Stage 2: Monday, May 17 2010, Davis - Santa Rosa, 176.2km
By Cycling News published
A little speed bump before the finish...
The second stage from Davis to Santa Rosa will begin on roads familiar from the 2009 edition, taking in the flat first third of the stage before entering the hills of Napa County, but new for 2010 will be a bit of a speed hump before the fast downhill run into Santa Rosa - the Trinity Road climb.
The route starts out flat, tame roads before heading into the rolling hills that skirt Lake Berryessa, providing a good warm-up for the first major climb on Howell Mountain road, where the students of Pacific Union College will once again line the sides of the road for the KOM sprint just outside their campus gates.
After a twisting plunge into the heart of wine country, the riders will be diverted from last year's route, heading across the valley and up to the daunting Trinity Road summit used in the opposite direction in previous years.
A steeper approach to the summit on Trinity Road from the east should make for an exciting sprint for the KOM, and with only a bit more than 30km to Santa Rosa, it should make the chase back by the sprinters much more difficult than in previous years.
Click here to view the stage map and profile.
Vaughters' Views
The race already gets hard and hilly before the European teams have totally gotten over jet lag, as this day heads up the backside of Trinity Grade just 30 kilometres from the finish line. In past years, this is the type of stage where Levi Leipheimer would put his stamp of authority on the event and leave the rest of us racing for second place.
I imagine this year Levi has a similar plan in mind, as a win in his hometown of Santa Rosa would be a dream come true for him. With strong climbers like Vincenzo Nibali coming to the race this year, and the event being at a later date where more riders are approaching 100 per cent of their fitness, things won't be as simple for Leipheimer as in the past.
I'd look more for a group of 5 to 15 elite climbers and GC contenders sprinting out the finish in Santa Rosa. Someone who can climb and sprint a bit would be my pick. Maybe George Hincapie if he's not too tired from the Classics? Or a guy that can sprint better than most little climbers: Lance Armstrong.

Thank you for reading 5 articles this month*
Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
after your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59

Join now for unlimited access
Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Latest on Cyclingnews
-
Andrew Evans wins men's Highlands Gravel Classic
Mason McNeill second and Rane Roatta third in Fayetteville -
Lenny Ramsey wins women's Highlands Gravel Classic
Stefanie Sydlik second and Danielle Larson third in Fayetteville -
Unique podium sweep for L39ION of Los Angeles at US Pro Crit Championship
‘It's my teammate’s wheel, it's my wheel, you're not going to take it’ says two-time titlist Kendall Ryan about holding off Coryn Labecki -
'I hope Amy Pieters is proud' - Riejanne Markus wins women's Dutch road race title
Shirin van Anrooij second and Lorena Wiebes third on VAM-Berg