Rolling Sonoma County roads, two close sprint finishes taken by two superb sprinters, and a rainbow clad ‘doing what the hell I like’ ride of day… Amgen Tour of California really turned it on for the penultimate stage.
Tour of California, Stage 7, Santa Rosa to Santa Rosa, 175.5km
Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) got his stage victory. Etixx-Quickstep’s Julian Alaphilippe still holds the leader’s jersey by 16secs despite BMC throwing everything but the kitchen sink at him. The ride of the day, however, belongs to that man Peter Sagan (Tinkoff). In a nutshell: jumps into the break, solos off on his own, waits for the chase as they head for the sprint finish, pushes Kristoff close for the win. Exceptional doesn’t even come close to describing the rainbow warrior when he’s like this! His post stage comments can be read here.
Highlights…
And the podium is… Kristoff, Sagan and Danny van Poppel (Sky)
Tour of California WE, Stage 3, Santa Rosa to Santa Rosa, 111km
A relentless day of climbing saw Mara Abbot (Wiggle High5) stake her claim on the Queen of the Mountain jersey. 30 riders attacked each other all along the finishing circuits but the sprinters would not be denied. Fastest of the bunch was comeback queen Marianne Vos (Rabobank-Liv) just pipping UnitedHealthcare’s Coryn Riviera and Emma Johansson (Wiggle High5). Megan Guarnier (Boels-Dolmans) retains her overall lead by 15secs over Twenty16’s Kristin Armstrong.
Highlights…
Longer highlights here
Whatever comes to hand…
Superwoman turned up to cheer the peloton – makes a welcome change from various antler bedecked men…
Links: Official site for Amgen Tour of California, Twitter
Featured Image: Vos ©GettyImages/Chris Graythen