zmanzzzz Posted February 17, 2008 Share Posted February 17, 2008 LOS ANGELES (July 25, 2007) – The 2008 Amgen Tour of California professional cycling road race will take place February 17-24, 2008, as confirmed today by AEG, presenters of the record-setting ‘Tour de France-style’ cycling road race staged across many of California’s most scenic state highways, roadways and coastline drives. Already considered cycling’s most important and successful road race held in the United States, the event’s third running will cover more than 700 miles (increased from 650 miles in 2007) over the eight days. link CYCLING GLOSSARY Abandon – When a rider quits during a race Attack – A sudden acceleration to move ahead of another rider or group of riders Big Ringing It –A “big” gear – when the rider has his chain on the larger of the two front chainrings – allows a rider to go for maximum speeds. This gearing is most often used on flat or rolling terrain. Bonk – Total exhaustion caused by lack of sufficient food during a long race or ride Bonus Sprints – On each stage, race organizers designate several locations along the route where bonus points are given to the first three riders that cross the line. These sprints create a “race within a race” during each stage Break/Breakaway – A rider or group of riders that has left the main group behind Caravan/Race Caravan – The official and team support vehicles in a race. Each team has a car in the official race caravan. The team cars follow the peloton and riders will often go back to their team car for food, extra clothing, or to speak to their team director Circuit Race – A one-day race that does multiple laps around a long, circuitous route Point to Point Road Race – A one-day race in which the route travels between two separate points. The most prestigious of these races are known as “Classics” Criterium – A multi-lap, one-day race on a closed, short course, typically one mile or less DNF – Short for “Did Not Finish” Domestique – A team rider who will sacrifice his individual performance to help a designated teammate. Duties can include giving up one's bike for another rider, supplying refreshments to teammates, and catching breakaway riders. French for “servant” Draft – To ride closely behind another racer, saving energy by using that racer as a wind break. Riding in front is very strenuous but affords a great energy-saving advantage to the rider behind Drop/Dropped – When a rider has been left behind by another rider or group of riders Echelon – A staggered, long line of riders, each downwind of the rider ahead, allowing them to move considerably faster than a solo rider or small group of riders. In windy sections where there are crosswinds, a large peloton will form into echelons Feed Zone – A designated area along the route where riders can grab “musette bags” filled with food and drinks as they ride by. There is an unwritten rule in the peloton that riders should not attack the field while the riders are going through the feed zone Field Sprint – A mass sprint at the finish among the main group of riders in a road race Gap – The amount of time or distance between a rider or group of riders and another rider or group of riders General Classification (G.C.) – The overall leader board in the race, representing each rider’s total cumulative time in the race. The rider with the lowest time is number one on the G.C. Grand Tour – Refers to three-week major cycling stage races: Tour de France, Giro d'Italia (Tour of Italy) and Vuelta a Espana (Tour of Spain) Gruppetto – A group of riders that forms at the back of the field on mountain stages and ride at a pace that allows them to finish just inside the time limit (see Time Cut). Usually the gruppetto is comprised of sprinters and other riders who are not climbing specialists or race leaders. Gruppetto is Italian for “a small group” Hammer – To ride hard. Also, to “put the hammer down” Jump – A quick acceleration, which usually develops into a sprint KOM – King of the Mountain. Award for the Best Climber Lead Out – To intentionally sacrifice one's chances of winning in order break the wind and creating an opening for a rider behind. This is a racing tactic whereby one rider races at high speed to give a head start to the rider on his/her wheel. This tactic is most often used in a field sprint Mechanical – Slang for a problem with the bicycle. “He had a mechanical.” Mountain Climb Classifications – Large mountain climbs are normally classified according to their difficulty. Category 4 is the easiest, followed by Categories 3, 2, 1, and the Hors-Categorie (which is the hardest). Mountain climbs are classified