Ahh, and the universe is unfolding as it should. I was sad and then I was oh, so happy.
I'm not really that mean. I would actually feel sorry for the guy if he hadn't lost it for cheating.
If you have no idea what I'm talking about, read on...
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Stage Six - Santa Barbara to Santa Clarita, 169.6 km
Two intermediate sprints and four KOM climbs out on the course today to give the riders a chance to shake up this race a bit and try to unseat Levi Leipheimer as the race leader. Still not sunny California weather as riders were met with a chilly breeze and more clouds over the road today.
As usual there were lots of attacks right out of the gate. During all the vying for position, Bernard Van Ulden (Jelly Belly) crashed and abandoned. He was taken to the hospital by ambulance.
The peloton chased down each attack attempt and then a flurry of counterattacks would begin. Astana was working hard at the front. No one was napping in the peloton today as the attacks just kept coming – many of them from Slipstream. With three riders in the top ten the argyle team was doing their best to blow apart the Astana squad and isolate Leipheimer to try to have one of their GC men put some time into him.
Jurgen Vandewalle (Quick Step) got top points over the first KOM climb. The second KOM climb followed just a couple of miles later and Christophe Le Mevel (Credit Agricole) took first spot there.
A break of six finally got away just after the second climb and opened up a gap of about one minute. They included: Christophe Le Mevel (Credit Agricole), Steven Cozza (Slipstream), Karsten Kroon (Team CSC), Rory Sutherland (Health Net), David Canada Gracia (Saunier Duval-Scott) and Alexandre Pichot (Bouygues Telecom).
With no real threats to Levi’s GC position up in the break things calmed down a bit as Astana let the break go and relaxed into setting a steady pace and protecting the yellow jersey.
Through the first intermediate sprint the leaders did not contest it since none of them is seriously in the fight for the sprint jersey. They rolled through with David Canada Gracia (Saunier Duval-Scott) first, Rory Sutherland (Health Net) and Steven Cozza (Slipstream) third. Christophe Le Mevel (Credit Agricole) and Rory Sutherland (Health Net) were the first two over the third KOM climb of the day as the temperature dropped a bit and more layers of clothing came out. The gap had now opened to almost seven minutes.
Again at the second and final intermediate sprint the lead group just barreled through together – no fight for those sprint points or time bonuses. These guys just wanted to work together to try to get to the end and be able to fight it out for a stage win.
The final KOM climb of the day was the famous Balcom Canyon climb. A category four climb at 1,027 feet (313m). Crowds lined the roads of this nasty climb as the break away struggled to the top. Canada again took first place over the climb followed by Sutherland and Pichot.
With about 65 km to go Team High Road took an interest in helping Astana to start to bring back the break and the gap came down to 6.15. Rabobank joined the effort and the gap was soon down to 5.30. The sprinters’ teams wanted another shot at a stage win.
The men in the break were noticeably struggling as the peloton continued to steadily reel them in and their time gap diminished quickly. Quick Step had joined the chase and the peloton was stepping on the gas. Leipheimer was tucked safely in behind his Astana boys looking smooth and focused.
With 30 km to go the gap was down to 3.10. The Astana train took a hit though when Vladimir Gusev took a nasty crash and was taken to hospital by ambulance. Gusev has worked so hard to protect Levi during this race - a big loss for the team.
Once the race entered Santa Clarita the riders had three circuits of 3.5 miles each to complete before the finish. The gap was down to 2.30 and they looked tired.
With the gap down to two minutes the sprinters started to move up to the front of the pack. The guys in the break surely could feel Tom Boonen, Freddie Rodriguez, Paolo Bettini and Mark Cavendish breathing down their necks.
Up in the break Steven Cozza appeared to be having a hard time taking less and less time pulling on the front, head drooping. The other riders in the break were talking, likely strategizing as the weak link of Cozza was making it even harder for them to keep the gap open.
Back in the peloton, Hincapie was on the front just drilling it home for High Road setting a brutal pace that was having a clear effect on the rest of the field which was breaking up all over the road. This is the stage where Hincapie broke his wrist last year but he didn’t appear to be thinking about that today.
A touch of wheels among the Rock Racing boys resulted in a crash that took down four out of five-man Rock Racing team. Freddie Rodriguez had a lot of trouble getting up but he managed to get back on the bike and continue on.
With the gap down to 25 seconds the break away group began to split as attacks began. Each one was checked by the others. Surprisingly, Steven Cozza, despite looking the weakest in the group earlier, was doing most of the attacking.
Mark Cavendish (High Road) took a nasty fall but he was back up on the bike quickly.
