The two riders’ teammates pushed the pace so hard up the several climbs of Stage Seven that none of the other General Classification contenders had the strength to launch an attack.
Garmin-Cervelo’s’s Ryder Hesjadal and Christian Vande Velde joined an early break which disintegrated on the final climb up Mount Baldy; their teammate Tom Danielson cracked the final climb but made a strong comeback to finish fourth, a minute out; Leopard-Trek’s Andy Schleck couldn’t keep the pace in the final few kilometers; United Healthcare’s Rory Sutherland also cracked on the climb and finished well back.
The pace set by the RadioShack team broke every rider except two: Levi Leipheimer and Chris Horner, who rode away easily after their last teammate, Matthew Busche, dropped aside. Neither Leipheimer nor Horner every looked to be in the slightest trouble.
Leipheimer, who led through the final kilometers with Horner right on his wheel, had high praise for the members of his team.
“Haimar [Zubeldia] Markel [Irizar,], JMac [Jason McCartney,] they they’ve been solid all week, but today, Ben King and Matthew Busche were extraordinary—it was great to see’” Leipheimer told Versus reporter Bob Roll after the race..
“We had a great team meeting on the bus right beforehand.It was very calm; we said, 'Listen we’ve got to relax just stick together we’re not going to jump we’re just going to accelerate slowly, pay attention; just Zen.'
Leipheimer went on to praise the local cycling fans for supporting the stage so strongly.
“I want to thank all the fans for coming out today to Mount Baldy. The course was spectacular, Glendora Mountain Road then Mount Baldy, with the switchbacks and all the fans—it felt like the Tour de France.
“I hope this becomes a staple in the Amgen Tour of California. I think it will become an iconic stage and be a great battle every year.”
This pair were by far the strongest in the field this day, and they will be rewarded with the top two steps of the podium Sunday.
Next: GC Contenders Form a Break
