Time trial win nets Garmin-Barracuda rider race lead
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David Zabriskie (Garmin-Barracuda) blitzed the Bakersfield course(Image credit: John Pierce/Amgen Tour of California)
New race leader, Dave Zabriskie (Garmin-Barracuda) takes the spoils on the podium(Image credit: John Pierce/Amgen Tour of California)
Dave Zabriskie (Garmin-Barracuda) takes over the yellow jersey after his win today.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich)
Dave Zabriskie (Garmin-Barracuda)(Image credit: Isabelle Duchesne)
David Zabriskie took advantage of the hot and windy conditions in the Bakersfield time trial to claim the stage win and overall lead in the Amgen Tour of California on Thursday. The course was well suited to the Garmin-Barracuda rider, benefitting those who can put out plenty of power: fairly flat, no technical turns and new pavement that sapped the speed of lesser men.
"It was a very hot, very windy, very desolate part of California, but it is the kind of course I like. I was very happy to get this stage, to win it, get it done, I've been waiting for it."
Zabriskie was beaten at the first time check by BMC's Tejay van Garderen, but ended up 34 seconds ahead of the younger American. "You gotta go out hard and you have to finish hard," Zabriskie said. "I was happy I didn't blow up. Some of that is just concentration.
"This was a really good course for me. Any course where I don't have to get out of the of the aero bars is to my advantage," he said later in the press conference. "My position is pretty good in the wind so I was welcoming the wind."
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Laura Weislo has been with Cyclingnews since 2006 after making a switch from a career in science. As Managing Editor, she coordinates coverage for North American events and global news. As former elite-level road racer who dabbled in cyclo-cross and track, Laura has a passion for all three disciplines. When not working she likes to go camping and explore lesser traveled roads, paths and gravel tracks. Laura specialises in covering doping, anti-doping, UCI governance and performing data analysis.