according to their length and the average gradient of the road’s incline Off the Back – When a rider or riders cannot keep pace with the main group and lag behind Off the Front – When a rider takes part in a breakaway Paceline – A string of riders that moves at high speed with each individual taking turns setting the pace and riding in the draft of the others. See also Train Peloton – The main field, or pack, of riders in the race. French for “a group moving forward” Prologue – One type of beginning for a stage race, which is a relatively short time trial Popped – Blown; Had it; Knackered; Stuffed; Words used to describe the legs losing all power. Puncture – Flat tire Road Rash – Skin abrasions resulting from a fall or crash onto the road Saddle – The bike seat Sitting up – When the rider is no longer riding in the most aerodynamic fashion Slipstream – The area of least wind resistance behind a rider Stage Race – A bike race held over successive days, with a different course each day. Stage races can last anywhere from three to 21 days. The rider with the lowest total time (or accumulated points) after completion of all the stages wins the overall race Team Leader – The rider for whom the team supports in order for the leader to win a stage or race Time Cut – Mostly applicable to the Grand Tours. On each stage all riders must finish within a certain percentage of the winner’s time to remain in the race. Those who are unable to make the cut are disqualified from the race Time Trial – A race in which riders start individually and race against the clock. The fastest over a set distance is the winner. Riders can pass each other on the course but they are not allowed to draft off of each other. Also known as the “race of truth” Train – A fast moving paceline of riders UCI – Union Cycliste Internationale, the international governing body of cycling Wheel Sucker/Wheelsucking – Someone who sticks to a rear wheel ahead and refuses to go to the front of the pack USA Cycling – America's governing body of cycling. USA Cycling supervises the activities of all cycling disciplines (road, mountain, track, cyclo-cross), and establishes criteria for the U.S. Olympic Cycling Team Velo – French for “bicycle” Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtomicCEO Posted February 17, 2008 Share Posted February 17, 2008 I used to think it was just a joke, but I'm actually starting to believe that you really have no concept of what might be interesting to other people, and what isn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zmanzzzz Posted February 18, 2008 Author Share Posted February 18, 2008 whatever, my buddy used to train with levi. Overall: Tour of California 2007 Final Overall - Full Results Overall 1. Levi Leipheimer (USA), Discovery Channel, 24:57:24 2. Jens Voigt (G), CSC, at 0:21 3. Jason McCartney (USA), Discovery Channel, at 0:54 4. Bobby Julich (USA), CSC, at 1:06 5. Stuart O'Grady (Aus), CSC, at 1:16 6. Christian Vandevelde (USA), CSC, at 1:24 7. Michael Rogers (Aus), T-Mobile, at 1:32 8. Ben Day (Aus), Navigators Insurance, at 1:38 9. Franco Pellizotti (I), Liquigas-Bianchi, at 1:41 10. Ryder Hesjedal (Can), Health Net Maxxis, at 1:57 11. Christopher Horner (USA), Predictor-Lotto, at 2:09 12. Kim Kirchen (Lux), T-Mobile, at 2:16 13. Rory Sutherland (Aus), Health Net Maxxis, s.t. 14. Jakob Piil (Dk), T-Mobile, at 2:19 15. Dimitri Fofonov (Kaz), Credit Agricole, at 2:21 he is leading a new team this year, let's see how he does. Astana (Lux) Levi Leipheimer (USA) Janez Brajkovic (Slo) Vladimir Gusev (Rus) Christopher Horner (USA) Serguei Ivanov (Rus) Aaron Kemps (Aus) Andrey Mizurov (Kz) José Luis Rubiera (Sp) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zmanzzzz Posted February 18, 2008 Author Share Posted February 18, 2008 (edited) World time trial champion Fabian Cancellara (CSC) demolished the 3.4 kilometre prologue course from Palo Alto to the Stanford University campus on a beautiful Sunday afternoon for the opening stage of the third Tour of California. The Swiss rider went nearly five seconds faster than world pursuit champion Bradley Wiggins (High Road) on the flat, fast course to take the top honours. On a picture perfect California day, the riders were treated to sunny skies and light wind, making the day even faster than expected. John Murphy (Health Net) set the early fastest time before being overtaken by Slipstream's David Zabriskie, who was one of the early starters. Zabriskie's time held for 20 minutes before CSC's Swede Gustav Erik Larsson came through 0.4 seconds quicker. Larsson's time held the lead until the young American Tyler Farrar zoomed through