The Tour of California Gets Steep

It was poetry in motion out there in Stage 3 of the Amgen Tour of California, like a ragged stream of consciousness.

Hills, . . . hills-hills mark the stage most crucial to date, elevation profile like an EKG.

Under the merciless stare of giant windmills stoic, 17 riders breaking away BEWARE! the false summit of Patterson Pass, Van de Walle caught out as Peterson's debt to William Frischkorn grows. Over the top jersey stuffing newspapers, protection against the windy descent.

Cycling enthusiasts got their chance to see some of the best and brightest in the sport Wednesday — even if it was just for a couple of seconds as they whizzed by — as the Amgen Tour of California sped from Stockton to San Jose.

"This is great," said Carlos Davila of Fairfield, as he waited at the intersection of Concannon Boulevard and Holmes Avenue in Livermore to watch the riders buzz by. He was one of a couple hundred fans gathered at that spot. "There's a lot of fan support, too. This is wonderful for cycling and California."

The favorites of the Amgen Tour of California got serious Wednesday, showcasing their talents during the 94.6-mile Stage 3 that ended with a sprint victory by Jens Voigt in downtown San Jose.

Voigt, the 2006 winner of the Tour of Germany, went pedal to pedal with overall leader Levi Leipheimer of Santa Rosa, blitzing the American in a final burst past City Hall to win in 3 hours, 43 minutes, 44 seconds.