California Tour Riders Keep On Keeping On

by clorenz1 | February 21, 2007 at 11:23 am

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It was a photo finish yesterday in Sacramento, as Juan Haedo sprinted to a stage 2 victory. Today's re-cap looks at the people behind the riders, the big dinner last night, and more on the Argentinian winner.

By the way he barreled through the back roads of Marin and Sonoma counties during Stage 1, Tom Schuler could moonlight as a New York cabbie or a NASCAR driver. Schuler is one of American racing's pioneers and directeur sportif of the Colavita/Sutter Home team. And he invited a reporter and photographer to join him for the day to get a raw, uncut view of what happens behind the scenes during a major bike race. While the focus is on the skinny-legged cyclists in Lycra, much more goes into it than pedaling fast.

There are massage therapists and mechanics. There are directors such as Schuler, who are equal parts quarterback, coach and chauffeur.

Sometimes there's even a dominatrix.

A big dinner awaited Amgen Tour of California cyclists on Tuesday at the end of the second stage.

Riders brought a big appetite after completing a 115-mile trip from Santa Rosa to Sacramento.

The gala dinner provided fuel for 140 cyclists preparing for the third stage on Wednesday.

Haedo, who won two stages of the race last year in its inaugural edition, completed the 115.8-mile Santa Rosa to Sacramento road race in 4 hours, 40 minutes and 39 seconds.

Luca Paolini (Liquigas) of Italy was second in the stage, and Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole) of Norway was third — both in the same time as the winner.