2006 Tour de Georgia - April 18-23, 2006

[Marc]

I ride a double with a 12-27 and in CT there are climbs that challenge me.


Climbing Wachusett challenged me quite a bit. I think there's an 15-18% short section on that climb.

And I'm only 6', 170 lbs.

[Charlie Schuessler]

CSC Rider Michaelsen takes Stage 1 in Georgia

VELONEWS.COM IS REPORTING that longtime CSC pro rider Lars Michaelsen outgunned American Fred Rodriguez (Davitamon-Lotto) and Aussie Caleb Manion (Jelly Belly) on Tuesday to win the 128.9-mile gallop from Augusta to Macon on day one of the 2006 Ford Tour de Georgia.

While Michaelsen was right where he wanted to be, a host of other pre-race favorites was missing in action. Among those at large in the final dash for the line were Gord Fraser (Health Net-Maxxis), Francisco Ventoso (Prodir-Saunier Duval) and Ivan Dominguez (Toyota-United). Fraser punctured late in the race and was not able to catch back on. Ventoso was simply unable to keep pace on the tough Macon finishing circuit. And Dominguez crashed within sight of the finish line.

Rodriguez also had his share of late-race issues, overcoming two wheel changes before clawing his way back into contention and second place at the finish. A puncture caused his first pit stop. Then, after catching back onto the group with the aid of two teammates, Rodriguez pulled over again.

"The second time the gears were skipping," said the American. "I think it was a problem with the cog, but I'm not really sure."

Remarkably, Rodriguez was back near the front by the time the group started the last of three undulating 2.1-mile finishing circuits in downtown Macon.

Although it's two days off, the word on Thursday's 25-mile time-trial course from Chickamauga to Chattanooga is that it's tougher than it appears on the stage profile. Reports from those who have ridden the route over Lookout Mountain say that it is extremely undulating, with very few flat sections and a harrowing descent.

Racing at the six-day Tour de Georgia continues Wednesday with a 116.1-mile run from Fayetteville to Rome. It's likely to be another day for the sprinters, with only a category-4 climb to shake things up.

Floyd Landis is sitting 10-seconds back, with a tough time trial and lots of climbing upcoming, he may pick up his third Stage Race Victory this season.

For more information go to: http://www.velonews.com/race/dom/articles/9761.0.html

Stage 1 Results
1. Lars Michaelsen (Dk), CSC, 4:45:46
2. Fred Rodriguez (USA), Davitamon-Lotto
3. Caleb Manion (Aus), JBC
4. Karl Menzies (Aus), Health Net Maxxis
5. Vassili Davidenko (Rus), Navigators Insurance
6. Ben (USA), KodakGallery.com-Sierra Nevada
7. Haedo Juan José (ARG), Toyota-United
8. Henk Vogels (Aus), Davitamon-Lotto
9. Peter Mazur (Pol), Saunier Duval
10. Augusto Cesar Augusto (Col), Navigators Insurance
11. Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr), Discovery Channel Pro Cycling
12. Floyd Landis (USA), Phonak
13. Thomas Peterson (USA), TIAA-CREF
14. Robert Hunter (RSA), Phonak
15. Andrew Bajadali (USA), JBC

Overall after Stage 1
1. Lars Michaelsen (Dk), CSC, 4:45:36
2. Fred Rodriguez (USA), Davitamon-Lotto, 00:04
3. Caleb Manion (Aus), JBC, 00:06
4. Haedo Juan José (ARG), Toyota-United, 00:07
5. Matthew Rice (Aus), JBC, 00:08
6. Allan Johansen (Dk), CSC, 00:09
7. Karl Menzies (Aus), Health Net Maxxis, 00:10
8. Vassili Davidenko (Rus), Navigators Insurance
9. Ben (USA), KodakGallery.com-Sierra Nevada
10. Henk Vogels (Aus), Davitamon-Lotto
11. Peter Mazur (Pol), Saunier Duval
12. Augusto Cesar Augusto (Col), Navigators Insurance
13. Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr), Discovery Channel Pro Cycling
14. Floyd Landis (USA), Phonak
15. Thomas Peterson (USA), TIAA-CREF

Young Rider Overall
1. Peter Mazur (Pol), Saunier Duval, 04:45:46
2. Thomas Peterson (USA), TIAA-CREF
3. Jesse Anthony (USA), KodakGallery.com-Sierra Nevada
4. Johann Tschopp (Swi), Phonak
5. Lucas Euser (USA), TIAA-CREF
6. Janez Brajkovic (SLO), Discovery Channel Pro Cycling
7. Craig Lewis (USA), TIAA-CREF
8. Alberto Fernandez De La Puebla Ramos (Sp), Saunier Duval
9. Peter Hatton (Aus), Jittery Joe's Coffee
10. Michael Lange (USA), TIAA-CREF
Overall Sprint Points
1. Lars Michaelsen (Dk), CSC, 15 Pts.
2. Fred Rodriguez (USA), Davitamon-Lotto, 12 Pts.
3. Caleb Manion (Aus), JBC, 10 Pts.
4. Haedo Juan José (ARG), Toyota-United, 9 Pts.
5. Alejandro Acton (ARG), TTC, 8 Pts.
6. Karl Menzies (Aus), Health Net Maxxis, 7 Pts.
7. Vassili Davidenko (Rus), Navigators Insurance, 6 Pts.
8. Jackson Stewart (USA), KodakGallery.com-Sierra Nevada, 5 Pts.
9. Ben (USA), KodakGallery.com-Sierra Nevada, 5 Pts.
10. Dan Bowman (USA), TIAA-CREF, 3 Pts.