to a 3'56.46, nearly two seconds faster. Farrar spent nearly 40 minutes in the hot seat before Wiggins came through half a second faster, but his 3.55.98 was not strong enough to withstand the onslaught of power from the legs of Cancellara. With the in-form Swiss rider targeting the Spring Classics, there was no hope for any other rider to come close to the win. Cancellara blazed to a 3'51.21, putting 4.7 seconds into Wiggins over the 3.4 kilometers. Last year's Tour of California champion Levi Leipheimer (Astana) put in a strong bid with a 3'57.52, taking fourth place ahead of the young Norwegian phenomenon, Edvald Boasson Hagen (High Road). link Results 1 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team CSC 3.51.21 2 Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Team High Road 0.04.77 3 Tyler Farrar (USA) Slipstream Chipotle Presented By H30 0.05.25 4 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana 0.06.31 5 Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Team High Road 0.07.68 6 Gustav Erik Larsson (Swe) Team CSC 0.07.98 7 David Zabriskie (USA) Slipstream Chipotle Presented By H30 0.08.37 8 Mark Cavendish (GBr) Team High Road 0.08.44 9 David Millar (GBr) Slipstream Chipotle Presented By H30 0.08.57 10 Steven Cozza (USA) Slipstream Chipotle Presented By H30 0.08.91 Edited February 18, 2008 by zmanzzzz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zmanzzzz Posted February 18, 2008 Author Share Posted February 18, 2008 2008 TV Schedule - Watch it all on VERSUS! Feb. 17 - Palo Alto - Stanford University 2PM PST/ 5PM EST Feb. 18 - Sausalito to Santa Rosa 8PM PST /11PM EST Feb. 19 - Santa Rosa to Sacramento 8PM PST /11PM EST Feb. 20 - Modesto to San Jose 8PM PST /11PM EST Feb. 21 - Seaside to San Luis Obispo 8PM PST /11PM EST Feb. 22 - Solvang 8PM PST /11PM EST Feb. 23 - Santa Barbara to Santa Clarita 2PM PST/ 5PM EST Feb. 24 - Santa Clarita to Pasadena 2PM PST/ 5PM EST Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darin3 Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 Maybe you should tell us about your naturally curly hair, ztool! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Swerski Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 Given that one of AMGEN's drugs killed people in clinical trials a couple of years ago and that they laid off a significant amount of their research staff last year, I find it strange that they're spending money and time on a cycling event. Seems like they have more pressing issues at hand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isleseeya Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 : Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zmanzzzz Posted February 18, 2008 Author Share Posted February 18, 2008 Given that one of AMGEN's drugs killed people in clinical trials a couple of years ago and that they laid off a significant amount of their research staff last year, I find it strange that they're spending money and time on a cycling event. Seems like they have more pressing issues at hand. yeah, was kind of wondering who they were. link to killings? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chavez Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 Given that one of AMGEN's drugs killed people in clinical trials a couple of years ago and that they laid off a significant amount of their research staff last year, I find it strange that they're spending money and time on a cycling event. Seems like they have more pressing issues at hand. What, like when Winston was staring down government lawsuits but still sponsored NASCAR? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chavez Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 I used to think it was just a joke, but I'm actually starting to believe that you really have no concept of what might be interesting to other people, and what isn't. Does this mean you look down your nose at my annual TdF thread? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zmanzzzz Posted February 18, 2008 Author Share Posted February 18, 2008 Does this mean you look down your nose at my annual TdF thread? 