05.20-Tour of California: Stage 5
The attacks and responses zig zag across the road, requiring attentive riding... then, a crash...
The peloton has sat up as word comes up that several team leaders have been involved. Levi is here...
As were Popovych and McCartney for RadioShack
Stuey O'Grady is at the Quick Step Team car - he'll abandon the race with a broken collarbone...
Rubiera is at the car, and Bruyneel does not look happy... Is Chechu heading back to shepherd someone up?
No, he's been involved as well...
Daniel Holloway of Bissell gets attention from the race doctor... with the next customer queued up.
It is Lance who's waiting his turn... his face and position on the bike speak volumes.
A short convo with medical, and he tries to stay in the race...
But the laceration on his face and hematoma on his left elbow will cause him to abandon 21 km after the crash.
Team RadioShack has come to the fore as the peloton begins the Old Stage road climb.
Zabriskie seems to be feeling the heat.
While Levi seems to be cool and improving in form as the week progresses.
With Zabriskie and Leipheimer tucked near the front of the peloton...
...several teams have moved to the front to help bring back the break.
As they arrive on the finishing circuits for the first time, the remaining escapees still have hopes of staying away.
...but the peloton seems confident.
The hills on the circuit have shattered any organization - Sagan of Liquigas has taken the day while Rogers and Zabriskie take second and third.
This twenty year old has put on some kind of performance this week - already holding the young riders' jersey...
The points (and critical seconds) picked up out on the road today along with his second place finish have tied Mick with Zabriskie, but the HTC Columbia rider has won the tie break and the gold jersey!
