Tour Of California - Stage 2
Well CSC and Amgen both did a much better job of keeping the GPS data up and online yesterday. The live video was very cool, though it dropped in and out a bit. The break was a bit hard to cover via the web due to some weird GPS positions, but the lead car made it’s location close enough to keep it “close to real”.
JJ’s sprint was AMAZING. To put 4 to 5 bikes on Thor H is IMPRESSIVE. When you beat a TDF Green Jersey Winner (who has open road in front of him) by that much it is impressive. Nice to see Staurt OGrady on the lead out too. CSC is just hard to beat when they are right.
Levi’s one second lead has lasted longer then I thought it would. I figured a sprinter would get the gold jersey for at least a day due to sprint time bonuses by now. Overall I think a Discovery Team rider wins the Tour (either Levi or George H), but there are a few others that could contend. I think Discovery, looking for a new title sponsor, is motivated to win on US soil this year.
Speaking of sponsors.
1) I think AT & T would be the perfect fit to step in for Discovery and since AT & T / Cingular have international impact it works for them. It makes much better sense the USPS or Discovery Channel in the end when you think about it.
2) I looked up Chipotle (co sponser of Team Slipstream) and found I have to go to GA or NC to try them out. Maybe when I am Georgia for the Tour De Georgia I can spill down to the ATL for a quick meal.
3) I called ADT (who provides me with home security) and thanked them for sponsoring the Tour Of California. I believe in encouraging and promoting companies that promote things you like and enjoy.
Today (Stage 3) I think the hills / climbs will break the pack up a bit more and that should lead to some real moves in the GC. If Levi keeps the golden jersey today he will be hard to beat overall. Last year this was the day that broke him. He is on a stronger team now, and he looks stronger, but today will test both of those assumptions.
Team Slipstream is definitely a surprise to me. One rider doing well is a fluke, but they seem to be putting someone in the right place in the right breaks and running with the big teams. Nice stuff for team with a limited European schedule. I want Bob Roll to do a interview with Johnathan Vaughters (1 and 2)where I can here more about Slipstream.
