The weekend is over and as it ends so does this year’s addition of the Tour of California. The 2012 ToC ended up featuring a lot of large group sprints. We had an epic breakaway survive and the TT definitely shook up the GC standings. Yet we relied on Saturday’s stage for the real action. The penultimate stage at Mt Baldy did not disappoint, just as expected, the overall winner was crowned that day. There were a few more surprises along the way and all of the Wiskota fantasy Teams represented at the race managed to earn some points. Some more than others, of course. So how did we do?
A big congratulations goes out to Miguelito Indurain’s team as they came away with their first GC win of the year. Robert Gesink set up his win with an excellent TT on Thursday coming in 4th just over 30 seconds back. But it was his move on Mt. Baldy that will be remembered. Gesink’s push on the last third of the climb buried his rivals. He eventually caught the breakaway Colombian and snatched the win with a sprinty kick at the line, earning an extra 20 points for the stage win. Gesink is starting to look like a steal as a 6th round pick. He has been long considered a Tour favorite amongst his fellow Dutch. With good time trial abilities and an obvious affinity for climbing, can The Condor of Varrseveld soar to a podium finish? I am starting to think so. But before we get ahead of ourselves, Miguelito should enjoy the moment. T of C on the Nomad patio, overall GC victory and a jump past Bill the neo-pro to get out of the cellar. Looking good.
Gesink 1stGC= 100pts, Stages: 1st=20pts,4th =7, 1 day in leader’s jersey=10pts, Miguelito Indurain=137pts
Although it was a big win for Gesink it can be argued that the real story of the T o C was Team Wiskota Dynamic rider, Peter Sagan. The Terminator racked up a crazy amount of points winning 5 sprint stages, coming in 2nd in another and wearing the leader’s jersey for 4 days. Sagan repeatedly beat Hausler and Boonen at the line and a few times he even had time to try out his new “I’m watching you” celebration. I still think he is trying to get an Italian sunglasses endorsement. Sagan continues to impress on American soil. Looks like he knows where the money is, he even attempted a little English in the final interview. Sagan looks like a strong contender for stage wins in his first Tour de France. Team Wiskota Dynamic’s GC rider was one of the last men standing on Mt. Baldy. But a less than top tier TT combined with a crazy strong Gesink meant a 3rd place finish was all Tom Danielson could muster. Still pretty good points. A very respectable showing for Tommy D and an outstanding result for Team Wiskota Dynamic. Enough in fact, to move past Team Volpe into first place. Huzzah!
Danielson 3rd GC=40pts, Stages: 5th=6pts , Sagan Stages: 5 1sts =100pts, 2nd 14pts, 4 days in leader’s jersey=40pts Team Wiskota Dynamic=200 pts
Gregario Forza came into the race with very high hopes. First overall? A podium sweep? Well, it didn’t quite work out that way. Despite what seemed like great form, Nibali obviously was not here to race. With a teammate like Sagan dominating everyday perhaps Nibali decided he could take the week off. Chris Horner lost a lot of time in the time trial and it seemed that his chances of a high GC finish were slim and an overall out of the question. However, Horner went early on the Mt. Baldy stage, stretching his lead out enough to be the “virtual leader” on the course. But the day was just too long and Horner did too much work. His Colombian breakaway partner left him behind and eventually Horner was swept up by several other riders. Horner managed to squeak out an 8th place finish overall, not a whole lot of points. Coming into the Mt. baldy stage 30 seconds of the leader Tejay Van Garderen seemed primed for an overall victory. But, once again TVG blew up in the last few kilometers of the climb. He held on for a 4th place GC finish, pretty good really. But he was visibly disappointed as was his Wiskota Fantasy Team director, Gregario Forza.
Horner 8th GC= 10 pts, Stages: 8th=2, 6th=5 , TVG 4th GC= 30 pts, Stages: 3rd =8 , Gregario Forza=55 pts
It seemed like a bad race for Team Volpe rider Tom Boonen. He only really contested one sprint but was in there for several more. So, Tommeke, even on a bad week, still snuck out 29 points.
Boonen Stages: 3rd=8pts, 4th =7pts, 2nd=14pts Team Volpe=29 pts
So ends the 2012 Tour of California. Overall, a pretty good race, yet I would like one more decisive stage. Well, there is always next year. But as for us, the heart of the Wiskota fantasy season is around the corner. The final and decisive week of the Giro is upon us and I still haven’t had a Negroni. Is anyone interested? Can Purito hang on for the win? Will Basso dominate the long climbs? Will Greg let us watch the race? These questions and more to be answered in a forthcoming Panache'.
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