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RACE REPORTS: TOUR OF CALIFORNIA STAGE 5: SAGAN THE STAGE, ROGERS THE LEAD
Road Bike Action
May 20, 2010
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(Photo: Ken Conley)
Peter Sagan (Liguigas) won the fifth stage of the Tour of California ahead of Michael Rogers (HTC-Columbia) and David Zabriskie (Garmin-Transitions). Out on the road Rogers picked up a 2-second time bonus and another 2-seconds by finishing second on the stage to claim the overall race lead.
The day was marred as the pre-race activities centered on Lance Armstrong (RadioShack) as he denied doping allegations from former teammate Floyd Landis. Things didn’t get any better for Armstrong as he was involved in a crash just 7-kilometers into the stage. Armstrong suffered a severe left elbow contusion as well as a 1.2-inch laceration under his left eye. Due to his injuries Armstrong was forced to abandon the race. Also force to abandon was Stuart O'Grady (Saxo Bank) and Heinrich Haussler (Cervelo).
"It was a shame to have to abandon early and not be able to help Levi to another victory," Armstrong said. "It was one of those crashes that put a bunch of us down. I tried to give it a go but my eye was swollen so I couldn't see properly and the pain in the elbow prevented me from holding the bars for the remainder of the stage."
At the first sprint bonus of the day it was Robert Hunter (Garmin-Transitions) who took the points ahead of Michael Rogers (Team HTC-Columbia) and Mark Cavendish (Team HTC-Columbia).Going into the second sprint bonus Karl Menzies (Unitedhealthcare Presented by Maxxis) out kicked yesterday’s breakaway hero Jeremy Powers (Jelly Belly p/b Kenda) and Paul Martens (Rabobank).
It wasn’t until 50-kilometers into the race that the day’s break formed. The break contained Mark Renshaw (Team HTC-Columbia), Grischa Niermann (Rabobank), Kurt Hovelynck (Quick Step), Paul Mach (Bissell), Benjamin Day (Fly V Australia) and William Dickeson (Jelly Belly p/b Kenda). Up the first KOM climb of the day the group’s lead grew to 6:15 with Mach claiming the points ahead of Niermann Hovelynck, Dickeson and Day.
Behind the break RadioShack began the chase, which resulted in the peloton breaking apart. At the top of the climb the RadioShack led chase group had closed within 4:30 of the break. The break held steady and with 70-kilometers to ride still had a lead of 4:25.
On the run to the day's second KOM the gap had tumbled to 2:30. Up Round Mountain Road, Day took the points ahead of Renshaw, Mach and Hovelynck. On the descent, Day and Renshaw rode clear of their breakaway companions and looked to be riding clear to victory. However, it wasn’t to be as Niermann, Hovelynck and Dickeson clawed their way back with 25-kilometers left.
As the break hit the first of two finishing circuits their gap was down to 1:45 with Dickeson yo-yoing off the back of the group. Up the climb on the first circuit the break began attacking each other. Dickeson was the first to try his hand, followed by Renshaw and finally Day. It was Day’s move that finally cracked the other riders. With six kilometers to go Day was off the front, 20-seconds ahead of a charging peloton.
Back in the peloton Jens Voigt (Saxo Bank) tore off the front in pursuit of Day. It was not to be for either rider as Liquigas, HTC-Columbia and Garmin-Transitions brought everything back together with 2-kilometers to go. Zabriskie led into the final 500-meters and in the run for the line it was Sagan who crossed first, followed by Rogers and Zabriskie. With his 2-second bonus for finishing second on the stage, Rogers assumed the overall lead from Zabriskie.
Tour of California Stage 5: Visalia - Bakersfield 195.5km
1. Peter Sagan (Svk/Liquigas-Doimo)
2. Michael Rogers (Aus/HTC-Columbia)
3. Dave Zabriskie (USA/Gamin-Transitions)
4. Chris Horner (USA/RadioShack)
5. Paul Martens (Ger/Rabobank)
6. Tony Martin (Ger/HTC-Columbia)
7. Levi Leopheimer (USA/RadioShack)
8. Ryder Hesjedal (Can/Garmin-Transitions)
9. Rory Sutherland (Aus/UnitedHeathcare p/b Maxxis)
10. Jens Voigt (Ger/Saxo Bank)
General Classification After Stage 5
1. Michael Rogers (Aus/HTC-Columbia)
2. Dave Zabriskie (USA/Gamin-Transitions)
3. Levi Leopheimer (USA/RadioShack) @ .10
4. Peter Sagan (Svk/Liquigas-Doimo) @ .15
5. Marc De Maar (Ned/Unitedhealthcare p/b Maxxis) @. 28
6. Ryder Hesjedal (Can/Garmin-Transitions) @. 31
7. Janez Brajkovic (Slo/RadioShack) @ s.t.
8. Rory Sutherland (Aus/Unitedhealthcare p/b Maxxis)
9. Christopher Horner (USA/Radioshack)
10. Thomas Danielson (USA/Garmin-Transitions)
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