A peloton of CHPs motorcycles signals the cyclists are about to arriveStage 2 was shortened from 133 miles to 76.3 miles due to bad weather and icy road conditions at 7,085' Donner Summit.
The race start was quickly relocated from Squaw Valley to Nevada City. The course remained the same from Nevada City to Sacramento and followed essentially flat roads to the finish.
I back-tracked the race route and found a hilly portion just outside of Beales Air Force Base on Spenceville Road. I positioned myself at the top of the "S" curve and took the following pics.
After the last riders and support vehicle came by, I jumped into my car and dashed back to downtown Sacramento to catch the finishing circuit around the state capitol.
Click on pic once/twice for enlarged view
Impressive parade of motorcycles on Spenceville Road
A budding cycling fan ringing the cowbells with help from mom
The 4-man breakaway group had a 4 minute lead leaving Beales AFB. The riders were Ben Jacques-Mayne of Team Bissell, James Driscoll of James-Sutter Home, Timon Seubert of Team Net App, and Lazlo Bodrogi of Team Type 1.
Forming a cool little eschelon to battle the headwinds
The main peloton crests the hill in hot pursuit
Coming around the S curve . . .
. . . and up a hill
Over a little rise and on toward Wheatland
A parade of team support cars following the racers
The broom wagon sweeping the course
I hop in my car and drive like the devil to get to downtown Sacramento before the racers arrive. I get there in the nick of time to catch the 4 lap finish around the State Capitol Park.
Hammering down N Street
Banking into the turn at 15th and N Streets
Levi - Team Radio Shack
One of the official photographers positioned himself at the same corner
Racers coming down N St. on the 2nd lap
Rain fell during the 3rd lap
Cautiously turning the corner
The final lap the riders blast down L St. to the finish line
Ben Swift of Team Sky won Stage 2 in a sprint finish
Checking out team bikes parked by the Capitol
The Shack team bus
Oscar Freire with fan
Chris Horner
George Hincapie
Colorful Team Jelly Belly
Having recently purchased a Cervelo R5, I've become a fan of Team Garmin-Cervelo
Garmin-Cervelo team bus
Kevin the team bus driver
EricRemember this guy? Doc Eric Heiden who is the team physician for BMC.
Scroll on down or click on "older posts" to continue to Stage 3 blog entry
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