Stage 3 - San Jose to Livermore, May 15

Stage Recap

Stage 3 of the 2012 Amgen Tour of California started in north San Jose earlier today and made its way down to the city of Livermore. For the first time in the history of the race, the riders were challenged with a climb up Mt. Diablo, one of the most revered climbs in California. Peter Sagan (SVK) of Liquigas-Cannondale crossed the finish line first taking his third stage win of the 2012 race and making Amgen Tour of California history by winning three consecutive stages.

Jersey Winners

• Amgen Leader Jersey - Peter Sagan (SVK), Liquigas-Cannondale (ITA)
• Nissan King of the Mountain Jersey - Sébastian Salas (USA), Optum Powered by Kelly Benefit Strategies (USA)
• Visit California Sprint Jersey - Peter Sagan (SVK), Liquigas-Cannondale (ITA) (Heinrich Haussler (AUS), Garmin-Barracuda (USA) will wear the green Visit California Sprint Jersey tomorrow since Peter Sagan cannot wear three jerseys)
• Rabobank Best Young Rider Jersey - Peter Sagan (SVK), Liquigas-Cannondale (ITA) (Josh Atkins (NZL), Bontrager Livestrong Team (USA) will wear the Robobank Best Young Rider Jersey tomorrow since Peter Sagan cannot wear three jerseys)
• Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer® Most Courageous Rider Jersey - Wilson Marentes Torres (COL), Colombia-Coldeportes (COL)
• Exergy Most Aggressive Rider Jersey - Jeremy Vennell (NZL), Bissell Pro Cycling (USA)

Stage 3 Top-3

• First - Peter Sagan (SVK), Liquigas-Cannondale (ITA)
• Second - Heinrich Haussler (AUS), Garmin-Barracuda (USA)
• Third - Tom Boonen (BEL), Omega Pharma-QuickStep (BEL)

Stage 3 will begin in San Jose, the only city to have played host to the Amgen Tour of California all seven years of the race. This year, the typical downtown start has been moved to north San Jose, just a few miles from the infamous Sierra Road climb. While the riders won’t be expected to tackle a Category 1 climb just two miles from the start as they have been in the past, the route into Livermore is one that the race has taken before: Calaveras Road and Highway 84. While Livermore will be hosting their first stage finish in 2012, riders have raced thru the town during previous editions including the Stage 4 start in 2011. Home of the renowned Lawrence Livermore Labs, the City of Livermore (established in 1869) played a prominent role in California’s Gold Rush history and is home today to a thriving wine industry.

Just 28 miles into the race, the riders will contest a challenging Sprint to the finish but the race will just be getting started. Heading out north on Livermore Avenue, the riders will likely face a stiff headwind coming down the valley. After passing through the town of Danville, the Amgen Tour of California will grant a wish that has been made for the past six years by riders and fans, “Please climb Mt. Diablo.” For the first time in the history of the race, the riders will climb Mt. Diablo. One of the most revered climbs in California, race organizers, cyclists and fans alike are excited to have this climb as part of Stage 3 of the 2012 race.

After a fast and technical descent into Walnut Creek, the race will then head east into the Town of Clayton where the second Sprint of the stage will take place. From Clayton, the race will connect back to a familiar route into Livermore. Just nine miles from the finish, the riders will likely tackle blustery winds as they battle the final KOM of the stage up Patterson Pass Road followed by a quick descent that will take the race onto Cross and Tesla roads. On Livermore Avenue once again, it will be just a few miles to what is sure to be a sprint finish in historic downtown Livermore.