Suddenly, David Millar took off from the peloton and passed the break away group. Millar was in full time trial mode. Only 49 seconds separated he and Levi on GC with a 10 second time bonus at the finish for first place. Canada and Pichot grabbed Millar’s wheel and the three were off ahead of the rest as a new three-man break away.
Astana came to the front. They could not let Millar get that far ahead. Quick Step was happy to help in order to keep Boonen in contention for the stage win and at 1 km to go all the break away members – including Millar – were caught.
Yesterday’s stage winner and current green jersey holder Dominique Rollin (Toyota United) hit the gas early which caught some of the other sprinters by surprise. Friere (Rabobank) and Cavendish (High Road) reacted but it was Cavendish who got around Rollin and managed to hit the line first.
It seemed as though Cavendish had the win for High Road and he was elated coming over the line. However, shortly afterwards race officials announced that they were giving him a 20 second time penalty for hanging onto a team car when trying to rejoin the peloton after his crash on the final circuits. The stage win instead went to Luciano André Pagliarini Mendonca (Saunier Duval) – a big blow for Cavendish and the High Road team.
Levi came in safely right behind the sprinters keeping the yellow jersey squarely on his back going into the final day of the race tomorrow.
I must admit, when I heard the result, I thought "I can't wait to hear what Sara says about this!"
Posted by: nakigrl | February 23, 2008 at 07:45 PM
have been waiting to see the glee.... and the reason for the penalty. was telling my friend of your fondness for cavendish..
although it looked as if horner was getting some decent hang time while collecting those bottles earlier..
Posted by: ann | February 23, 2008 at 07:47 PM
Can you imagine how PISSED he must be? I bet he threw the hissy fit to end all hissy fits. You know what kind of temper that boy has.
I asked Cathy to keep an eye out for screaming and fill us in later.
It's wrong that I'm this happy, isn't it?
Posted by: Sara Best | February 23, 2008 at 07:52 PM
Cathy actually said that she thought I might have put a hex on him.
I didn't...honest...I can't help it if these things work out this way ;)
Posted by: Sara Best | February 23, 2008 at 08:01 PM
Okay, let's take a poll: who in the IA didn't immediately think of Sara when Cavendish first "won" and then who didn't burst out laughing thinking about Sara's reaction when he "didn't"!!!!
I was at the podium presentation waiting for it to begin when my Blackberry buzzed and Sara's report was ready. (She's fast, that girl, she has been a god-send). We had just been told that the podium was being delayed because the commissaires were meeting on a matter. A buzz went through the group and some photographers were saying they saw him hold onto a car. I texted back to Sara to hold on, maybe he wasn't the winner. Then I was able to tell her he definitely wasn't.....I was so pleased to make Sara's day! Versus had already interviewed him and everything, he'd even dedicated the win to his girlfriend whom he hasn't seen in a month. THEN at the press conference it was buzzing that High Road wanted to know why the UCI bent the rules for Levi last year in Stage One (crash in the circuits) but not for Cavendish today. I yelled out "Because Sara said he's not worthy!!" Only the last part was made up--the rest is the scoop and you've heard it here first! Levi lost Gusev today, broken collarbone, but everyone else is doing well. GO ASTANA!!
Posted by: CMehl | February 23, 2008 at 09:04 PM
I pretty much believe that people 'get what they deserve' in life...though you don't usually get to SEE IT HAPPEN...(every once in a while you actually get to see some asH$#@! GET HIS just deserts, and it brings a smile to your face). Not that I'm saying thats what happened here...it all depends on your perspective I guess...I'm SURE Mr. Cavendish doesn't feel that way! Anyway, such is life.
T...your gearing question from yesterday...to add to Fritz, I push a 53-12 (the 53 is the front "Big Ring) and the 12 is my smallest-high speed gear on the rear cassette). I can get some pretty good speed w/ that, many are going to the 11 tooth now (which was made to go with the new 'compact' gearing that has a smaller big ring..usually 50 teeth...that way you get roughly the same 'top end' high speed gear). Of course, the only time I push my 53-12 is downhill...so when you hear the pros are pushing a 55-11 (and prob on the flats too)...that is indeed a HUGE FREAKIN GEAR! I could only push a gear like that if I went off a cliff I think. Many riders won't ever even use their 53-12 if they have it. And if your cassette is geared for REGULAR JOE climbing (ie: not a cyborg pro) then you might have say a 12-27 cassette gear spread...(or even larger). STANDARD road gearing is a 53-39 up front (big ring/little ring) and maybe a 12-23 (or 25 or 27) on the rear. Thats prob WAY more info than you wanted...but there it is. (oh, and I also like the Rock Racing commercials...they are surely the BAD ASS team...and their kits look pretty BAD too! I like it...kind of stirring up the cycling pot...which can use some good stirring right now if you ask me).
