The weather was miserable this morning in Santa Rosa when Stage 2 of the 2008 Amgen Tour of California rolled off in the hometown of defending race champion Levi Leipheimer. With CSC's Fabian Cancellara cloaked in the golden leader's jersey, the race faced a 116-mile/186-km ride in cold rain on the way to Sacramento. Four miles in, BMC's Scott Nydam flew the coop on a solo escapade that lasted over 90 miles. He snagged both KOMs and both Herbalife Sprint time bonuses along the way, but the teams of the sprinters worked together so they could have their day when they arrived at the finishing circuits in the state capital crowded with fans despite the dreary conditions. An attentive Tyler Farrar (Team Slipstream) snagged valuable time bonuses as well at the Herbalife Sprints, which vaulted him into the leader's jersey. After the peloton roared into town on the wet streets of Sacramento, Quick Step's Tom Boonen proved to have the fastest pair of wheels today in the final sprint after three downtown circuits to win his first stage at the Amgen Tour of California.
Tomorrow the race will change dramatically as the 102.7-mile/165.3-km route will be the first chance for the climbers and the true general classification rider to show themselves during Stage 3, sponsored by the state of California, which runs from Modesto to San Jose. There is one Herbalife Sprint early on, but the real damage will be done during five KOM climbs, including three category 4s, one above category on Mt. Hamilton, and one category 1 up Sierra Road, which has shattered the field in previous years. We'll be back with live coverage at 9:30 AM PST and the racing action begins at 10 AM PST. Join me, Rick Scott, for the play by play, and Frankie Andreu & Fantastic Joe Silva will be broadcasting video. Thank you for join us on the Amgen Tour of California website. See you tomorrow.
15:30:20
In addition to a wide array of Amgen Tour of California men's and women's T-shirts, sweatshirts, jerseys and hats that are available now on our online site, there is the official Amgen Tour of California Collector's Bell that is made from recycled spent cartridges from Norwegian Military practice ranges. No lie. We're green here at the Amgen Tour of California. Remember that today there is a special on women's clothing. Get a 20% discount by using today's merchandise code "LADY2008" at checkout.
15:29:07
We're waiting for the results to be official. They'll be posted on this site as soon as they are available, including the stage, the GC, Sprint Competition, KOM, Best Young Rider, Team Competition and the Most Aggressive Rider, which will most likely be today's long breakaway rider, Scott Nydam of BMC.
15:26:19
The Gerolsteiner rider in 2nd was Heinrich Haussler, who was 3rd yesterday.
15:22:33
It could be Slipstream's Tyler Farrar in the golden leader's jersey as the new race leader.
15:20:35
A Gerolsteiner took 2nd and Cipo took 4th.
15:19:27
Mark Cavendish broke free, but ran out of gas. It's Boonen just ahead of the green jersey in J.J. Haedo.
15:17:50
Here they come!
15:17:56
High Road still in front, but Quick Step is nearby.
15:17:08
1 km to go!
15:16:45
High Road is all over the front.
15:15:42
Toyota-United is up front now, too, as is Saunier Duval. Haedo is back in position near his teammates.
15:14:54
One lap to go. Rock Racing is moving up for Fred Rodriguez and Mario Cipollini.
15:13:45
High Road is now setting the pace at the front.
15:11:55
Haedo is back! Let's see if he can get back to the front and still have something left in his legs for the sprint.
15:11:12
Two laps to go. Quick Step is still leading the charge.
15:10:20
Haedo is on his own desperately trying to get back to the pack.
15:09:52
Haedo is on his own desperately trying to get back to the pack.
15:09:12
Haedo flatted! He's back on the road, but that was terrible luck!
15:08:28
Haedo flatted! He's back on the road, but that was terrible luck!
15:07:28
High Road is up in the mix as well for their young sprinters Ciolek and Mark Cavendish.
15:06:01
They cross the finish line and now have 3 laps to go.
15:05:04
The field is strung out single file.
15:04:14
CSC, Slipstream and Quick Step are at the front.
15:03:01
Spectators line the road up to the capital despite the weather. Turgot has been caught.
15:01:32
The break is down to 12 seconds.
15:01:02
The road looks slick as Turgot picks his way carefully around the corners. He still has a small gap, but CSC is lifting the pace.
14:59:28
The peloton has hit the circuits.
14:57:52
The gap is now 20 seconds.
14:56:51
CSC and HealthNet are driving the front. Quick Step and Slipstream are moving up as well.
14:53:02
Oh no! Turgot had a 35 second gap, but he just flatted. His break is over.
14:51:15
In addition to a wide array of Amgen Tour of California men's and women's T-shirts, sweatshirts, jerseys and hats that are available now on our online site, there is the official Amgen Tour of California Collector's Bell that is made from recycled spent cartridges from Norwegian Military practice ranges. No lie. We're green here at the Amgen Tour of California. Remember that today there is a special on women's clothing. Get a 20% discount by using today's merchandise code "LADY2008" at checkout.
