Tony Martin wins TT in Downtown LA, Rogers Holds Lead into Final Stage
5/22/10 - Enthusiastic fans lined up along the streets of downtown Los Angeles to welcome world-class cyclists from 16 professional teams for Stage 7 of the Amgen Tour of California, which consisted of two laps around a 10.5-mile course for the individual time trial.
After completing the longest day of the race yesterday, the riders were faced with a course that was filled with several of the city’s most recognizable landmarks, including Walt Disney Concert Hall, the University of Southern California, the LA Coliseum and STAPLES Center. In a race against the clock, Tony Martin (GBR) of HTC-Columbia emerged victorious with a time of 41 minutes and 41 seconds. Finishing in second place, three-time individual time trial world champion Michael Rogers (AUS) also of HTC-Columbia, will retain the Amgen Leader Jersey heading into the final stage of the race.
Tony Martin (HTC-Columbia) put in the fastest time of the day with a time
of 41:41 in front of a huge crowd in downtown LA.
photo © Danny Munson
“I think taking the Amgen Leader Jersey tomorrow would be the biggest win of my career, in terms of a stage race,” said Rogers. “This would be a highlight for me. There’s a huge emphasis on this race and I think it would be a dream come true, not only for me, but for the whole team in general.”
Moving into second place was five-time and current U.S. National Time Trial Champion David Zabriskie (USA) of Garmin-Transitions. And the most anticipated rider of the day, three-time defending champion Levi Leipheimer (USA) of Team RadioShack came in fourth today with a time of 42 minutes and 14 seconds, which put him in third place overall going into tomorrow’s stage.
3-time ATOC winner Levi Leipheimer finished in 4th place.
photo © Danny Munson
With the start and finish lines located only one block apart, the individual time trial provided fans with an ideal opportunity to watch riders both start and finish the race. In a challenging test for the riders on a decisive day cycling, the second half of the circuit included two short, but steep climbs.
This ‘race of truth,’ came down to an all out fight for the win between the last five riders, the top-5 in the GC after yesterday’s trying mountain stage, which included Rory Sutherland (AUS) of UnitedHealthcare Presented by Maxxis, Leipheimer, Peter Sagan (SVK) of Liquigas-Doimo, Zabriskie and Rogers, but ultimately no one could beat Martin’s time.
US National TT Champion Zabriskie posted a fast time that moved him into 2nd GC.
photo © Danny Munson
“I’d never been to Los Angeles before, so to race here in such a big city was really spectacular,” said Martin. “It was very good to race here and the road was perfect.”
Stage 7 brought only two changes to the jersey leaders. Martin was awarded Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer® Most Courageous Rider Jersey. Thomas Rabou (NED) of Team Type 1 re-claimed the California Travel & Tourism King of the Mountains (KOM) Jersey. Rogers will retain the Amgen Race Leader Jersey, and Sagan the Herbalife Sprint Jersey and the Rabobank Best Young Rider Jersey.
Race leader and former TT Champion Mick Rogers rode to a second place TT finish in LA.
photo © Mitch Clinton / www.clintonphoto.com
“With seven days of exhilarating racing behind us, we are looking forward to watching the finale of the 2010 Amgen Tour of California unfold tomorrow,” said Andrew Messick, president of AEG Sports. “The level of competition shown throughout the race has been very exciting to witness. These riders have put their all into competing for the GC to claim the Amgen Leader Jersey and everyone is looking forward to watching the final battle unfold tomorrow.”
Tony Martin topped the podium with the fastest time trial time, followed by race
leader Mick Rogers (left) and US National Time Trial Champion Dave Zabriskie in 3rd (right).
photo © Mitch Clinton / www.clintonphoto.com
The world-class field of riders competing for the overall win will make for a very thrilling conclusion to the most important professional cycling race in the United States.”
