Tour of California 2009 Stage 8: Frank Schleck Outsprints Nibali; Hincapie Third; Leipheimer, Zabriske, Rogers Make Tour Podium

Stage 8 was great for viewing except for the many in number but few in percentage fans, who ran for their own glory and fifteen seconds of fame. At times times these selfans impeded the cyclists, it seemed.

There were fun breakaways and chases and the climb up Palomar was a good long challenge that made the last day interesting. And the final climb and downhill run into the flat finish made the last day's course excellent for maintaining at least some chance of a shakeup in the standings if Astana or other teams cracked. There was not much cracking to be had, especially considering the extra help. 

There were some strange alliances on the day, with Liquigas pulling for Astana some, it appeared, and even a couple of Quick Step fellows up front after Tom Boonen was out of it. I never figured these quirks out fully. Maybe we'll learn later.

A few breakaways seemed fruitful but fizzled instead, then Schleck produced a gap on the descent of the long Palomar climb, with three others at time, then just with Nibali. In the end, as serious GC (overall) challengers faded, there was less worry over letting two riders off the front with under a minute of so, as they would not affect the podium of the overall, after all. Nibali was impressive but seemed to have to labor harder than Frank Schleck, who timed the finish right to take the win. Hincapie finished at the front of the bunch to take the last Stage 8 podium spot.

A note about the course...

In one of the most difficult stages of the 2009 race, the 96.8-mile route from Rancho Bernardo to Escondido included one sprint and four King of the Mountain (KOM) climbs, including the ‘above categorization’ ascent of Palomar Mountain, the highest point ever reached in the Amgen Tour of California at 5,123 feet.  The ascent unfolded over 11.7 miles and included 21 switchbacks at an average gradient of seven percent.
http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/news/press/2009-stage8-results.html

Mark Cavendish (GBR) of Team Columbia-Highroad won the sprint competition for the Tour of California, and Jason McCartney (USA) of Saxo Bank kept the King of the Mountains climber's jersey for the Tour.

With the Oscars on the way, the Tour of California finished just in time! Levi Liepheimer looked awesome, and of course, Contador was not there but winning in Portugal. Lance Armstrong looked very good, and Jens Voigt held his 4th place for a fine finish. Landis did well to place in the top 25 after much time off.

Now we wait a few weeks to see if the doping tests were any good? Do you believe? In the tests? In the teams? In the cyclists? 

Tour of California Stage 8 Top 31 (breakaway plus the bunch)

Tour of California 2009 Top 25 Final Standings

Locations