Tour of California 2011: Stage 6 Preview

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Amgen Tour of California - Stage 6 Map
(Image credit: AEG Cycling)

The notorious Solvang Time Trial returns to grace the Amgen Tour of California after a one year absence. The 24 kilometre test is held in and around the quaint Danish town of Solvang. It is a short but challenging parcours that is well suited to a rider like RadioShack’s Levi Leipheimer, who won the stage and the event’s overall title on three occasions. The course is predominantly uphill on the way out as the riders pass over Ballard Canyon and descend back into the Solvang finish line.

"I would put Dave Zabriskie down as my four and three quarter-star favorite. If Tony Martin is there I think he could be spectacular but I also think that he has been training and racing at a high level during the early season and we need to believe that his form is going to drop somewhere. With his win at Paris-Nice, he would be a favorite at the Solvang time trial but I think his form will be dropping by the Tour of California, while other riders are on target for this race."

Kirsten Frattini is the Deputy Editor of Cyclingnews, overseeing the global racing content plan.

Kirsten has a background in Kinesiology and Health Science. She has been involved in cycling from the community and grassroots level to professional cycling's biggest races, reporting on the WorldTour, Spring Classics, Tours de France, World Championships and Olympic Games.

She began her sports journalism career with Cyclingnews as a North American Correspondent in 2006. In 2018, Kirsten became Women's Editor – overseeing the content strategy, race coverage and growth of women's professional cycling – before becoming Deputy Editor in 2023.

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