Stage 4 - 16 May 2012
Sonora – Clovis
Coming the day before the time trial, this, the longest stage of the race, has all the ingredients necessary to provide a surprise winner.
The gold rush town of Sonora is hosting its first ever stage. Heading south on historic Highway 49, the saw-tooth course profile jags
up and down over multiple climbs along a 105km stretch known as the Mother lode.
At Oakhurst, one of the gateways to yosemite national Park, the riders will be confronted with one final ascent past the popular resort at Bass lake. it’s then 65km of descents and flat riding to the finish in Clovis.
While Mark cavendish won here in a bunch kick in 2009, a group of stage hunters could profit from the desire of teams with GC riders to take it easy before the race’s first real test.
Chris Horner: It doesn’t make sense for my team, as defending champions, to control this stage only to hand the jersey over to Levi or Zabriskie at the time trial. So this stage could give a breakaway a chance of going the whole distance.
Map
Image ©: AEG Cycling
Profile
Image ©: AEG Cycling