Tour of California

Gregory Henderson wins Stage 3 Tour of California

Photo: courtesy
Philippe Huguenin

Photo: courtesy
Philippe Huguenin


MODESTO -- Team Sky has proven to be the best flatland racing team in this year’s Tour of California.

Now it’s time to see if Sky can climb.

New Zealander Greg Henderson gave Sky its second stage win in as many days on Tuesday, using the friendly draft of two teammates on the final circuit lap of downtown Modesto to claim the Auburn-to-Modesto run.


His win follows the Stage 2 victory in Sacramento of teammate Ben Swift, as Henderson will wear the yellow leader’s jersey for today’s Stage 4, a short but technical run between Livermore and San Jose that features five rated climbs and finishes atop a steep ascent of Sierra Road.

J.J. Haedo of the Saxo Bank Sungard team finished second and Thor Hushovd of Team Garmin-Cervelo was third.

The stage was a challenge for the cyclists, who battled rain and heavy wind most of the 5-hour ride from Auburn in the Sierra foothills to Modesto in the heart of the Central Valley.

The peloton rolled down Scenic Drive into downtown about 3:45 p.m., and after two circuits around the center city, Henderson crossed the finish line a few minutes before 4 p.m. under a dull gray sky with two helicopters hovering overhead.

The poor weather was slowing the riders considerably, and the peloton was well behind initial projections from race officials on when it would Oakdale, Modesto and other mileposts along the 121.9 mile route.

From late morning through the afternoon, thousands of race fans flocked to downtown Modesto to take in the street fair and the finish.

In Oakdale, spectators popped up umbrellas and staked out seats on the sidewalks along the race route.

The live television feed of the race that began at 1:50 p.m. on the tour website and on the Versus cable television network showed lots of pictures taken through camera lenses spotted with rain drops.

The race had several dramatic passages: the start before hundreds of fans in Auburn, then a breakaway that provided a treat for more excited spectators in Folsom, listening to music as they lined the intersection of Riley and Sutter streets.

A seven-rider break put distance between themselves and the peloton, gaining an advantage that gave fans in town plenty of value for spending time in the nasty weather, something that has characterized the race so far.

It was the first drama for a stage that began in a light rain in Auburn at 10:26 a.m. The racers went through downtown, passing through the start gate multiple times, delighting the crowd.

Bill Radakovitz, chamber board member, estimated the crowd at 10,000 spectators.

Crowds of Placer County residents lined High Street and Lincoln Way, cheering and shaking cowbells as the racers streamed by.

No racers fell on the wet pavement of downtown Auburn. Cyclists warmed up in the 54-degree Auburn weather before making their way south to Modesto.

Emily Chepernich, 27, was pushing her bundled up son Abraham in a baby carriage on High Street as the cyclists headed out of town to cheers. Chepernich said she was having tons of fun.

"We are skipping nap time for the Amgen tour," she said. "It's insane. I didn't think it would be this crazy."




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