2013 Amgen Tour of CA – Stage Six
Words and Photos by Adam Bendig
Time trials are awesome. Simple fact. Stage races can showcase teamwork, strategy and endurance, but a time trial is balls to the wall supremacy. There’s nobody to pace you, to draft behind or to fetch you a cold bottle of water. You, against the clock, and the other 120 people that will be rolling out of the start house. A riders skill, or lack of skill, in time trialing can often make or break a riders campaign for GC domination.
American TT National Champion Dave Zabriskie, who was a favorite to win the race prior to the Palm Springs stage in which he lost a substantial amount of time, was again a favorite in the San Jose time trial. He cleaned the course with the field in Bakersfield last year, but suffered an untimely and extremely unfortunate crash during a warmup ride this morning that resulted in a broken collarbone. Though difficult to be more disappointed than DZ himself, his legions of fans around the course were disheartened to hear the news.
So it was with some relief that Tejay Van Garderen picked up more than a minute over his closest competitor, Michael Rogers, and brought home a big TT/stage win as an American. Janier Acevedo slipped further away from regaining his gold leaders jersey.
Tomorrow’s stage ending on Mt. Diablo will likely prove to be a pivotal point in the race for either claiming the GC crown or shaking up the field with a surprise upset. Van Garderen has shown consistency and strength in both extremely hot and cool stages, and will be coming into the final extreme climb of the race with the gold leaders jersey (known to bring with it extreme courage and strength) and the thrill of winning the time trial.
Stage Six – Official Results
1. Tejay VAN GARDEREN, BMC Racing, in 48:52
2. Lieuwe WESTRA, Vacansoleil-DCM, at :23
3. Rohan DENNIS, Garmin-Sharp, at :28
4. Michael ROGERS, Saxo-Tinkoff, at 1:05
5. Marco PINOTTI, BMC Racing, at 1:08
6. Cameron MEYER, Orica-GreenEdge, at 1:28
7. Bob JUNGELS, RadioShack-Leopard, at 1:29
8. Leopold KONIG, NetApp-Endura, at 1:43
9. Mathias FRANK, BMC Racing, at 1:46
10. Sylvain CHAVANEL, Omega Pharma-Quick Step, at 1:48
Overall Standings after Stage Six
1. Tejay VAN GARDEREN, BMC Racing, in 22:44:24
2. Michael ROGERS, Saxo-Tinkoff, at 1:47
3. Cameron MEYER, Orica-GreenEdge, at 2:57
4. Mathias FRANK, BMC Racing, at 3:21
5. Javier Alexis ACEVEDO COLLE, Jamis-Hagens Berman, at 3:31
6. Matthew BUSCHE, RadioShack-Leopard, at 3:33
7. Francisco MANCEBO PEREZ, 5-hour Energy-Kenda, at 4:26
8. Philip DEIGNAN, UnitedHealthcare, at 4:52
9. Chad HAGA, Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies, at 5:02
10. Lawson CRADDOCK, Bontrager, at 5:04
Trek rider Julie Dibens warms up before joining the Women’s Invitational Time Trial.
Katie Compton greets friends while warming up in the pits. Katie was included in the Womens Invitational Time Trial held immediately before the main event.
A Bontrager Development Squad representative explains the benefits of their climbers jersey with features carried over from their aero variants.
Champion Systems has enjoyed their first invitation to the Amgen Tour of California.
Saxo Bank – Tinkoff mechanics dial in a TT bike’s drivetrain.
Canadian Rhae Shaw represented team Vanderkitten at the Women’s Invitational Time Trial in San Jose.
Specialized-Lululemon riders warm up with ice vests in their pit. The vests keep the bodies core temperature lower.
Tibco Women’s Pro Cycling team member Lauren Stephens joined the Women’s Invitation Time Trial in San Jose.
A Vanderkitten mechanic builds a cassette for a spare wheelset.
Optum p/b Kelly Benefits Strategies rider Brianna Walle was invited to join the Women’s Time Trial.
Optum p/b Kelly Benefits Strategies rider Jesse Anthony prepares for his time behind the aero bars.
Garmin-Sharp mechanic smiles at friends while dialing in a time trial bike.
Cervelo time trial bikes are well regarded by many as one of the fastest bikes in the peloton.
Fan favorite and US National TT Champ Dave Zabriskie hit the deck and broke his collarbone while warming up this morning.
Champion Systems rider Kin San Wu warms up in his team pit.
A Jamis Sutter Home rider speeds along the race route.
The view the riders enjoyed around the San Jose time trial course left little to be desired.
Wide open and smooth roads contribute to an exciting and safe time trial.
Oak trees lined the time trial course in San Jose.
Irish National Road Champion, Matt Brammeier of Champion Systems sets a brisk pace on the opening straightaway.
Jesse Anthony of Optum p/b KBS powers under the canopy created by large oak trees along the race route.
Giro’s mirrored aero helmet lens shows us this Bontrager Development Squads view of the race course.
Tyler Farrar shares a smile with young fans on the first climb of the day.
Stage 5 winner and Most Courageous jersey winner Jens Voigt is a strong time trialist.
BMC’s Time Machine frames and sleek kits stand out on the course.
Tejay Van Garderen set the days fastest pace and increased his hold over the other GC contenders.