5 User(s) are reading this topic (0 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users) 5 Members: zmanzzzz, Big John, Bill Swerski, Pope Flick, AtomicCEO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Swerski Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 yeah, was kind of wondering who they were. link to killings? Yep, one of their anemia drugs was supposedly increasing death rates in people undergoing chemotherapy treatment, IIRC. Not exactly unheard of in the drug industry, as stuff like this happens. But they were in pretty serious financial trouble last year. What, like when Winston was staring down government lawsuits but still sponsored NASCAR? Yep, like that. I don't think that the 2,000+ people laid off from their Thousand Oaks facility last year would be happy about their spending habits. AMGEN has also developed a recombinant version of EPO, which makes their association with cycling even more dubious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chavez Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 Yep, like that. I don't think that the 2,000+ people laid off from their Thousand Oaks facility last year would be happy about their spending habits. If we're going to get our nuts in a twist over companies spending money stupidly, well, the line forms at the right and it's gonna be a LOOOONG one. As far as that goes, I recall the USPS saying that sponsoring a team in cycling cost a TON less than a single car in the Winston/Nextel/Sprint Cup series. AMGEN has also developed a recombinant version of EPO, which makes their association with cycling even more dubious. Well then, you at least can't argue that they are overlooking their target audience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chavez Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 my buddy used to train with levi. he is leading a new team this year, let's see how he does. Astana (Lux) Levi Leipheimer (USA) Janez Brajkovic (Slo) Vladimir Gusev (Rus) Christopher Horner (USA) Serguei Ivanov (Rus) Aaron Kemps (Aus) Andrey Mizurov (Kz) José Luis Rubiera (Sp) If I were Levi, I don't know that I'd want my name associated with Astana. Heck, they just got the boot from the TdF, which should make all their riders happy. Speaking of which, why isn't Contador riding this race? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coffeeman Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 Yep, like that. I don't think that the 2,000+ people laid off from their Thousand Oaks facility last year would be happy about their spending habits. But in a make lemonade-kinda way, Amgen's troubles are good for my company, since we are just a few miles away. We are now scooping up some of their best and brightest, if they don't mind switching industries, so they can keep living there - if they like the area. And it is a nice area.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zmanzzzz Posted February 18, 2008 Author Share Posted February 18, 2008 AMGEN has also developed a recombinant version of EPO, which makes their association with cycling even more dubious. chemical companies pushing the limits on gmo patients is perhaps the most evil human manifestation evar. it is so sad that by following one of my favorite sports i am supporting them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zmanzzzz Posted February 18, 2008 Author Share Posted February 18, 2008 If I were Levi, I don't know that I'd want my name associated with Astana. Heck, they just got the boot from the TdF, which should make all their riders happy. Speaking of which, why isn't Contador riding this race? no levi in the tour? how the heck did he get hooked up with those bad boys? no discovery? that is not right. link Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zmanzzzz Posted February 21, 2008 Author Share Posted February 21, 2008 Feburary 20th update: A terrific stage. Anyone who lives in the area knew this would be a great one. In a war of attrition, only two men remained on the final Sierra Grade steps — Robert Gesink and Levi Leipheimer then worked very well together holding off a formidable chase group over the last 20 miles to win by 19 seconds. The agreement was Gesink gets the win in return for Levi establishing the overall lead on the dangerous GC riders (Fabian Cancellara, David Millar and David Zabriskie) in the chase group. Levi said afterwards he was very surprised to here Cancellara was so close at the end of a mountaineous stage. Earlier, George Hincapie escaped on the long descent of Mt Hamilton (earning him the most aggressive rider of the day) before he was caught on the early slopes of Sierra-Grade. He would end up finishing more than seven minutes back. José Luis Rubiera was impressive driving the pace up the steep side of Mt. Hamilton, an effort greatly appreciated afterwards by his Astana team leader, Levi Leipheimer. The weather was much better than expected, but Mt. Hamilton is treacherous even when the roads are dry. Eight riders failed to cross the finish line within the qualifying time and were eliminated from the race. Stage 3 Results 1 Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank 4.28.29 (36.94 