Velochimp: Astrochimp on Cycling

Looks like Levi Leipheimer has been training to win the first edition of the Tour of California. Levi stormed up to Coit Tower using his big chainring just about the entire way until 500 meters to go. Leipheimer’s final time of 4:53 was 5 seconds better than second place Bobby Julich. That would be a significant margin for a one week stage race, especially as Leipheimer seems to be in great form. Leipheimer may have found the key to winning since his tough victory in the Tour of Germany in August where he beat an in-form Jan Ullrich on home soil.

The most impressive aspect of the prologue has to be the top five finish of American riders. Each of them may be able to take the win. The first foreign rider is Fabian Cancellara who is a prologue specialist. It could be forgiven that Fabian did not take the win in a race in February. After all everybody is shaking out the legs in what is for some the first race of the season. But this is the Tour of California, the first edition which is more special especially with so many American contenders looking to be the first winner.

Leipheimer has made his intention known that he would like to be the first winner, but it looks like he may have a tough time keeping the lead with Phonak, Discovery Channel and CSC breathing down his neck. The top ten has four Discovery Channel and three CSC riders in the mix.

Discovery Channel look well placed to cause havoc in the next two road stages with so many riders in striking distance of the lead. CSC may be looking for an opportunity to switch to team-time-trial mode with riders such as Cancellara, Julich and Zabriske in the mix. Tuesday’s second stage may be upset be either of these teams looking to shake up the Gerolsteiner lead.

The buzz around the start line is already focusing around stage 2, from Martinez to San Jose, and its finishing category-1 climb up Sierra Road. Riders who have reconnoitered the route report on its steepness, but question how it may affect the general classification, given its summit almost 20 miles from the finish. — Velonews

I would expect either Discovery or CSC to try an shake up the peoloton in this stage especially if there are any major cross winds or funky weather. Riis and Bruyneel have been know to catch the peloton sleeping in these types of stages, so it may actually affect the overall placing more than expected. The only caveat to this strategy would be the impending individual time trial on stage 3.