And LindaLoo...I didn't have your personal email or I would have included you on my pics from yesterday. If you have any of the 'regular' "Inmates" email addx, shoot them a message and see if they have mine..and I will get you my pics.
Oh..and I saw yesterdays coverage today..I WAS on for a brief moment..right near the end...as David Millar was just past the half way point, climbing the hill...going thru some s-turns on the climb, and there I was...sitting in my little chair on the left side of the road w/ my tripod (looking in my camera getting his shot)...and a guy in a yellow rain jacket and a guy in a red jacket standing right behind me..and my "Let Levi Ride" road-chalk barely visible for a brief moment as he passed over it...that was my 1.5 seconds of fame apparently (hey..I WANT my remaining 13.5 seconds!) Maybe next year.
And Cathy, hope you had a BLAST riding in the team car for Levi yesterday...you are really rubbing elbows with greatness these days! Just remember the little people!
Posted by: Matt | February 23, 2008 at 09:18 PM
..."I'm not really that mean. I would actually feel sorry for the guy if he hadn't lost it for cheating..."
not mean, just a little naive, ...cheating? come on, he sprinted faster than anybody. you can draft a team car for a little bit trying to get back in, if he had a mechanical from the crash, he can hold on to the car while working on it, give him a break, calling him a cheater is not cool
Posted by: glenn | February 23, 2008 at 10:16 PM
Hi All,
Sara, I normally enjoy reading your posts and the comments about those posts, but I just think you are a little too hard on Mark Cavendish. Yes, he held onto a car today, but so do most of the rest of the peloton, you just don't normally hear about it. Also, it's not like Cavendish didn't put the smack down on the rest of the guys. I get that people think that he is a cocky, young, whippersnapper or whatever, but the fact is that he is fast. Pagliarini can't possibly think that this win is really legit. He got completely schooled in the sprint. I guess I am really tired of hearing about how much of a POS Cavendish is. I know this is your blog, but I would like to enjoy coming back to read your posts. I don't know if I can if I have to read about this constantly. I've heard many on here talk about Floyd as a hero but we know that he is a worthless sack, much worse than Cavendish.
Posted by: Jim | February 24, 2008 at 12:06 AM
Everyone is entitled to have their favorite riders and those of us who are long-time readers of Sara's blog know she doesn't care for the Markster, which is what made the entire thing so damn funny. A true champion needs to ACT like a champion and Cavendish comes off a little too whiney for some of us. I know he's just a youngster but maturing a little would go a long way in bolstering his image, IMO. I saw him at dinner tonight--he wasn't hanging his head so I think he'll survive. And yes, he broke a UCI rule (Mario was also fined and relegated) so another way to phrase that is cheating, especially when one goes on to win the stage. In the press conference Luciano said he likes to win "with his hands up, not this way" so he knows he didn't outsprint MC, but he still got the win. He also said, "I'm happy, but I'm not happy." Live and learn--I bet MC gained some valuable experience today in Santa Clarita.
Posted by: CMehl | February 24, 2008 at 01:13 AM
"I've heard many on here talk about Floyd as a hero but we know that he is a worthless sack"
Uhh, Jim...are you sure you're on the right blog? Just curious...most everybody here is a Floyd believer. (Of course, everybody is entitled to their opinion, but "Floyd is a worthless sack"?) Apparently you believe he cheated. Did you by chance actually READ the minority decision from the Arb hearing last spring? Just curious...anybody who actually believes he cheated please go back and re-read Mr. Campbell's Legal Analysis, specifically section J. ("The Document Package Supplied in Support of an Adverse Analytical Finding Does Not Comport with Known Science.") I mean, Dr. Amory WAS USADA's Go-To-Guy for doping analysis (at least until he VOLUNTEERED to testify for Floyd that the results from LNDD were utter crap and did NOT show that he cheated!) For the Majority decision to not even acknowledge his testimony means they were basically saying one of 2 things: a) Sorry Dr. Amory, you are just plain WRONG as WE (2 of the 3 chosen Arbitrators) know more about your field of expertise than you do; or b) sorry Dr Amory, you must have been lying. To read his testimony and not at least acknowledge a reasonable doubt, and then go ahead and wreck his career is just plain criminal! Why on earth would he, a Medical Doctor, and a Professor at the Univ of Washington, VOLUNTEER to testify FOR Floyd? I'm sure USADA wasn't very pleased by that turn of events, but they apparently had the decision already covered. But now it's in the hands of the CAS (except for the fact that even if they were to find for Floyd, he STILL won't be able to race IN France, as THEY have deemed him guilty no matter WHAT comes of the CAS appeal)...that sounds fair, doesn't it! No political issues there, oh no.
But enough on that...Todays issue: did MC 'cheat' to get back in the Peleton? The VS coverage didn't show any of it, but he (and 4 of the 5 Rock Racing guys) were standing (or lying) around after the crash. We saw Cippo straighten his bars and remount, while MC was still standing around waiting for a new bike...so just how did ANY of those guys get back up to the peleton (considering the BLISTERING pace they were holding with just over 3 miles to go)? There's just no way they did that without help. Cheating? Call it what you want...was it against the rules? (And did he get caught)? Seems so...what would YOU call it? We don't know the extent of it, as it wasn't shown..but it must have been a SIGNIFICANT pull to get them that far back. (The peleton speeding away at over 30mph, he was standing around for a pretty long time, seeming long time)..how fast would he have had to ride without help to get back near the front? And just to set the record straight, I don't actually recall ANYBODY here calling MC a 'POS' (to quote from Sara the other day "I've never claimed that the kid doesn't have talent - he does. It's the cocky attitude from someone who still has a lot of dues to pay that bugs me.") Lots of riders have amazing talent but rub people the wrong way w/ their actions and words. And so far, MC has been falling into that category. The good news is Cathy's report that he "wasn't hanging his head at dinner tonight", so maybe he IS growing up a bit. I'm sure willing to give him the benefit of the doubt...we'll see how things go over the season. A little humility and grace in your wins (and losses) goes a LONG LONG way. Do I think we'll be seeing a lot more of him in times to come? Sure do. Maybe George Hincape can coach him a bit. He can't do much better than that for a role model!
And a final note: It was strange to see Boonen on lead out for another rider...what was THAT all about? I thought HE would be going for the win...seemed a perfect setup for him...must be more there than we know.
Nice post (again) today Sara! So very sad that there is only ONE MORE DAY left in our little race. Then on to Europe.
Posted by: Matt | February 24, 2008 at 02:17 AM
Cathy's right -- I think ALL of us thought immediately of Sara while watching the finish (and epilogue) of today's race :)
OH -- and what Matt said!
Posted by: janann | February 24, 2008 at 02:50 AM
Yes, I immediately thought of Sara! MC doesn't push my buttons like he does some people, but I agree with Matt, when I saw Mario and Mark back up front I wondered where the hell they came from. Mario, has no patience for Mark, did you see the little chat after the finish? But, I didn't read where Mario got penalized too,I'm sure that's because he didn't win the stage. But Mark is a fast little bugger, he just needs to mature, and humble up a bit. George will be a good teacher.
I personally was worried about Freddie. He came back to the states because he was burned out in Europe;IMO, and he goes down in the first big race. I hope he starts today.
Posted by: Theresa | February 24, 2008 at 12:58 PM
OK, where did my comment go???????!!!
Okay, short version....I don't think Mario likes Mark C. much. Did you see the little chat, as Mario rolled by after the finish? I think Mark is the fastest little bugger I've seen since Robbie McEwen. And when I first started watching cycling, I found Robbie very annoying. Now I love him!!!
I was worried about Freddie. I hope he starts today.
Oh, and yes, I am a Floyd Landis lover and supporter...what Matt said!
Posted by: Theresa | February 24, 2008 at 01:06 PM
Damn, there's my first post!!!
I was just thinking of someone last year that got penalized for drafting back to the peleton. The poor guy was stuck behind all the team cars, and I was bummed about it...can't remember who it was....or what race....oh well...
Posted by: Theresa | February 24, 2008 at 01:09 PM
Did you guys see that a female watched the entire Quickstep team shower while waiting to drug test Kevin Hulsmans? Maybe she wanted to get a look at Tom Boonen! Hulsmans wasn't happy about it. http://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2008/feb08/feb24news
Posted by: Danaus | February 24, 2008 at 02:16 PM
Floyd is in the house! I just walked through the expo to get some gifts for the family and turned around almost running right into him. Got a big hug instead. He looks great!
Posted by: CMehl | February 24, 2008 at 03:39 PM
Didn't Levi get docked at the Tour last year for holding on to the team car after a crash as well?
Posted by: Waddy | February 24, 2008 at 04:05 PM
Oh, and not only did I think of Sara when I read about MC, but I also immediately thought of her when I read CN's story about the female inspector watching the Quick Step riders shower. Anybody else have a hunch it was Sara posing as an inspector? C'mon, it's not that much of a stretch?
Posted by: Waddy | February 24, 2008 at 04:08 PM