Chris Horner first in Amgen Tour of California

PHOTO GALLERY

VALENCIA - Hundreds of fans lined the start line of the last leg of the Amgen Tour of California on Sunday to cheer on their heroes toward the finish of what is billed as the nation's largest cycling event.

The eighth and final stage of the race began at the Westfield Valencia Towncenter Mall and ended in Thousand Oaks, with Chris Horner crossing the finish line first, beating RadioShack teammate Levi Leip- heimer by 38 seconds.

Cyclists wound their way west out of Santa Clarita, on to state Route 126 and then into Thousand Oaks on an 82.3-mile final leg of the nearly 800-mile race.

It wasn't the longest leg of the grueling contest, but it wasn't the shortest or easiest either. The more than 100 riders faced some rough road, including Balcom Canyon, a steep climb that forces racers to crank up a steep hill before they sprint toward the finish line in Thousand Oaks.

Many cycling fans who stood at the start line said they respected the athleticism and focus of the cyclists.

"Many of the greats are here," said Betty Seele, a 74-year-old Valencia resident who waved a flag from Denmark to cheer on riders from team Saxo Bank-Sungard.

Seele and others lined up three hours before the race began. Several got so close they could smell the sunblock worn by racers.

"It's great to see them in person," Seele said. "With so much bad news in the world every day, we need this. We need to gather and to have someone to root for."

Stephanie Carbone, also of Valencia, said she felt fortunate the Amgen Tour came through the Santa Clarita Valley. Sunday was the fourth time the tour began the final leg in her neighborhood.

"Oh my gosh, it's so exciting," said Carbone, who held on tight to an autographed program signed by Levi Leip- heimer.

Leipheimer, a three-time race winner who is part of Team RadioShack, claimed the mountainous Stage 7 of the tour on Saturday and Carbone said she would continue to root for the American.

"It's so thrilling," she said. "There's so much talent here."

Leipheimer told a cheering audience that Sunday's last leg would be a challenge.

"I'm really focused and nervous about the race," he said.

Some cycling enthusiasts said while seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong was missed, there were several American racers who drew their admiration, including Leipheimer and teammate Horner.

Armstrong has been the target of an ongoing federal investigation of performance-enhancing drugs in cycling. He said he would formally end his career at this year's Amgen tour, but was a no-show.

Die-hard cycling fans said they felt Armstrong's presence on Sunday.

"I wanted to be here because I wanted to see what a professional race was like," said Joe DeAngelis, who rode to the start line on his bicycle, as did his daughter, Emily.

Armstrong's "presence is still felt," DeAngelis said. "Even with all the scandals, it's an amazing feat he accomplished."

"It's a great experience," said Emily, 9.

"I think this is still a popular race."

Laura Clarke-Steffer and husband Bob, who traveled from Phoenix to watch the race, agreed, adding that Armstrong brought American attention to the sport of cycling, making it mainstream.

The Amgen Tour is billed as the nation's largest cycling event. The eight-day race begins in Lake Tahoe and covers more than 700 miles through California. It features elite professional teams and athletes from around the world.

Actor Patrick Dempsey helped kick off Sunday's ceremony before the starting gun popped. Dempsey has been a member of Amgen's Breakaway from Cancer program, which helps to support cancer patients. He reminded spectators that Breakaway from Cancer connects patients with support services ranging from cancer prevention, assistance during treatment, and embracing survivorship.

Cycling fan Hector Gonzalez and friends Karla Loera and Mario Frayre drove north from Ensenada, Mexico, to see the race up close.

"We're bicycle enthusiasts," Gonzalez, 29, said. "The race is well known in Baja."

Source: http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_18118134?source=rss

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