Defending Champion Levi Leipheimer Retains Amgen Leader Jersey Heading into Final Stage of 2008 Amgen Tour of California
Alert: Due to the possibility of sever weather conditions, the course for tomorrow's Stage 7 of the 2008 Amgen Tour of California from Santa Clarita to Pasadena may be modified. Race organizers suggest that fans check the official Web site, www.amgentourofcalifornia.com, to verify any changes to the start line and/or route. The finish will remain unchanged, ending on West Drive in Pasadena.Luciano Pagliarini Claims Victory After Penalty Shakes Up Standings in Stage 6
SANTA CLARITA, CALIF., February 23, 2008 – Fans in Santa Clarita lined the streets to witness the finish to Stage 6 of the 2008 Amgen Tour of California, which included an exciting bunch sprint to the finish line. After a review by race officials, Luciano Pagliarini (BRA) of Saunier Duval-Scott was determined to be the stage winner, followed closely by Juan Jose “J.J.” Haedo (ARG) of Team CSC and World Champion Paolo Bettini (ITA) of Quick Step. Levi Leipheimer (USA) of Astana retained the overall lead heading into the final stage of the race, which will take riders from Santa Clarita to Pasadena tomorrow.
Mark Cavendish (GBR) of High Road, who was originally declared the stage winner, recovered from a late crash during the first circuit lap and seemed to deliver a powerful sprint victory for High Road. However, officials would later relegate the sprinter for sheltering behind or falling into the slipstream of a vehicle. This decision gave the win to Pagliarini.
“I am so sorry about Cavendish,” said Pagliarini. “I won a stage. I’m very happy, but it’s not like a win with the hands up. I came in second, but I am the first.”
“Officials saw Mark (Cavendish) hang on to a car for an extended period of time,” said Jim Birrell, race director. “It’s unfortunate because he put in such a good effort today, but those are the rules.”
Despite the chaos and challenges that came late in the race, Astana managed to keep Leipheimer in the overall race lead, with an advantage of 49 seconds going into tomorrow’s race.
“It’s sweet to be near the prize, but it’s never over until we cross the finish line,” said Leipheimer. “The Amgen Tour of California is the best in the world right now and has the best riders. I feel privileged and proud to be the guy that has led the race for the past couple of years, but I’ve worked hard to earn it.”
In cloudy but dry conditions, the field rolled out of Santa Barbara for this 105-mile penultimate stage. The course featured several small climbs and many expected attacks from several teams. An early move on the second climb put six riders up the road.
This significant breakaway featured Steven Cozza (USA) of Slipstream Chipotle Presented by H30, Rory Sutherland (AUS) of HealthNet Presented by Maxxis, Christophe Le Mevel (FRA) of Credit Agricole, Alexandre Pichot (FRA) of Bouygues Telecom, Karsten Kroon (NED) of Team CSC and David Canada (ESP) of Saunier Duval-Scott.
Riding smoothly, the break built up a lead of seven minutes over the field. After the final climb of the day, Astana gave the front to the teams of sprinters and allowed them to chase down a stage win.
As the breakaway reached the streets of Santa Clarita, the leaders only had a dwindling two minute advantage. At the front of the field rode a train of Quick Step riders, with its two sprinters, Bettini and Tom Boonen (USA), in tow. Following close behind was High Road with its aces, Cavendish and Gerald Ciolek (GER), and Rock Racing’s sprint duo of Mario Cipollini (ITA) and Fred Rodriguez (USA).
But in that fight for position, wheels touched and down went Cipollini, Rodriguez and Cavendish in a heap.
“Coming into the last two laps, I had Cipollini in front of me and Cavendish in front of him,” said Rodriguez. “Cavendish swerved and took out Mario. I had no where to go. I basically t-boned Mario and then went head first into the pavement.” Cavendish and Cipollini both remounted and chased back up through the cars to the field and then advanced for the sprint.
Just as the breakaway dissolved, the rider sitting in second overall, David Millar (GBR) of Slipstream Chipotle Presented by H30, blasted off the front with Thomas Voeckler (FRA) of Bouygues Telecom in tow. Saunier Duval rider Iker Camano (ESP) went with the move as well.
“I was trying to look around for him and that’s when he went,” said Leipheimer. “My teammates Chris (Horner) and Chechu (Rubiero) got to the front - even in the midst of the Quick Step lead out - and brought him back.”
With that, the field prepared itself for a bunch sprint. As the riders leapt out of their saddles, Dominique Rollin (CAN) of the Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team pounced first and opened a margin.
He would be swarmed by the field, with Cavendish, bleeding from his crash, hitting the line first, followed by Pagliarini, Haedo and Bettini.
