Tales from the peloton, February 24, 2009

Tour of California in the frame

By Daniel Benson

There's no doubt that this year's Tour of California was a huge success. From the Olympic champion storming to the first leader's jersey in Sacramento to Levi Leipheimer claiming his third consecutive overall win; we've seen some of the most thrilling racing on American soil in years. And it's been a big week too, with an estimated two million fans flocking to the roadsides for America's biggest cycling race.

Of course we were in for a show right from the get-go, with a start list jam-packed with enough glitz and glamour to give the Academy Awards a run for its money. Armstrong, Leipheimer, Sastre, Landis, Basso, the Schlecks, Cavendish and Boonen made up the finest cast the race had ever seen.

There was an improved route, too. We saw the peloton face climb after climb - albeit mainly in the middle of stages - but with so many riders brushing away their winter cobwebs, it was gripping viewing as to who could last the pace. Many couldn't, but it only helped build the suspense. First Sastre and Landis dropped out of the running, while surprise-package Mancebo made use of the bad conditions and lack of radio communications to ride to an old-school style win. There were more surprises just around the corner when a fresh-faced Thomas Peterson took stage two, while Leipheimer played his cards early, but to perfection, with what turned out to be the race-winning attack.

There was room for the sprinters to showcase their talents as well. Cavendish and Boonen raced last month at the Tour Qatar, but this was different - the world was now watching as the Manxman stole the show with back-to-back wins. If there was ever any doubt as to who the fastest rider in the world is, it's surely been dispelled now.

We also had a race-deciding time trial, and while the race provided little in the way of shocks there after, everyone was still tuning in to see if Astana could handle the pressure and attacks unleashed on them, as first Rinaldo Nocentini, and then Frank Schleck won from breakaways.

As the curtain falls on the fourth edition of the race, we've put together this highlights package of images. It's been a great race and it's been even greater having you with us. Enjoy!

4th Tour of California - 2.HC, USA, February 14-22, 2009

The race in pictures

Leipheimer did a great prologue Photo ©: John Pierce	Governator Arnold Schwarzenegger congratulates winner Fabian Cancellara. Photo ©: Jon Devich	Francisco Mancebo (Rock Racing) jubilant Photo ©: Jon Devich	Levi Leipheimer, realising he has just taken the yellow jersey Photo ©: Wil Matthews
Levi Leipheimer kisses his new leader's jersey Photo ©: Wil Matthews	Rock Racing leads the main group on Highway 1. Photo ©: Russ and Nancy Wright	The Golden Gate Bridge dwarfs the peloton. Photo ©: Mitch Clinton	Fans of Lance Armstrong await the peloton Photo ©: Wil Matthews
Mechanic Alejandro Torrallo works on the bike of Thir Hushovd Photo ©: Wil Matthews	Astana and Garmin-Slipstream meet in a pile-up Photo ©: Jon Devich	Boonen was all smiles despite his losses against Cavendish Photo ©: Roberto Bettini	The field encountered rain and snow in California Photo ©: Jon Devich
Astana strings things out again Photo ©: Jon Devich	Cavendish (Columbia-High Road) makes it look easy Photo ©: Mark Johnson	The peloton finally found some sun Photo ©: Jon Devich	Riders go along one of the huge irrigation ditches Photo ©: Jon Devich
Green grass and rolling hills greeted the riders Photo ©: Jon Devich	Lance Armstrong (Astana) is not quite back to his old TT form Photo ©: Jon Devich	David Zabriskie (Garmin-Slipstream) Photo ©: Mitch Clinton	Levi Leipheimer (Astana) looks good in yellow. Photo ©: Mitch Clinton
Rinaldo Nocentini (AG2R La Mondiale) after his first win of the season. Photo ©: Roberto Bettini	The rolling foothills before climbing up and over into Pasadena. Photo ©: Jon Devich	It was still chilly higher up on the mountains where a little snow was left. Photo ©: Jon Devich	The wide and narrow road... Photo ©: Jon Devich

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