Awesome Sierra start to the 2010 Amgen Tour of California

The historic gold rush towns of Nevada City, Auburn and Sacramento never looked better as the peleton of the Amgen Tour of California sped by in a blur of cycling jerseys, support vehicles and what seemed like every policeman in California during the first stage of the race.

The cloudy day that had been forecast last week never materialized, replaced by abundant California sunshine and temperatures in the low 80’s—not ideal cycling temperatures, but with a mostly downhill course it wasn’t bad.

Early in the stage four riders peeled away from the peleton and maintained the breakaway with a 5 minute lead until the approach to Sacramento, when the lead dwindled to almost nothing.

Covering 104.2 miles and losing almost 3,000 feet of elevation, this stage favored the sprinters. Mark Cavendish, the well-known sprinter from team HTC-Columbia claimed first stage win in 4 hours, 4 minutes and 60 seconds.

Levi Leipheimer, the three time Tour of California champion, supported by Lance Armstrong, seven time winner of the Tour de France, both of Team Radio Shack, completed the first stage safely in the peleton and were crash-free.

The twisty-turny course, combined with fresh riders with perhaps a bit too much energy, produced a few crashes, two in the last mile or so, with U.S. rider George Hincapie and Belgian Tom Boonen leaving some chunks of skin on the asphalt near the finish. BMC team member Hincapie cracked his helmet. Chris Horner from Team RadioShack also crashed, but was unhurt.

Crowds were copious and enthusiastic in Nevada City, Auburn and Sacramento, but with such a long course it was easy to find unobstructed view of the racers. Parking just a few blocks away from the course was easy, and our crew was able to see the start, jump in the car, race down Highway 49 to Auburn just in time to see the lead cars, followed by the breakaway riders and finally the peleton. After a stroll around downtown Auburn, celebrating in great style with a myriad of activities around the historic gold rush-era buildings, we got on Interstate 80 and cruised easily into downtown Sacramento. A short walk from a side street got us to the Capitol Mall, leaving us plenty of time to peruse the Tour California merchandise and various tents displaying team products.

Two loops of the racers around the capitol provided ample opportunities for snapping photos, and being located near the team support vans we saw the peleton loping in after the finish at slow speeds.

Johan Bruyneel, the winningest Tour de France sports manager with an impressive nine wins and current manager of Team RadioShack, turned out to be the most accessible celebrity, chatting with spectators and allowing photographs at the start of the race in Nevada City, and cruising around the Capitol Mall after the conclusion of the race, talking with kids and laughing jovially.

Tomorrow’s stage from the cycling-crazy town of Davis to Levi Leipheimer’s home town of Santa Rosa will traverse some beautiful terrain, but the cyclists will have to contend with weather as rain is predicted over Northern California.

It’s California’s most prestigious race and if day 1 is any predictor, large crowds will continue to support the elite riders participating in the 2010 Amgen Tour of California with fervor. Tune into Versus for complete television coverage.

Getting There:
Sierra cycling fans who want to get in on the action can see the start of Stage 2 in Davis tomorrow, Monday May 17 at 11:00 AM on ‘C’ Street between 3rd and 4th St. Detailed maps are available from the Amgen Tour of California website.
o From Truckee, take Interstate 80 westbound (stay on 80 through Sacramento)
o Take exit 72B/N. Richards Blvd/Downtown onto Richards Blvd
o Turn right on 1st St
o Continue on G St
o Turn right on 3rd

The race will conclude around 3:00 PM at 3rd St and Santa Rosa Ave in Santa Rosa.
o From Interstate 80 westbound, take exit 33B/Novato/San Rafael onto CA-37 W
o Take ramp onto 101 N toward Santa Rosa/Eureka
o Take exit 489/Downtown Santa Rosa
o Turn right on 3rd St

By Inga Aksamit, Inga’s Adventures