 40 kilometers into the stage, had a lead of one minute and 40 seconds over the peloton as they approached the second KOM. Passing through, a group of 10 riders made it to the front, with Jonathan Patrick McCarty (USA) of Team Spidertech Powered by C10, who started the day in the California Travel & Tourism King of the Mountains Jersey, taking first in the competition.

After today’s third KOM, a category 4 climb on Carmel Valley Road, the breakaway had established a three minute and 50 second lead over the group, speeding along the course ahead of the fastest projected time schedule. Team RadioShack continued to set the tempo of the peloton, keeping the break in check.

In approach of the fourth KOM, the break began to split, and McCarty and Jesse Anthony (USA) of Kelly Benefit Strategies-OptumHealth, who were battling each other for overall KOM points, began their final dual of the day. In the end, it was McCarty who gained the maximum points for the coveted Herbalife Sprint Jersey.

With U.S. Road Champion Ben King (USA) of Team RadioShack driving the peloton, Freire and Stefan Denifl (AUT) of Leopard Trek worked well together to hold steady at two minutes and 25 seconds up on the peloton with 24.5 kilometers to go. Flying downhill, it became a mission for the sprinters’ teams to bring them back, but after Denifl suffered a flat, Freire was left to race toward the finish alone with 14 kilometers to go.

Stretching out single file, with Liquigas-Cannondale inflicting damage, King rejoined the front for Team RadioShack, and what was left of the break was shattered in between Freire and the peloton. With 9.9 kilometers to go, Freire's lead went from one minute, 20 seconds to one minute, 10 seconds, and with HTC-Highroad off the front, the peloton began to split on a false flat. Freire was caught with 2.4 kilometers to go, all but ending his hopes of a first place finish for the stage.

“The last part of the race was the biggest problem because Denifl got a flat,” said Freire. “With two riders it was easier to ride. On the last climb I really exploded and lost almost 40 seconds; if we were still riding together I would have had a better chance to arrive. I almost won, but the peloton was too strong in the last three kilometers.”

Under intense pressure, the field broke up and Sagan sped to the front to claim the stage victory, followed quickly by Howard and then Swift. After nearly six hours on the bikes, Stage 5 of the 2011 Amgen Tour of California came to a close with another all-out battle on the streets of Paso Robles.

At the end of Stage 5, Horner retains the Amgen Race Leader Jersey for the second day in a row. Building on his 2010 overall Herbalife Sprint Jersey title, Stage 5 winner Sagan claimed the green jersey for the third day in a row, and McCarty retained the California Travel & Tourism King of the Mountains (KOM) Jersey for the second day in a row. The Rabobank Best Young Rider Jersey was awarded to Tejay Van Garderen (USA) of HTC-Highroad and Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer® Most Courageous Rider Jersey went to Freire for his aggressive riding in the breakaway throughout the stage.

“The Amgen Tour of California is a great race,” said McCarty. “I did the first edition back in 2006 when Floyd (Landis) won. This is the biggest race in America and I am proud to be here and to be doing well. It is always nice to come back to America to race with so many fans.”

The top-three general classification leaders remain the same with Horner in first, Levi Leipheimer (USA) of Team RadioShack in second (one minute and 15 seconds behind) and Thomas Danielson (USA) of Team Garmin-Cervelo in third (one minute and 22 seconds behind).

“It was a big ride today and the breakaway group was a bit large,” said Horner. “It was a lot of work and Liquigas-Cannondale and Team RadioShack did great today. I don’t think anyone had a better ride than Peter (Sagan) and me. We both had a great team looking after us, especially with the crosswinds we faced today.”

Thunderstruck, Hushovd Abandons

Shortly after the start of Stage 5, Team Garmin-Cervelo's Thor Hushovd withdrew from the race citing an illness.

“I haven’t been feeling well since I arrived," stated Hushovd. "And today I just felt empty. I couldn’t continue. I’m very disappointed to leave the team and the race. I would have liked to finish because the last day was a goal for me. I wish the team luck. I’m proud of what we have done here so far.”

The Quotebook

Peter Sagan (Liquigas-Cannondale), First Place, Stage 5
On last season’s race schedule
“After the Amgen Tour of California last year, I needed more time to recover because I had such a hard schedule in the early spring. Last spring, I did more one-day races and took second place in Canada. I didn’t race as much last season due to the difficult early spring schedule.”

