2007 Stage 7 Quotes

Levi Leipheimer (Santa Rosa, Calif.) General Classification Winner

Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team
Stage 7 Post-Race Comments

On cycling as a profession
“For me it is special because this is exactly what I wanted to do with my life.”

On leading each stage of the race
“This year’s race was extremely competitive. Team CSC and the other teams really put a lot of pressure on us. Without that level of competition this victory wouldn’t be as satisfying as it is. It’s really one of my most satisfying victories.”

On his victory
“Maybe my most satisfying victory. I don’t know if I could call it my biggest victory. I have a wall at home with some jerseys on it and I can tell you this jersey is going on that wall.”

On Discovery Channel Pro’s plan of attack
“We knew that everyone was going to come out and be aggressive. We counted on the other teams trying to win the stage. We tried to keep the gap close, so it was manageable for those teams to bring it to a sprint.”

On Hincapie’s injury
“Obviously that’s a big blow to our team. Now he’s going to miss the Classics. This race wasn’t supposed to be so difficult for us to win. The team was put under a lot of pressure. It was a big blow for us to loose George (Hincapie). We’re looking forward to having him back. The team is not the same without him.”

On the climbs
“Sierra was the hardest climb. That’s where I had to put in the most effort to keep up with Jens (Voigt).”

Ivan Dominguez (CUB) Stage 7 Winner

Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team
Stage 7 Post-Race Comments

On the crowds
“This crowd was huge. I live here in LA (Agoura Hills) and so for me, this one is bigger than NY (referring to the crowds at another race).” On the climbs
“Every day was hard.”

Bobby Julich (USA) Representative for Overall Team Classification

Team CSC
Stage 7 Post-Race Comments

On overall competition
“I thought it (the race) was fantastic. It was just much more interesting this year. All of the riders here were more fit and aggressive. We got in a couple of wins as well. It’s good for us to start the season off with a couple of wins. We always want to win that classification (overall team) in every race that we do.”

On the difference in level of competition between teams
“There’s definitely a gap still (between ProTour and Continental teams). I was pretty impressed with Jonathan’s team (Team Slipstream powered by Chipotle). The Amgen Tour of California is very nice to let the American teams compete and not just let in ProTour teams. They (the Continental teams) need to step it up and take advantage of that.”

Jason McCartney (USA) Third Place, General Classification

Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team
Stage 7 Post-Race Comments

On the race overall
“Last year was the inaugural year and no one knew what to expect, but it’s just fantastic. From start to finish, there was a lot of sweat on the road. And it ended up being a really great race.”

Christophe Laurent (FRA) Winner, California Travel and Tourism King of the Mountains Jersey

Credit Agricole
Stage 7 Post-Race Comments

On overall competition
“This week is a very good week for me. Fantastic finish. There were lots of people at the start and finish…and the encouragement was great. The races in Europe have to be envious of this race. There isn’t a race in Europe that is this well organized.”

Robert Gesink (NED) Union Bank Best Young Rider Winner

Rabobank
Stage 7 Post-Race Comments

On the race overall
“The organization, I think, was really good. It was a perfect race. The course was good, we had good conditions. I am very happy to win here in America. If it is on my team’s schedule next year, I won’t hesitate to come back here.”

Danny Pate (USA) Stage 7 Adobe Most Aggressive Rider Winner

Team Slipstream powered by Chipotle
Stage 7 Post-Race Comments

On the race today
“We were trying to play for the breakaway finishes. