Tour of California (2012) Photos May 13 - 20

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Tom Boonen signs-in for his first race since winning Tour of Flanders over a month ago	Local boy Levi Leipheimer was clearly the crowd favorite	Levi Leipheimer getting focused for his first race since breaking his leg prior to Tour of the Basque Country
The rollout from Santa Rosa	The peloton passing Sonoma County vineyeards	The main break of the day was allowed a gap
RadioShack-Nissan's Ben King at the front of the peloton	George Hincapie (BMC) warned his teammates of some of the technical roads up ahead	Levi Leipheimer went to the front of the peloton at points... like a tour guide
Jens Voigt and Tom Boonen	The break returning from the first of two separate Santa Rosa circuits	The peloton on scenic Highway 1, the Sonoma county coastal road
Liquigas at the front of the chase along Hwy 1	Liquigas' Timothy Duggan at the front of the chase helping to bring down the gap	The peloton turning back inland on Colemen Valley Rd
The peloton climbing Colemen Valley Rd	Ben Jacques-Maynes (Bissell) at the front of the break before it was reeled in	The sprint finish in Santa Rosa with Peter Sagan and teammate Daniel Oss celebrating early
After flatting with 8 km to go, Peter Sagan (Liquigas-Cannondale) rejoined the peloton and then won the sprint finish ahead of Heinrich Haussler (Garmin-Barracuda) in Santa Rosa	... and Fred Rodriguez (Exergy), right, was third	Your Stage 1 winner and first wearer of the golden race leader's jersey, Peter Sagan (Liquigas-Cannondale)
The jersey leaders after the first day...	Spidertech's David Boily (Can) looks happier to have taken maximum points on the climbs and the KOM jersey than stage winner Peter Sagan (Liquigas)

Stage 2:  San Francisco → Santa Cruz County, 117 mi  Full Results and Report

Spidertech's David Boily in the KOM Jersey on his way to sign-in	George Hincapie signing-in	Race leader, Peter Sagan (Liquigas-Cannondate), on his way to signing in
Levi Leipheimer signing a race leader's jersey with Alcatraz Island in the background	The start line in San Francisco as Peter Sagan ponders the thought of another stage win	Local boy (Ben Jacques-Maynes) and jersey leader call up
The rollout from Marina Green onto Marina Bl in San Francisco	A good size crowd	The peloton rolling by the Golden Gate Bridge under overcast conditions on their way to the coast
A large part of the stage 2 course headed south down the coast on famous Hwy 1; Liquigas-Cannondale at the front of the chase near Montara	The unsuccessful break on the first KOM of the day, the cat 1 Empire Grade with 65 km to go	The peloton on Empire Grade
Empire Grade	The peloton sprinting through the final corner in Aptos (Santa Cruz) led by Peter Sagan (Liquigas-Cannondale)	Peter Sagan (Liquigas-Cannondale) distancing the field
Peter Sagan (Liquigas-Cannondale) checking his lead before throwing up an early victory salute...	Although he had mechanical problems prior to the finish again today, Peter Sagan (Liquigas-Cannondale) easily handled the final corner and the dash for the line into Aptos (Santa Cruz) giving him the first two stage wins of this year's Tour of California.	A big crowd was on hand to watch the sport's biggest rising star, 22 year-old Peter Sagan, take out his second win. Once again Heinrich Haussler (Garmin-Barracuda) was 2nd
	Your stage 2 winner, Peter Sagan (Liquigas-Cannondale)	As typically accorded the winner of a Santa Cruz stage, Peter Sagan (Liquigas-Cannondale) was rewarded with a custom surfboard
The stage 2 podium: 3rd Leigh Howard (Orica-GreenEdge), 1st Peter Sagan (Liquigas-Cannondale), 2nd Heinrich Haussler (Garmin-Barracuda)	The jersey leaders

Stage 3:  San Jose → Livermore, 115 mi  Full Results and Report

The early break getting started on Calaveras Rd. (Cat 4) right after the start in San Jose	The break consisted of Mike Friedman (Optum Pro Cycling), Pat McCarty (Spidertech), Wilson Alexander Marentes Torres (Colombia-Coldeportes) and Jeremy Vennell (Bissell)	The peloton on Calaveras Rd
Calaveras Rd panoramic	Liquigas at the front keeping the gap in check for race leader Peter Sagan	The break near Livermore
The peloton near Livermore	Feed zone before the Mt Diablo climb	Liquigas and the peloton passing through Danville
The peloton starting the cat 2 Mt Diablo climb	The peloton climbing the south side of Mt Diablo up to the Ranger station. Locals will know that the Ranger Station is only roughly half way to the summit.	The peloton on its way to Patterson Pass near Tracy
The police warned the race about this on Stage 1, but when you gotta go, you gotta go!	With the race now back together, Omega Pharma QuickStep drove the pace to the base of Patterson Pass to dissuade an attack	Garmin-Barracuda then went to the front
Needless to say, it can be windy here, but it wasn't too bad today		A panoramic of the cat 3 Patterson Pass from 2005. If you want to see how steephill got started with race coverage then check out our 2005 Patterson Pass RR photo report (local norcal racing)
Fabio Duarte (Colombia-Coldeportes) attacked on Patterson Pass and Nicolas Roche (AG2R-La Mondiale) joined him. They crested Patterson Pass with a 25s lead, but there was still 15 miles to go	The peloton climbing Patterson Pass	After a stage with a lot of climbing we have another sprint finish; the full-flight sprint finish from today's Stage 3 in Livermore
The bike-throw finish was a blur to the Reuter's photographer. For the third straight day, Heinrich Haussler (Garmin-Barracuda, right) was 2nd	The photo finish... photo	It isn't just a hat-trick, it's a natural hat-trick. Peter Sagan (Liquigas-Canondale) has won the first three stages (so far). That's Alex Candelario, (Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies), today's best domestic rider finishing 4th to Sagan's right.
Is there anything this guy can't do on a bike?	Your stage 3 podium, 3rd Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma-Quickstep), 1st Peter Sagan (Liquigas-Cannondale), 2nd Heinrich Haussler (Garmin - Barracuda)	You'd think by now Peter Sagan wouldn't need any assistance putting on the race leader's jersey

Stage 4:  Sonora → Clovis, 130 mi  Full Results and Report

The rollout from Sonora	103421-_DSC_8963 copy.jpg	104015-_DSC4955 copy.jpg
Hwy 49 cat 4 KOM	Alex Howes (Garmin - Barracuda) at the front getting a break started
Ben King (RadioShack-Nissan)	Chris Horner (RadioShack-Nissan) and George Hincapie (BMC)	Heinrich Haussler (Garmin-Barracuda)
The stage featured a lot of climbing in the first 90 miles before the 40 mile descent and flat run into Clovis	RadioShack-Nissan leading the chase	Robbie McEwen (Orica-GreenEdge) and Marcel Kittel (Argos-Shimano) at the back of the race. McEwen finished 106th + 38:58 and Kittel finished 117th (second last) + 49:17
	The break about to be caught near Oakhurst	Despite a lot of the climbing, the race came back together for the run into Clovis
The sprint finish in full-flight	It's Peter Sagan (Liquigas-Cannondale) leading the dash for the line for the 4th straight day	As @dwuori tweeted, "SAGAIN". What would we be saying about Heinrich Haussler (Garmin-Barracuda), 2nd again today, if Peter Sagan wasn't racing this week. 3rd was Michael Matthews (Rabobank) and 4th was Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma QuickStep).
The stage 4 podium: 2nd Heinrich Haussler (Garmin-Barracuda), 1st Peter Sagan (Liquigas-Cannondale) and 3rd Michael Matthews (Rabobank)

Stage 5:  Bakersfield 18.4 mi TT  Full Results and Report

Dave Zabriskie (Garmin-Barracuda) overcame the heat and wind to post one of his best time trial performances beating 2nd place Jens Voigt by 23s in a time of 35:59 for the 18.4 km TT. He's now the overall leader	Dave Zabriskie videotaped this course and knew it perfectly; Captain TT America was dialed in today	Shut up legs! Jens Voigt (RadioShack-Nissan) posted the best time before Zabriskie beat it. 2nd + 23s.
Tejay Van Garderen (BMC Racing) was 3rd + 34s. He caught Chris Horner at the halfway point.	8th Luke Durbridge (Orica-GreenEdge) + 1:01	George Hincapie (BMC Racing) needs a drink real bad. 13th + 1:30.
16th Luis Leon Sanchez (Rabobank) + 1:40	The race of truth told us the truth about Levi's recovery from a broken leg. Levi Leipheimer (Omega Pharma-Quickstep) was 17th + 1:44	25th Heinrich Haussler (Garmin - Barracuda) + 2:07
A disappointing ride by Chris Horner, 42th + 2:50. The defending champion will really need to light it up in the mountains now.	Peter Sagan (Liquigas) lost the race lead today, but he acknowledged that he enjoyed his time in the Gold Jersey over the first four days by waving to the crowd as he crossed the finish. 52nd +3:27.	Your stage 5 Bakersfield ITT podium: 1st David Zabriskie (USA) Garmin - Barracuda 18.4 miles in 35:59, 3rd Tejay Van Garderen (USA) BMC Racing Team + 0:34, 2nd Jens Voigt (Ger) RadioShack-Nissan + 0:23
Today's stage winner is now the race leader; Dave Zabriskie dons the Gold Jersey with a 34s overall lead	Kristin Armstrong (Exergy TWENTY12) easily won the Women's 18.4 km /29.4 km ITT in 39:59	Alison Powers (NOW and Novartis for MS) was 2nd but well off the winning time + 1:25
3rd Jade Wilcoxson (Optum Pro Cycling p/b Kelly Benefits Strategies) + 1:58	The Women's TT podium

Stage 6:  Palmdale → Big Bear Lake, 116 mi  Full Results and Report

Jens Voigt (RadioShack-Nissan) at the morning sign-in in Palmdale	In case you don't know, Robbie McEwen (GreenEdge) will be retiring at the end of the Tour of California. He sure picked a tough way to go out.	Today's main break: Sebastian Salas and teammate Andrew Bajadali (Optum Pro Cycling p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies), David Boily (Spidertech-C10), Yukihiro Doi (Argos-Shimano) and Sylvain Georges (AG2R La Mondiale), Gregory Rast (RadioShack-Nissan), Jeremy Vennell (Bissell Cycling).
Train passing over the peloton. With the break up the road, Garmin-Barracuda drove the chase near Lone Pine Canyon at the midpoint of the race	The peloton, led by Garmin-Barracuda, climbing to Big Bear Lake	Sylvain Georges (AG2R La Mondiale) was the last man in a seven man breakaway with 48km to go
It is always great to see a break succeed... especially a long solo one. Sylvain Georges (AG2R La Mondiale) blowing kisses with the peloton in the background		France's Sylvain Georges (AG2R La Mondiale) hangs for an epic, solo win at Big Bear Lake after being the lone survivor of a break that started just 1.5 km in on this 186 km mountainous stage
It's been a pretty dry season for AG2R La Mondiale so today's win was extra sweet	Needless to say, Sylvain Georges drew the attention of the media at the finish	Sylvain Georges emphatically reacts on the stage 6 podium. It was a big win for his young career and his AG2R La Mondiale team whose only other win this year came earlier in the day back in France.
The stage winner's podium in front of a good crowd at Big Bear Lake	Your Stage 6 podium: Peter Sagan (Liquigas-Cannondale) won the field sprint for 2nd, 1st Sylvain Georges (AG2R La Mondiale), 3rd Peter Velits (OPQS) who collected a few bonus seconds which might come in handy for the GC battle.	Close-up of the beautiful Big Bear Lake winner's trophy. It was too big for one person to easily lift.
Dave Zabriskie (Garmin-Barracuda) will take the Gold Jersey into the Queen Stage that finishes on Mt Baldy

Stage 7:  Ontario → Mt. Baldy, 78 mi  Full Results and Report

The start area in Ontario	Chris Horner and others relaxing during the delayed start as a result of an accident out on the course	Once the race got started, there an immediate attack by RadioShack-Nissan
Garmin-Barracuda leading the chase	Chris Horner leading the break on the Wrightwood KOM at km 70 in his all out bid to make up a lot of time and possibly win the overall	Wrightwood KOM at km 70
Jens Voigt now driving the pace	Race leader Dave Zabriskie	Peter Sagan
Dave Zabriskie and Garmin-Barracuda	On Mt Baldy, the break was down to just Chris Horner (RadioShack-Nisssan) and Jhon Atapuma (Colombia-Coldeportes)	The chasing peloton on Mt Baldy
Chris Horner (RadioShack-Nisssan) clawing back onto the wheel of Jhon Atapuma (Colombia-Coldeportes)	Jhon Atapuma (Colombia-Coldeportes) finally dropped Chris Horner (blurry in the background) instead 5 km to go when it got really steep	Robert Gesink (Rabobank) attacked out of the peloton and caught Chris Horner
Robert Gesink (Rabobank) wins Stage 7	Robert Gesink (Rabobank) wins the Queen Stage on Mt Baldy ahead of John Atapuma (Colombia-Coldeportes), dropping his head on the right. Atapuma was part of the early break with Chris Horner. Gesink's win was decisive enough over the GC contenders that he's now first overall heading into the final (ceremonial) stage	Dave Zabriskie finished 11th + 1:25 and lost the gold leader's jersey. He'll likely finished 2nd overall for the third time.
Your stage 7 winner and new race leader, Robert Gesink (Rabobank)	Robert Gesink standing tall on the podium next to Colombia - Coldeportes teammates John Atapuma (2nd) and 3rd Fabio Duarte (Col) Colombia - Coldeportes

Stage 8:  Beverly Hills → Los Angeles, 44 mi  Full Results and Report

Peter Sagan and his Liquigas teammates enjoying an expresso prior to the start in Beverly Hills	George Hincapie (BMC Racing)	Robbie McEwen, who raced for the last time today, and Miss California
The rollout from Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills for a short 44 mi stage		From one generation to the next. Robbie McEwen possibly passing along some words of advance to Peter Sagan.
The break		Circuits in Los Angeles
Rabobank at the front protecting their race leader Robert Gesink	The break	Passing through the finish area on the Los Angeles finishing circuits
	The peloton bearing down on the chase	The final moments for the break
The sprint finish in full flight	Despite an excellent Omega Pharma QuickStep leadout by Gerald Ciolek for Tom Boonen (right), Peter Sagan (Liquigas-Cannondale) still won his 5th stage of 8 this week.	Robert Gesink and his Rabobank teammates celebrate the overall win
Peter Sagan celebrates another win with another wheelie	The jersey winners	Your 2012 overall podium with Dave Zabriskie 2nd for the third at this event...
... 2nd David Zabriskie (Garmin-Barracuda) + 46s, 1st Robert Gesink (Rabobank) 29:14:52, 3rd Tom Danielson (Garmin-Barracuda) + 54s	Time to cut loose	Your stage 8 winner Peter Sagan (Liquigas) receiving the attention he deserves after chalking up his fifth win this week while Tom Boonen (2nd today and on stage 4) looks on
Robbie McEwen received a special award to celebrate the end to his distinguished racing career	The special award for Robbie McEwen with all the teams he raced for and their nation's flags.