Special Tour of California report from Directeur Sportif Matt White
Yesterday threatened to be one rude stage with a hell of a lot of climbing. With five categorized climbs and many more along the route, the race could have easily gone to pieces. The field went out of the blocks and the first hour was very fast and aggressive. Everyone was looking to be in that elusive break.
It finally went on the first climb and we had Tommy D in it along with Chris Horner and a couple of other GC contenders. It splintered not long after, and with the exit of all GC dangers, Astana settled down into a rhythm that enabled the field to stay together during the next four climbs.
After leaving the very challenging mountain sector, all there was left to do was reel in the escapees. With Tyler Farrar in good form, we had Trent Lowe and Tom Peterson join in the chase to ensure a bunch sprint. Tyler (above left) finished a very credible 5th!
The good news is the weather was sensational. The team is well and ready to get down to the business end of the Tour of California.
Garmin-Slipstream stage 4 results
1. Mark Cavendish 4h42’38″
5. Tyler Farrar +00″
16. Steven Cozza +00″
33. Tom Danielson +00″
38. Christian Vande Velde +00″
45. Tom Peterson +00″
47. Dave Zabriskie +00″
59. Svein Tuft +00″
103. Trent Lowe +46″
Garmin-Slipstream GC
1. Levi Leipheimer 13h51’14″
2. Michael Rogers +24″
3. Dave Zabriskie +28″
14. Tom Danielson +42″
23. Tom Peterson +5’56″
27. Christian Vande Velde +6’04″
41. Steven Cozza +9’08″
49. Svein Tuft +15’13″
73. Trent Lowe +24’51″
83. Tyler Farrar +29’52″
Team Classification
1. Astana 55h42’46″
2. Garmin-Slipstream +3’58″
3. Team Saxo Bank +5’41″