Overall Team Standings
1. Jelly Belly Cycling, 14:17:18
2. Davitamon-Lotto, 14:17:18
3. KodakGallery.com-Sierra Nevada, 14:17:18
4. Phonak, 14:17:18
5. Discovery Channel Pro Cycling, 14:17:18
6. Navigators Insurance, 14:17:18
7. TIAA-CREF, 14:17:18
8. Toyota-United, 14:17:18
9. CSC, 14:17:18
10. Saunier Duval, 14:17:18
11. Health Net Maxxis, 14:17:18
12. Quick Step-Innergetic, 14:17:18
13. Colavita Olive Oil-Sutter Home, 14:17:18
14. Jittery Joe's Coffee, 14:17:18
15. TTC, 14:17:46

[Charlie Schuessler]

Discovery Channel's Popovych Takes Stage 2

WWW.VELONEWS.COM is reporting that Discovery Channel's Yaroslav Popovych made a late-race escape to win Stage 2 of the 2006 Ford Tour de Georgia and take the leaders Jersey.

The stage win and accompanying time bonus gave Popovych a four-second GC lead over Rodriguez, meaning the Ukrainian will draw the coveted last spot in Thursday's all-important time trial from Chickamauga to Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Stage 1 winner Lars Michaelsen (CSC) was 44th at 0:16 on Stage 2, and fell to fifth in the GC.

Up next is stage 3, the individual time trial, a 24.8-mile run from Chickamauga to Chattanooga. Riders will depart in reverse order of the general classification in one-minute intervals except for the final 10, who will go in two-minute intervals.

For more information go to: http://www.velonews.com/race/dom/articles/9767.0.html

[Marc]

Hey, Tommy Danielson in there with 11 place, only seven seconds behind Popovych. Good showing.

I think that kid shows a lot of promise. He's going to be the next great American cyclist. He'll take that distinction from Landis as is career dies down.

[Charlie Schuessler]

WWW.VELONEWS.COM is reporting that for the second time in two years the battle for supremacy at the Tour de Georgia is setting up as a battle between Americans Floyd Landis and Tom Danielson. The pair vaulted into the top two places in the overall standings after finishing 1-2 in the Stage 3 individual time trial on Thursday.

Just as he did a year ago, Landis (Phonak) was the fastest man on the day, posting a blazing 54:14 on the highly technical 24.8-mile trip from Chickamauga over the border to Chattanooga, Tennessee. Danielson (Discovery Channel) was a close second, just four seconds back of Landis, with David Zabriskie (CSC) completing the sweep for the Americans, taking third at 0:24.

Thursday's time trial was about as tough as they come. Besides a grinding climb that neared 18 percent at points, riders had to deal with a technical, twisting downhill. Before the race, Zabriskie went so far as to call it the toughest time-trial course he'd ever ridden.

Go to for more information: http://www.velonews.com/race/dom/articles/9773.0.html

I believe Landis is going to increase his lead over the next two stages and pick up his third stage race this season (2nd USA Event).

[freeheelwilly]

Yeah Floyd Boy! Revenge of the mountain bikers!

[Marc]

Nice, first for Landis and second for Danielson.


Danielson placed high in last year's time trials as well, I believe...

[freeheelwilly]

Fast Freddie wins the field sprint. Nice.

[Charlie Schuessler]

WWW.VELONEWS.COM is reporting the following:

Unofficial Stage 4 Finish Status
1. Fred Rodriguez (USA), Davitamon-Lotto; 2. Matteo Tosatto (I), Quick Step-Innergetic; 3. Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr), Discovery Channel

Jersey Leaders: King-of-Mountain is TIAA-CREF's Lucas Euser. Most Aggressive will certainly be McCartney. Rodriguez will be Points man and Landis will maintain his GC lead.

McCartney of the Discovery Channel Team rode the race of his life today and missed taking the stage by about 10-miles....

[Charlie Schuessler]

Landis defends Georgia lead as Danielson takes Brasstown Bald

WWW.VELONEWS,COM is reporting that at-the-wire during Saturday’s Stage 5, Discovery's Tom Danielson won the Tour de Georgia's toughest stage - a 94.5-mile race from Blairsville to the top of Brasstown Bald Mountain.

While Danielson took the day's battle, Phonak's Floyd Landis may have won the war, as he finished right behind the stage winner, preserving his hold on the overall lead.

Unofficial results
1. Tom Danielson (DSC) 4:04:56
2. Floyd Landis (PHO)
3. Yaroslav Popovych (DSC) +0:17
4. Cesar Grajales (NIC) +0:23
5. Janez Brajkovic (DSC)

Overall Standings
1. Floyd Landis (PHO)
2. Tom Danielson (DSC), +0:04

Go to http://www.velonews.com/race/dom/articles/9779.0.html for more information and detailed race reports.

GO Floyd!