Illinoistocht

A little video from Stage 3 of the AMGEN Tour of California.   This is at the summit of Tunitas Creek Rd. just before Skyline Blvd.  (This is at the ridgeline of the coastal hills, at about 2000 ft. / 610m, west of Stanford University on the peninsula between San Francisco and San Jose, CA).  There was a nearby KOM point where the slope was greater, making for better race viewing, but I arrived fairly late so I just took a place here at the summit (where the slope was tapering off).  There was a little bit of a steady rain near this point in the race which then was a steady drizzle with the redwood trees dropping the moisture on the spectators.   Most of the course was dry but I'd kind of planned on watching it here.  Oh well. 

Notice how the three riders in the breakaway are pedaling hard while, given the grade is beginning to flatten here (after about 2000 ft. of climb up from the coastal road), many in the peleton are able to soft pedal.  These particular breakaway riders were caught; however, later in the stage, a three person breakaway did get and stay away, with Dave Zabriskie taking the stage win.  Zabriskie won last year's Tour of Missouri, which may not be held this year unless it receives further support, see here.