TOC Stage 1

What a day.  Not only was today the first stage of the Tour Of California, it was also one of the biggest freakshows on the San Francisco calender in the Bay to Breakers "run".  The Bay to Breakers is a serious and competitive event for about two dozen of the 15,000+ participants, and it actually offers the highest prize money for any 12km run in the world, but you wouldn't know it from the shenanigans that go on.  In the 5 or 6 blocks I had to walk through the throng I saw every combination of dress imaginable; proper running clothes, superhero outfits, full length unitards, some guy dressed as ALF, another in a full sniper ghillie suit, more cartoon characters than I can remember (but I do remember the guy in a Master Shake costume from Aqua Teen Hunger Force, he won my best dressed for the day) and more S&M gear than was comfortable (it is San Francisco after all).  By mid race, once the "competitors" are adequately inebriated, most of the clothes apparently come off, but the police aren't concerned with the public drunkenness or nudity, just don't pee behind a tree, that seems to be the only thing that will get you in trouble with the law.

Getting out of San Francisco was a bit difficult with all the commotion of halloween in May taking place on the streets, but once I'd gotten to the east bay I was quickly on a train to Sacramento.  As the stage finished with 3 laps of a circuit around California's capital building, criteriums were taking place when I arrived around midday, there was also the "Lifestyle Festival" which was more of a place for sponsors to hock their wares, but there was more than enough bike porn to keep any bike nut entertained.

[caption id="attachment_19" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="The love it or hate it Bahati Foundation Cannondale SuperSix"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_20" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="The brand spanking new Felt DA, the same bike that had heads turning at the Giro last week"][/caption]

As anyone who knows me could attest, I have way too many T-shirts, and almost as many caps.  Between the Garmin Slipstream, HTC Columbia and TOC merchandise tent I somehow ended up with another 5 shirts, but only 1 cap, so that should be considered a victory.  More good news is that with 5 new shirts, I may not need to do any washing before I go home (I just need more cheap designer boxer shorts).

Now as far as the race is concerned, those of you at home probably have a better idea of how the whole race, and even the laps of the finishing circuit panned out, but it was pretty obvious that HTC had their train set up plenty well enough to deliver Mark Cavendish to the line, although with a lap to go Saxo Bank had Jensy, Spartacus and Stuey lined up to deliver JJ Haedo.

[caption id="attachment_21" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Pilot and Bombardier, Renshaw and Cav."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_22" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Jens Voigt driving it, with Fabian Cancellara and Stuey in tow "][/caption]

The sprint was pretty much a two horse race  after Tom Boonen crashed on the last lap, although I don't think he has the lead out train to go with Cav here in California.  To me it's also fairly obvious that it hasn't been Cav's off season health issues that have kept him to 3 wins so far this year, I think it's been Mark Renshaw's health that has had a greater impact.  Best lead-out in the world, period.  I can't remember the last time somebody got over the top of Cavendish when he was coming off Renshaw's wheel.

[caption id="attachment_23" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Tommeke, missing some lycra and a bit of skin post finish"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_24" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Boonen's banged up Mercx. The team car was moving so I couldn't quite tell if the chainstay was busted, but he certainly wasn't going to finish on that frame"][/caption]