14:50:53
The field is about 5 miles away from the finishing circuits in Sacramento.
14:49:12
His advantage is already 20 seconds.
14:48:00
A Bouygues Telecom rider has launched off the front. It's Sebastian Turgot.
14:46:53
The light rain has returned and the road is wet in Sacramento. The riders will have three 2-mile circuits when they get here.
14:42:14
High Road and Quick Step dominate the head peloton. High Road's Bradley Wiggins is at the point.
14:40:05
Nydam held on for over 90 miles. The field is at the 95-mile mark today.
14:38:46
After breaking 4 miles into the stage, BMC's Scott Nydam's long escape is over.
14:37:09
Nydam is just about done as the peloton has him in their sights.
14:33:58
Lots of Quick Step blue at the front along with High Road white.
14:28:35
CSC is back drilling it at the front in support of Haedo. They're riding single file with a little help from Quick Step, who have Boonen and Bettini armed and ready to launch for the sprint.
14:23:53
Nydam's advantage has dropped to only 4:30. The sprinters will have their day unless something strange happens.
14:17:27
There is still a lone break and for the second consecutive day, it's a BMC rider. Today it's Scott Nydam, who slipped away from the field in the opening miles of the stage. His advantage reached 15 minutes at one point, but it's rapidly diminishing. It's less than 6 minutes now.
14:08:27
We're now more than 85 miles into the 116-mile stage. It's going to be a fast finish in Sacramento where the Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, awaits. Let's hope it's a safe finish as well despite the wet roads.
14:04:19
The gap is now 7:15 and slipping with each mile ridden. The second Herbalife Sprint points officially went to Nydam, Farrar and High Road's Gerald Ciolek.
14:02:43
Slipstream is all at the front now in pursuit of the break because they know their man Farrar could put on the golden jersey as race leader tonight if the stage finishes in a sprint.
13:57:58
Tyler Farrar has taken the 2-second time bonus, which gives him an advantage over Cancellara in the GC. Nydam's gap is now down to 8:05.
13:56:33
Team Slipstream and Quick Step have taken the helm in pursuit of the remaining Herbalife Sprint points still up for grabs.
13:54:47
Big crowd here in Sacramento. If you have the opportunity to come see the best riders in the world his week in California, come on out. You've never seen anything like it. Experience for yourself.
13:50:59
Amgen's Breakaway From Cancer initiative supports those battling the disease as well as funding cancer research. You can make a difference in the lives of others by texting the word "DONATE" to 222377. It's a $2.00 donation. Those who donate will receive discounts valid at the Amgen Tour of California online store. You'll be automatically entered to win daily prizes and a chance to win a 2009 Amgen Tour of California VIP Getaway.
13:49:22
The field is 76 miles into the stage approaching the second and final Herbalife Sprint in Davis. The rest of the stage today they'll be on flat roads and the stage finishes with two fast laps of a two-mile circuit in Sacramento. Nydam has just crossed the sprint line to take the points and time bonus.
13:44:38
Amgen's Breakaway From Cancer initiative supports those battling the disease as well as funding cancer research. You can make a difference in the lives of others by texting the word "DONTATE" to 222377. It's a $2.00 donation. Those who donate will receive discounts valid at the Amgen Tour of California online store. You'll be automatically entered to win daily prizes and a chance to win a 2009 Amgen Tour of California VIP Getaway.
13:42:29
CSC has sent all their men to the front and they are pushing the pace single file as Nydam is 5 km away from the second Herbalife Sprint where he'll pocket another 3-second time bonus.
13:37:36
BMC's Scott Nydam remains in front all alone after taking off after only a few miles into the start of today's 2nd stage of the Amgen Tour of California.
13:29:29
The next Herbalife Sprint comes in Davis at the 80.8/130.1 km point. Tyler Farrar has cut his deficit in half to race leader Fabian Cancellara. The American is down only one second of the World Time Trial Champion from Switzerland.
13:24:26
The field strung out single file with High Road at the front. High Road's Gerald Ciolek took the points ahead of Slipstream's Tyler Farrar.
13:22:36
High Road, Slipstream, Rock Racing and Quick Step are at the front readying to unleash their sprinters for the 1st Herbalife Sprint.
13:19:53
In addition to a wide array of Amgen Tour of California men's and women's T-shirts, sweatshirts, jerseys and hats that are available now on our online site, there is the official Amgen Tour of California Collector's Bell that is made from recycled spent cartridges from Norwegian Military practice ranges. No lie. We're green here at the Amgen Tour of California. Remember that today there is a special on women's clothing. Get a 20% discount by using today's merchandise code "LADY2008" at checkout.
