05.23-Tour of California: Stage 8

< Previous Stage 8: Thousand Oaks/Westlake Village/Agoura Hills Circuit Race, 134.3 km

As expected, the attacks started early, with Cervelo animating things from the off...
AToC stage 8
The next attack came from Kelly Benefits and Jelly Belly - trying to gets some glory for their American sponsors, but to no avail...
AToC stage 8
Cancellara helped bring that attack back, and continued to keep the pressure on as they began the first of four trips up "Rock Store" climb.
AToC stage 8
Rollin was the next to go from Cervelo, would this one stick?
AToC stage 8
Now Robbie Hunter gives it a go one the early stages of the climb.
AToC stage 8
but soon the peloton is back together and Popopvych is now setting the pace.
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Rollin and Zajicek are now trying to get away, but not on a penny farthing...
AToC stage 8
Rollin and Zajicek have a few seconds on the pack as they take the hairpin on Mullholand Highway, the "Rock Store" climb...
AToC stage 8
The two escapees were abosorbed near the top of the KOM - now Rogers sits comfortably in a lead pack that has grown to about 45 riders on the descent...
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Hincapie as well has made this early selection. The course has broken the peloton into three groups.
AToC stage 8
The Garmin marching orders on the day were to go hard and to take it to the peloton.
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Pujols and Rabou have attacked on the steep part of the climb... the Americans are trying to rival the tifosi it seems...
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The peloton chases on the technical descent.
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In the third group, the riders seem pretty relaxed. Almost half the field will abandon or not make the time cut today on this brutal final stage.
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Zabriskie is also in the lead group, working out how he can gain valuable seconds on his rivals.
AToC stage 8
Rogers looks unbeatable...
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Can Levi pull a winning move out of his hat?
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A break of seven has emerged, including Rabou, Hincapie, and Popovych, among others... the Pope runs along to bless the move.
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The peloton climbs Mullholland Highway in pursuit - all the GC leaders are in this group.
AToC Helicopter PELOTON SCENERY climb stage 8
Rogers climbing smoothly, marked my Levi as he tries to work out a winning starategy.
AToC stage 8
George seems to be the focus of the break today, after his performace came up short on the Queen stage to Big Bear Lake, is today to be his day?
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On the final trip up the climb, the seven have been reduced to three; Cervelo's Pujol is hoping to keep the break away as they near the KOM, but attacks from the back will bring two others up to this group...
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Ryder Hesjdal has won the day, easily coming around Horner's early move for the line.
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Michael Rogers raises his fist as he crosses the line. He secured his victory by staying with Zabriskie and Leipheimer today.
AToC Garmin Slipstream HTC COLUMBIA LEIPHEIMER Overall Winner ROGERS RadioShack ZABRISKIE stage 8
Ryder seems happy with his last day's efforts.
AToC stage 8
The final jersey winners: King of the Mountains Rabou of Team Type 1; Overall Winner Michael Rogers of HTC Columbia; Points and Young Rider Sagan of Liquigas; and the stage 8 Breakaway from Cancer Most Courageous Rider - Popovych of RadioShack.
AToC HTC COLUMBIA Liquigas Popovych ROGERS Rabou RadioShack Sagan Team Type 1 stage 8
The overall GC podium - Dave Z seems to be coaching the others on where to send the champagne....
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The sweet spray of success!
AToC stage 8
Michael Rogers - winner of the 2010 Amgen Tour of California!
AToC stage 8