Dates February 18–25, 2007 Distance 650 mi (1,046 km) | Stages 7+Prologue | |
 | ||
The Amgen Tour of California 2007 is the second edition of an eight-day, 650-mile (1,045 km) stage race that races through the California redwoods, wine country and the Pacific Coast. The road bicycle racing event was held February 18 through 25, 2007. The 2007 Tour of California is part of the 2006–2007 UCI America Tour and the inaugural 2007 USA Cycling Professional Tour.
Contents
- Prologue San Francisco
- Stage 1 Sausalito to Santa Rosa
- Stage 2 Santa Rosa to Sacramento
- Stage 3 Stockton to San Jose
- Stage 4 Seaside to San Luis Obispo
- Stage 5 Solvang time trial
- Stage 6 Santa Barbara to Santa Clarita
- Stage 7 Long Beach circuit race
- Final results
- References
On November 28, 2006, the UCI upgraded the multi-day event from 2.1 (category 1) to 2.HC (French: Hors Categorie; English: beyond categorization).
Prologue: San Francisco
Held Sunday, February 18, 2007, the prologue is an individual time trial held in San Francisco. Native Californian and last year's prologue champion Levi Leipheimer edged out Colorado's Jason Donald from Slipstream–Chipotle and former NCAA Road Champion Benjamin Jacques-Maynes.
Stage 1: Sausalito to Santa Rosa
Held Monday, February 19, 2007. A breakaway of four riders including Adam Hansen of T-Mobile Team was reeled in shortly before the finish in Santa Rosa. During the second of the three finishing laps in Santa Rosa, a crash took down most of the peloton, including leader Levi Leipheimer. Those not involved in the crash fought for the stage victory, taken by Graeme Brown by mere millimetres.
Riders involved in the crash lost several minutes, but the race officials decided to credit most of them with the winner's time, meaning that Leipheimer retained the leader's jersey. This decision, which meant extending the "safety zone" to 6 miles (10 km) before the end, was criticised by some riders and team staff.
Stage 2: Santa Rosa to Sacramento
Held Tuesday, February 20, 2007.
Stage 3: Stockton to San Jose
Held Wednesday, February 21, 2007.
Stage 4: Seaside to San Luis Obispo
Held Thursday, February 22, 2007, reigning Olympic and World Champion Paolo Bettini captured Stage 4, the event's longest stage, by just edging Gerald Ciolek, Juan José Haedo and Thor Hushovd in a sprint finish after the peloton reeled in a seven-man breakaway consisting of Hilton Clarke (Navigators Insurance), Aaron Olson (T-Mobile Team), Kirk O'Bee (Health Net–Maxxis), Alejandro Acton (Colavita–Sutter Home), Christophe Laurent (Crédit Agricole), Lucas Euser (Slipstream–Chipotle), and Sean Sullivan (Toyota–United).
Stage 5: Solvang time trial
Held Friday, February 23, 2007, Stage 5 is an individual time trial. Yellow jersey holder Levi Leipheimer extended his lead over second place Jens Voigt and the rest of the field.
Stage 6: Santa Barbara to Santa Clarita
- Robert Gesink (NED), Rabobank, 22.20.46
- Team CSC, 66.56.17
- Discovery Channel, +2.19
- T-Mobile Team, +3.20
Stage 7: Long Beach circuit race
Held Sunday, February 25, 2007.
Final results
General Classification after Stage 7 (Final results)