13:16:08
The gap has been allowed to grow again as Scott Nydam is now 12:25 ahead of the peloton. Light rain has begun falling here at the finish in Sacramento.
13:13:26
The field is at the 62-mile mark nearing the sprint line. It should be a battle. Got comments and questions? Email us at ATOC2008@yahoo.com.
13:10:08
And with that, Nydam has just collected the 3-second time bonus at the first Herbalife Sprint.
13:04:02
Nydam began the day 5:35 behind race leader Fabian Cancellara. With his advantage now, he's the virtual leader on the road.
12:59:54
Two Herbalife Sprints are coming up, the first of which occurs at the 65.7-mile/105.8 km points. Stuart O'Grady is the CSC workhorse at the moment, driving the peloton in pursuit of BMC's Nydam, who is 9:46 ahead at the 62-mile mark.
12:53:57
CSC drives the chase with Nydam's advantage hovering around the 10-minute mark.
12:52:13
The field conquered today's final KOM with points going to Jackson Stewart and Alexandre Moos taking 3rd and 4th. 1st went to Nydam and 2nd went to Sundt, who was just reabsorbed by the peloton.
12:46:10
Amgen's Breakaway From Cancer initiative supports those battling the disease as well as funding cancer research. You can make a difference in the lives of others by texting the word "DONTATE" to 222377. It's a $2.00 donation. Those who donate will receive discounts valid at the Amgen Tour of California online store. You'll be automatically entered to win daily prizes and a chance to win a 2009 Amgen Tour of California VIP Getaway.
12:44:41
The field is 51 miles into the 116 miles they'll cover in today's Stage 2, sponsored by Union Bank. Sundt is over 9 minutes ahead of the field while Nydam holds onto his 11:10 lead.
12:42:02
Sundt is laboring up the climb now.
12:40:41
Nydam just collected the maximum points at the summit of the 2nd KOM climb at Highway 128. His lead is now 11:10.
12:38:51
We heard from race doctor Dr. Ramin Modabber, who said George Hincapie, who went down hard in year's sprint finish, is fine physically despite an abundance of road rash. Mentally he was a bit down as it was his first road race with his new team High Road. Plus he broke his wrist in stage 6 here last year.
12:35:06
It's still dry and cool here in Sacramento and the crowd is starting to swell in anticipation of the riders' arrival in another couple of hours.
12:32:50
Nydam is about 3 km away from the start of the KOM and the field is in the field zone. His gap is 11:25 while Sundt still has an 8:45 advantage.
12:27:31
For those watching our live broadcast, sorry for the picture break-up, but the weather is playing havoc with our cameras today.
12:25:59
For those watching our live broadcast, sorry for the picture break-up, but the weather is playing havoc with our cameras today.
12:23:36
Nydam is losing more of his lead. He's up 12:50 now. The peloton has clearly lifted the pace.
12:22:23
Great shot of World Champion Paolo Bettini and former World Champion Oscar Freire on our online broadcast now chatting it up as they ride along. Check it out. Frankie Andreu & Joe Silva are your commentators. I'm Rick Scott, your eyes and ears at the 3rd Amgen Tour of California. Thanks for following the race live with us.
12:19:35
CSC has already taken a minute back from Nydam. His advantage is 13:30.
12:16:12
They're approaching the feedzone, which comes at 45.7 miles/73.6 km into the stage. Right after, they'll hit the second KOM climb, a category 4 rise up Highway 128.
12:12:59
As if on cue, CSC assumed the front and is now lifting the tempo in chase of the breakaway riders. Nydam is up 14:30 and Sundt has an 8:45 advantage.
12:03:38
Tomorrow is a big day for the climbers and the GC favorites to show themselves so perhaps the peloton is taking it easy for now with that in mind. At some point, CSC will have to close the gap or risk losing the leader's jersey.
11:56:56
Nydam has a 15 minute advantage. Kelly Benefit's Sundt is riding alone 7:45 ahead of the field.
11:52:37
The peloton continues to give Nydam a longer and longer leash. His advantage is almost 15 minutes.
11:50:35
In addition to a wide array of Amgen Tour of California men's and women's T-shirts, sweatshirts, jerseys and hats that are available now on our online site, there is the official Amgen Tour of California Collector's Bell that is made from recycled spent cartridges from Norwegian Military practice ranges. No lie. We're green here at the Amgen Tour of California. Remember that today there is a special on women's clothing. Get a 20% discount by using today's merchandise code "LADY2008" at checkout.
11:47:07
Nydam is now up 14:05.
11:43:54
12:05 advantage for Nydam and Sundt has 7:30 on the peloton.
11:36:37
Nydam is 50 km into the race and is being chased by Kelly Benefit's Jonathan Sundt, who is still a few minutes behind the BMC rider yet well ahead of the peloton.