Today’s stage brought few changes to the jersey leaders. Sutherland was awarded the Tachyon Most Aggressive Rider Jersey. Scott Nydam (USA) from Team BMC claimed the California Travel and Tourism King of the Mountains Jersey for the fourth consecutive day. Rollin retained the Herbalife Sprint Leader Jersey for a third day. Robert Gesink (NED) of Rabobank held onto the Union Bank of California Best Young Rider Jersey. Slipstream Chipotle Presented by H30 is still leading the team classification.
Today marked the fourth Breakaway Mile – a special one-mile honorary ride across the finish line celebrating local cancer survivors and their support teams -- at this year’s race. At the finish line, prior to the conclusion of today’s stage, spectators celebrated Santa Clarita breast cancer survivor Brandi Newquist. Joining Brandi were the people who helped her with her battle against cancer, including her husband Bobby, as well as members of her medical team and Amgen scientist Joe Miletich who plays a crucial role in developing innovative medicines.
Today’s Breakaway Mile supports Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer™ initiative which raises awareness of the valuable services and programs, provided free of charge, that help people living with cancer. The Breakaway Mile also celebrates the many scientific innovations that have and will lead to new treatments for cancer patients.
Another local cancer survivor, 8-year-old Jacob DeLong, was also honored during today’s festivities. Together with Amgen scientist Joe Miletich, DeLong presented the Amgen Leader Jersey on stage to Leipheimer, drawing enthusiastic cheers from DeLong’s family and Santa Clarita fans.
“Similar to cycling where it takes a solid support team to help a rider breakaway from the pack, it takes innovative medicines, along with a strong support network, to help a person break away from cancer,” said Joe Miletich, senior vice president, research and development. “It was an honor to ride in the Breakaway Mile today with cancer survivor Brandi Newquist.”
For the latest information on the Breakaway from Cancer initiative and ways to support those living with the illness, visit www.breakawayfromcancer.com.
STAGE 7 RACE FINALE TOMORROW:
Sunday, Feb. 24 – Pasadena (93.4 mi/150.2 km)Start Time: Noon PST
Estimated Finish Time: 3:30-4 p.m. PST
By configuring the final stage of the 2008 Amgen Tour of California as a difficult point-to-point road race, there is a chance to see an overall lead change, as well as a change in the KOM jersey leader on the last day. The first 25 miles of Stage 7, sponsored by Amgen, includes a gradual climb from Santa Clarita to the intersection of Angeles Forest Road. The route continues uphill to the highest elevation ever reached by the Amgen Tour of California on the towering Millcreek Summit (4,906 feet). Descending with a 15-mile run to Angeles Crest Highway, the route begins a fast plunge to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. After more than 60 miles from Santa Clarita to Pasadena, with the mountains and the Rose Bowl serving as the backdrop, the peloton will complete the stage and the race, with six five-mile laps on a very demanding circuit around the Rose Bowl.
For full results, archived footage, GPS data, team and course information, race play-by-play and more, please visit the official race Web site at www.amgentourofcalifornia.com In addition to the Web site, fans can view the race on the daily VERSUS broadcasts. Highlights from Stage 7 will air on VERSUS tomorrow at 5 p.m. EST.
About the Amgen Tour of California
The largest cycling event in America, the 2008 Amgen Tour of California is a Tour de France-style road race presented by AEG that will challenge the world’s top professional cycling teams to compete along a demanding 650-mile course from Palo Alto-Stanford University to Pasadena from February 17-24, 2008.About Amgen
Amgen discovers, develops and delivers innovative human therapeutics. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen was one of the first companies to realize the new science's promise by bringing safe and effective medicines from lab, to manufacturing plant, to patient. Amgen therapeutics have changed the practice of medicine, helping millions of people around the world in the fight against cancer, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and other serious illnesses. With a broad and deep pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen remains committed to advancing science to dramatically improve people's lives. To learn more about Amgen's pioneering science and vital medicines, visit www.amgen.com. About AEG AEG is one of the leading sports and entertainment presenters in the world. AEG, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Anschutz Company, owns or controls a collection of companies including facilities such as STAPLES Center, The Home Depot Center, Sprint Center, The O2, NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE and NOKIA Theatre Times Square; sports franchises including the Los Angeles Kings (NHL), two Major League Soccer franchises, a Major League Lacrosse team, two hockey franchises operated in Europe, management of privately held shares of the Los Angeles Lakers, the ING Bay to Breakers foot race and the Amgen Tour of California cycling road race; AEG LIVE, the organization’s live-entertainment division, is a collection of companies dedicated to all aspects of live contemporary music performance, touring and a variety of programming and multi-media production. For more information, visit AEG today at www.aegworldwide.com# # #
