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Leipheimer breathes easier in California
Levi Leipheimer has proven immune to all the pressures, dangers, fatigue and sickness of the 2008 Amgen Tour of California. With one final stage left, it seems all but certain that Astana will defend Leipheimer’s overall lead into Pasadena and the record books. Only 91 of the original starting 132 riders made it to the finish line in Santa Clarita. A stomach virus has taken out more than a dozen riders, while crashes, fatigue, hypothermia and other factors have removed players from what has been the toughest-ever Tour of California.
American Mattis takes World Cup opener
American Katheryn Mattis (Webcor Builders) outsprinted Australia's Emma Rickards (Cervelo Lifeforce) to claim victory in the opening round of the UCI Women's Road Cycling World Cup series Sunday in Geelong, Australia. The pace was high from the gun with 12 riders breaking away early. But Team High Road powered the chase on the front of the peloton and the break were reeled in on the fourth lap. Cervelo Lifeforce riders then launched a series of attacks with Rickards finally breaking clear followed close behind by Mattis.
Amgen Tour Stage 6 Fred Rodriguez Team Rock CRASH
Amgen Tour Stage 6 Fred Rodriguez Team Rock CRASH
Tour of California Stage 6 Live Updates
- 10:49 AM: Good day ...and welcome to our live coverage of stage 6 of the 2008 Tour of California. Today's stage covers 105 miles from Santa Barbara to Santa Clarita.
Keep in mind this was one of the toughest stages in the 2007 Tour, with CSC launching attacks, forcing race leader Levi Leipheimer and his Discovery team to chase.
Pagliarini is the new winner as Cavendish is relegated; Levi still in control
The tears in Mark Cavendish's eyes at the podium presentation for stage 6 of the Amgen Tour of California on Saturday were not from joy, but frustration. While the 22-year old High Road rider won the bunch kick in downtown Santa Clarita after the 105.4-mile journey from Santa Barbara, shortly before the ceremony race officials told the Brit he had been relegated to last place. His foul? Hanging onto a team car a few miles from the finish, while his bike was being fixed after a crash. [nid:72746]
Sinkewitz may face jail time, paper reports
German cyclist Patrik Sinkewitz, suspended for a year after a positive drugs test last June, could face a prison sentence if he persists in concealing the names of others guilty of doping offenses. A report in Monday's edition of Der Spiegel, quoting sources close to the case, say German criminal investigators looking into the allegations of improper doping practices at the private University Clinic Freiburg are starting to "lose patience with Sinkewitz.”
Leipheimer ready to defend at TOC
Barring disaster, Astana's Levi Leipheimer appears to have a lock on the overall 2008 Amgen Tour of California's winner's jersey.