11:34:52
The 2nd King of the Mountain comes at the 52-mile/85-km mark. It's the category 4 climb of Highway 128.
11:31:53
The peloton is pedaling along with ease, sitting up to eat lunch and engage in conversation. Quick Step and CSC are manning the front.
11:28:22
Nydam is down in time trial position pedaling away on a solo mission. He's got 9:45 on the peloton.
11:22:41
The rain has abated yet the roads are still wet. The riders are bundled up in jackets and capes so you can't see the golden jersey on the back of Cancellara.
11:18:54
KOM points went to Nydam, Jonathan Sundt (Kelly Benefits), Jackson Stewart, Jens Voigt (CSC) and Alexandre Moos (BMC). Nydam's advantage is approaching 8 minutes.
11:16:17
Yesterday it was BMC's Jackson Stewart on a long break and today his teammate, Scott Nydam, has escaped early. We'll see how long he can hold it. The peloton is finished the descent while Nydam motors along.
11:09:47
Nydam is done descending while the peloton is now making their way down.
11:08:00
The main field is at the 17-mile mark of the 116 they'll cover today. They are about to reach the summit of the Trinity Grade KOM. Nydam is descending carefully on what are slippery roads. It could be ugly when the peloton descends.
11:04:01
Nydam does have the advantage of descending alone on the sinewy, wet decent, which will be treacherous when the main peloton descends.
11:02:15
Nydam is 6:15 ahead of the peloton and two chasers are about 4:30 behind him.
11:01:19
Nydam nears the summit. It sure is ugly weather out there today with fog at the summit. Plenty of fans are at the top to welcome Nydam. He clears the summit and is preparing for a fast decent by putting on his rain cape.
10:56:30
Nydam is certain to collect the maximum KOM points. The peloton is still plodding along with no urgency in their pedaling.
10:49:57
We'd love to hear from you. If you've got comments or questions, you can email me, Rick Scott, or Frankie Andreu and Joe Silva on our live broadcast, at ATOC2008@yahoo.com.
10:44:46
Nydam is about 4 km away from the summit of Trinity Grade as the peloton just enters the climb.
10:42:14
Amgen's Breakaway From Cancer initiative supports those battling the disease as well as funding cancer research. You can make a difference in the lives of others by texting the word "DONTATE" to 222377. It's a $2.00 donation. All entrants will receive discounts valid at the Amgen Tour of California online store. You'll be automatically entered to win daily prizes and a chance to win a 2009 Amgen Tour of California VIP Getaway.
10:37:04
Nydam's advantage is moving up to 4 minutes.
10:34:30
Nydam still off the front solo at the peloton approaches the climb of Trinity Grade.
10:29:47
We're experiencing picture break-up due to weather conditions. Please bare with us.
10:24:59
At the 16.6-mile/26.7-km mark, the riders will hit the first KOM on Trinity Grade, a category 2 climb 3-miles/5-km long. You can watch the race live on our site with expert commentary from Frankie Andreu and "Fantastic" Joe Silva.
10:20:17
BMC's Scott Nydam has ridden off the front alone while the rest of the riders continue riding at a gentle pace, clearly still getting warmed up. Nydam's teammate, Jackson Stewart, took off yesterday at the 17-mile mark on a lone break that he courageously held for over 60 miles.
10:15:07
The official race has begun after the neutral start in Santa Rosa, home of defending Amgen Tour of California champion Levi Leipheimer as well as the King of the Mountains leader Jackson Stewart. Yesterday's stage winner, J.J. Haedo, holds the Herbalife Sprint jersey.
10:07:32
The peloton is bundled up with rain capes, jackets, armwarmers and kneewarmers.
10:04:32
The riders are off on a rolling start. The peloton is being pelted with rain already in Santa Rosa.
09:53:03
We've got lots of hot looking Amgen Tour of California merchandise available this year on our online shop, including jerseys, T-shirts, sweatshirts and hats. Today we've got a special on women's wear. To get a 20% discount, enter today's merchandise code "LADY2008" upon checkout.
09:48:34
Skies are party cloudy with the sun trying to peak out. The air is cool and light rain is expected by the time the riders arrive in Sacramento, which will make the finishing circuits slick and treacherous. George Hincapie hit the deck in the approach to the sprint yesterday and is covered with road rash, but he'll take the start this morning.
09:41:54
Good morning and welcome back to the 2008 Amgen Tour of California. I'm Rick Scott and we're glad you're with us this morning for Stage 2, a 116-mile/187 km trek from Santa Rosa to the state capital of Sacramento. During the stage sponsored by Union Bank, the peloton will face two King of the Mountains climbs and two Herbalife Sprints. CSC's Fabian Cancellara is in the golden fleece, but American Tyler Farrar of Team Slipstream is nipping at his heels, just 2 seconds down. Who will be in gold tonight? Stay with us for live coverage starting at 10 AM PST.