km/h) 2 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana 3 Jurgen Vandewalle (Bel) Quick Step 0.19 4 Kevin Seeldraeyers (Bel) Quick Step 5 Mauricio Alberto Ardila Cano (Col) Rabobank 6 Thomas Peterson (USA) Slipstream Chipotle by H30 7 Christopher Horner (USA) Astana 8 Mauricio Alberto Ardila Cano (Col) Rabobank 9 Alexandre Moos (Swi) BMC Racing Team 10 Victor Hugo Pena Grisales (Col) Rock Racing Live Text and Full Results — Cyclingnews General classification after stage 3 1 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana 13.45.30 2 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team CSC 0.13 3 Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank 0.15 4 David Millar (GBr) Slipstream Chipotle Presented by H30 0.20 5 Gustav Larsson (Swe) Team CSC 0.21 6 David Zabriskie (USA) Slipstream Chipotle Presented by H30 7 Christian Vande Velde (USA) Slipstream Chipotle Presented by H30 0.23 8 Christopher Horner (USA) Astana 0.25 9 Alexandre Moos (Swi) BMC Racing Team 0.29 10 Victor Hugo Pena Grisales (Col) Rock Racing 0.31 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darin3 Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 The question burning in everyone's mind is: does Levi have curly hair? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chavez Posted February 23, 2008 Share Posted February 23, 2008 does Levi have curly hair? He is stylin' the Chavez hairline. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zmanzzzz Posted February 23, 2008 Author Share Posted February 23, 2008 Stage 5 results: Levi Leipheimer wins in Solvang (again) by 28 seconds over David Millar; solidifes his overall lead Feburary 22 update: Just like last year, Levi Leipheimer entered the Solvang TT stage with a tight lead and ends the day extending it by a healthy amount. He certainly had to be nervous this year with many of the world's best time-trialers just behind him in GC. The intermediate best times just kept dropping and dropping with David Millar and Christian Vande Velde beating the U.S. National Time-Trial Champion and their Slipstream teammate David Zabriskie. Like Zabriskie, the World TT Champ Fabian Cancellara posted a disappointing time as well and both were more than one minute behind Levi's sub-31 minute time of 30.47. The twisty, rolling course seems to suit Levi more than anybody. The fine performances of Millar and Vande Velde move them up to 2nd and 3rd in GC and today's TT podium is now the GC podium too (), demonstrating once again how crucial a good TT performance is. Also, putting in great TT performances were domestic (continental) riders and teammates of the Bissell Pro Cyclng Team, Tom Zirbel and Ben Jacques-Maynes, who finished 8th and 9th respectively; the only domestic riders in the top 10. Levi is looking Golden, but Saturday will be a tough day and there is no ceremonial final stage on Sunday unlike other stage races and the two previous editions of the Tour of California. Look for Slipstream to be very aggressive attempting to isolate Levi over the next two days. It's not likely to happen, but Slipstream has three riders within 1.36 of Levi so it should make for good entertainment. — Steve Stage 5 Results 1 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana 30.47 2 David Millar (GBr) Slipstream Chipotle Presented by H30 0.29 3 Christian Vande Velde (USA) Slipstream Chipotle Presented by H30 0.45 4 Gustav Larsson (Swe) Team CSC 0.57 5 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team CSC 1.05 6 David Zabriskie (USA) Slipstream Chipotle Presented by H30 1.15 7 Janez Brajkovic (Slo) Astana 1.19 8 Tom Zirbel (USA) Bissell Pro Cycling 1.24 9 Benjamin Jacques-Maynes (USA) Bissell Pro Cycling 1.25 10 Kim Kirchen (Lux) High Road 1.28 Live Text and Full Results — Cyclingnews General classification after stage 5 1 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana 21.14.52 2 David Millar (GBr) Slipstream Chipotle Presented by H30 0.49 3 Christian Vandevelde (USA) Slipstream Chipotle Presented by H30 1.08 4 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team CSC 1.18 5 Gustav Larsson (Swe) Team CSC 1.19 6 David Zabriskie (USA) Slipstream Chipotle Presented by H30 1.36 7 Christopher Horner (USA) Astana 2.07 8 Jurgen Vandewalle (Bel) Quick Step 2.11 9 Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank 2.18 10 Alexandre Moos (Swi) BMC Racing Team 2.27 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zmanzzzz Posted February 23, 2008 Author Share Posted February 23, 2008 http://channelsurfing.net/watch-cycling-tv.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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