Tour of California: Stage One!

Yes we do, Calistoga, Yes we do. Stage One of the Tour of California came through our little town and we bellied up to the Herbalife Sprint Point to see some fast racing action. Would the first Green Sprinters Jersey go to Tom Boonen, Mark Cavendish, or maybe even a certain Lance Armstrong?

Nope. It's none other than Francisco Mancebo of Rock Racing. Word at this point is that he has been on a 85 mile breakaway, sometimes with Tim Johnson (OUCH p/b Maxxis) and David Kemp (Fly V Australia) but after the Cat. 2 Howell Mountain, without.

And here comes the Astana boys laying the hammer! Chris Horner's scary-happy grin in full view pulling Popo, Marabito, Chechu, Lance, and then Levi. Needless to say, their was quite a bit of panic on all their faces as the Tour of California was slowly slipping out of their grasp.

And their they go.........................................shoulda watched on a mountain top.

Also speaking of panic, the High Road boys were at their max with the field in tow trying to keep a leash on Lance & Levi and the Astana led bunch. Apparently their was quite a shake up on Howell Mountain after George Hincapie flatted at the base of the climb. Leading worker bee Michael Barry is gritting his teeth, which are probably filled with the fertile soil of the Napa Valley as you can imagine with these weather conditions.
Dang, where was homeboy Brad Huff? I guess I missed him in all the action.............or maybe that is him that I spy in the black rain coat. Looked like a long day in the office for our resident Mercy-alum and current Jelly Belly Sprinter

Many thanks go out to Brad and Sharon Suhr, owners of Calistoga Bike Shop, for letting us warm up in their shop as well as for the amazing banana-nut bread that Sharon made. Even more amazing, is the fact that ~12 hours later, Sharon gave birth to their 2nd child!!!!! Congrats go out to the Suhr's, and their amazing dedication to holding off the birthing process till after the Tour of California :)