2007 Stage 4 Quotes
Paolo Bettini (ITA) Winner, Stage 4
Quick Step-InnergeticStage 4 Post-Race Comments
Comparing the Amgen Tour of California to European racing and overall impressions of the race
“The roads are all different, the landscape changes, but the riders and the competition are the same… Day by day, I am discovering California on this course and it is beautiful… I am very happy to be here… Here in California the courses are good for me. They are difficult, but not too difficult. The fans here are incredible, just incredible.”
On his win today
“Yesterday in the final part of the stage I was tested by the conditions, but I saw I had some strength. Today was a very up day. To win the stage was very, very good.”
Levi Leipheimer (Santa Rosa, California) General Classification Leader, Second Place Stage 3
Discovery Channel Pro Cycling TeamStage 4 Post-Race Comments
In general
“We only had one shower. One shower in two years in the Amgen Tour of California isn’t bad. Today was a stark contrast to yesterday’s stage, which was very aggressive and hyperactive and smooth sailing for the Discovery Channel team.”
On the time trial
“I’ve been thinking about it for a year, and I feel pretty confident. I’ve seen the course, I’ve worked a lot on my time trialing, and I feel it’s a lot better. I feel like I’m the best rider in the race, and I’m going to give it everything tomorrow.”
On the Amgen Tour of California
“I think this race is great. It’s indescribable. Look, we have the world champion, Paolo Bettini winning here in San Luis Obispo, Calif., in the Amgen Tour of California. It’s beautiful. We have an awesome field, all the riders are still raving from last year, and they’ll be looking forward to 2008.
One step closer to overall?
“I would have liked to get to the finish with a minute over that group, but from the sounds of it they were pretty close to us. I’m a long way from the overall victory. I’ve always said I would love to win here. I’m going to give it everything.”
Christophe Laurent (FRA) Leader, California Travel and Tourism King of the Mountains Competition
Credit AgricoleStage 4 Post-Race Comments
On taking over the lead
“I was third in the competition starting today’s stage, and when I got into the break I realized I had a good chance… The King of the Mountains jersey was not in the front my mind before the race, but it is always in the back of my mind. After the first day I had decided it would be my goal.”
On the race
“I am very impressed by the race and very, very impressed by the organization. I have been really enjoying the spectator turnout, particularly on Stage One. I was impressed by how many people were on the climb.”
Lucas Euser (San Luis Obispo, Calif.) rode in breakaway group, finished in main bunch
Team SlipstreamStage 4 Post-Race Comments
On finishing the stage in his hometown.
“Last year (when the Amgen Tour of California finished here) I could read the signs with my name. Today I was a little bit cross-eyed coming into the finish. It was a long day out there, and I was definitely not looking out for those. I was looking at the wheel in front., but it feels really good knowing that there are a lot of people out there yelling my name, and I heard that. I know there’s a ton of support out there -- a lot of my friends and close friends came to watch, and came up to me after the race and congratulated me. Everybody’d watched it on the big screen. I could feel it out there.”
