Tour of Cali

[RICHARDH]

Well the first Pro T race of the season is over and this is the next major of the season. And it looks like a blast from the past with the like of Armstrong, Landis, Basso racing (is Rock Racing still going? Tyler?) Looks like there are plenty of riders that are getting into form early this year and should be a bit more open than years previous. Then again Levi might just win it again with a strong Astana team. Apparently a pretty tough course this year aswell, bet Tutur had that kind of market pressure in australia for the teams to compete and do well

[Chuck]

Apparently a pretty tough course this year

I went with Lance on the strength of that statement.

How many stages ? Is there a TT ? I really don't know much about the race

[RICHARDH]

Theres a Prologue and a ITT on Stage 6 with some tough finishs on stages 7 and 8 suits a GC rider. Ive been wondering why SBS dont use the new digital channels theyve got to show these races they would all be on late at night not exactly prime time viewing. Suppose it must be the cost of the rights must be too much

[rob045]

Apparently a pretty tough course this year

I went with Lance on the strength of that statement.

How many stages ? Is there a TT ? I really don't know much about the race

I think Lance has said he will be their to help Levi win the race.

[Tale]

Having watched Lance riding past dozens of times at the TDU, particularly on the hills, I genuinely think he could win this. It depends if he treats it as another "return to cycling" race, or really tries. If he's only there to help Levi, this is just another TDU.

I got the impression he was experimenting at the TDU. His breakaways were:
1. Helping Jack Bobridge, the new kid he admired.
2. The final road stage hill climb with the most cameras.
3. The final laps of the final criterion, again seemingly just for show.

i.e. he had plenty in the tank.

[RICHARDH]

1. Helping Jack Bobridge, the new kid he admired.

Dont know if he helped Jack out there i think its more likely that Jack would have got away on his own as his considered less of a threat than Lance that break got shut down pretty quick.

[toolonglegs]

Winning this will give Lance a lot of publicity...but I think for Levi this is a A event.

[lucybears]

Route & Stages, startlist and more at spam site removed. Admin race special about the Tour of California

but note that Rock Racing have removed David Vitoria and added Chris Baldwin & Glen Chadwick

[RICHARDH]

Lucy your back and sprooking that website

[RICHARDH]

Well looks like Levi will win it again unless the weather starts to play more of a part on the last few Climbing stages. Rogers, Andy Schleck, and Basso seem to be the only ones that are in a decent enough position to challenge overall.

[sogood]

I loved stage 1 and 2. Very exciting. Mancebo was da man in stage 1 and my hero. But agree with the majority, Levi has this wrapped up unless unexpected circumstances or he screws up in the upcoming TT. And Levi being the captain of Astana in this tour, Lance won't challenge him for the top spot.

BTW, the live video and race stat feed on <http://www.tourofcalifornia.com/> is the best I've seen. However, you better have the data bandwidth and allocation to handle it.

[RICHARDH]

I reckon Rogers is looking pretty strong to im waiting for the GC to be reported but im pretty sure his looking pretty good and has a pretty strong team. Struggling to find too many others Basso wont do anything silly cos his concentrating on May, Schlecks the same except for the month. Rogers needs to prove he can still win Stage Racers.

*edit

Yep just saw the GC looks like Rogers is the only on really close enough of the real contenders to challenge would be great if he can win but even a podium is pretty good considering how strong Astana are.

[Chuck]

BTW, the live video and race stat feed on <http://www.tourofcalifornia.com/> is the best I've seen. However, you better have the data bandwidth and allocation to handle it.

I signed up too, but was wondering what time is it here when it's midday over there ?

[Tale]

If you want a local site there's pretty good coverage on http://www.sbs.com.au/cyclingcentral

[sogood]

I signed up too, but was wondering what time is it here when it's midday over there ?

There's no signing up for that race site. The live coverage page is an Adobe Flash site with quality video stream and other media goodies that'll keep you entertained for the whole race.

The time difference with US West Coast is easy. Just add 5 hours from Sydney time. So it's easy to catch the race live in the morning on that site.

[muggah]

Sastre 111th in GC - he must be on a training ride??

[toolonglegs]

Someone give Levi some riding lessons

[sogood]

Sastre 111th in GC - he must be on a training ride??

He crashed earlier so I won't start any doping rumours here.

[RICHARDH]

Should be an intresting day tommorow some decent climbs in there and the GC is still fairly open. Rogers looks like the his in very good form, will be intrest come may and july. The last three stages look like there set for both Levi and Rogers.

[sogood]

Rogers looks like the his in very good form, will be intrest come may and july.

Contador hasn't showed his face yet.

[RICHARDH]

Hard to do that from spain, thinks his first race is today or tommorow. Wont see much of Bertie till Paris Nice.

[toolonglegs]

RIght place..right time.. http://www.velonews.com/photo/88056

[sogood]

RIght place..right time.. http://www.velonews.com/photo/88056

How did the first rider come down and who was it? I thought LeviL said that he touched a team mates's wheel.

[toolonglegs]

RIght place..right time.. http://www.velonews.com/photo/88056

How did the first rider come down and who was it? I thought LeviL said that he touched a team mates's wheel.

Levi ran into LA's rear wheel...then lost the front end...lapse of concentration.LA looked back with a Say What look
Lucky Boonen didn't use his head as a cobble!.

[RICHARDH]

Could have his front wheel is just in frame. Not much you can do as one of the fellas just behind. Lucky Levi only has a sore bum.