Oscar Freire (Rabobank Cycling Team), Amgen Breakaway from Cancer® Most Courageous Rider Jersey Winner
On riding in the break with Stefan Denifl
“The last part of the race was the biggest problem because Denifl got a flat. With two riders it was easier to ride. On the last climb I really exploded and lost almost 40 seconds; if we were still riding together I would have had a better chance to arrive. I almost won, but the peloton was too strong in the last three kilometers.”

Chris Horner (Team RadioShack), Amgen Race Leader Jersey Winner
On today’s race
“It was a big ride today and the breakaway group was a bit large. It was a lot of work and Liquigas-Cannondale and Team RadioShack did great today. I don’t think anyone had a better ride than Peter (Sagan) and me. We both had a great team looking after us, especially with the crosswinds we faced today.”

Jonathan Patrick McCarty (Team Spidertech Powered by C10), California Travel and Tourism KOM Jersey Winner
On racing the Amgen Tour of California
“The Amgen Tour of California is a great race. I did the first edition back in 2006 when Floyd (Landis) won. This is the biggest race in America and I am proud to be here and to be doing well. It is always nice to come back to America to race with so many fans.”

On winning the King of the Mountains Jersey
“We had a good spring in Europe and we were very successful. We used the race in Europe to prepare to come and race here. To win the mountain jersey is big for me and for the team. I will put everything into winning this jersey for the rest of the week.”

Chris Boardman, UnitedHealthcare, Team Director and 1994 World Time Trial Champion
On the Time Trial tomorrow
“I look forward to getting out on the bike tomorrow for the Time Trial. All time trialists should aim for constant effort rather than a constant speed. You have to know how you feel. Am I racing too hard? Is this sustainable? The answer should be maybe at all times.”

On the Amgen Tour of California
“I think the Amgen Tour of California is needed in the world of cycling and it fits the bill beautifully. You can’t have the Tour of the USA because it is too big and we would be on planes all of the time. People enjoy coming here and the roads are great to ride.”

Brent Bookwalter (BMC Racing Team)
On crashing afternoon
"I was right with George (Hincapie), about 30th wheel, and there was a little bit of crosswind. They sped up a little bit in the front and it was like everyone from 20th to 30th wheel just sat up. So then everyone was trying to get across the gaps, but there were guys all over the road going backwards. A guy reached back to hand sling his teammate and when he reached back, he smashed into me and put his wheel into my wheel and I went down hard on my left side.”

"Jeff Louder gave me his bike and I made it up to the second group, but only Andrew Talansky (Team Garmin-Cervelo) and I had any interest in going more than 20 miles an hour. So we couldn't close it."

Results - Stage 5
1. Peter Sagan (SVK), Liquigas-Cannondale (ITA)
2. Leigh Howard (AUS), HTC Highroad (USA)
3. Ben Swift (GBR), Sky Procycling (GBR)

General Classification After Stage 5
1. Chris Horner (Team RadioShack)
2. Levi Leipheimer (Team RadioShack)
3. Tom Danielson (Garmin-Cervelo)
4. Christian Vande Velde (Garmin-Cervelo)
5. Rory Sutherland (UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling)
6. Andy Schleck (Leopard Trek)
7. Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Cervelo)
8. Linus Gerdemann (Leopard Trek)
9. Laurens Ten Dam (Rabobank)
10. Tejay Van Garderen (HTC-Highroad)

Jersey Leaders After Stage 5
Amgen Leader Jersey – Chris Horner (USA), Team RadioShack (USA)
California Travel & Tourism King of the Mountains Jersey – Jonathan Patrick McCarty (USA), Team Spidertech Powered by C10 (CAN)
Herbalife Sprint Jersey – Peter Sagan (SVK), Liquigas-Cannondale (ITA)
Rabobank Best Young Rider Jersey – Tejay Van Garderen (USA), HTC-Highroad (USA)
Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer® Most Courageous Rider Jersey – Oscar Friere (ESP), Rabobank Cycling Team (NED)

Galleries: 2011 Amgen Tour of California | Bikes, Personalities, and Scenes

Photos: Leonard Basobas/LB Photos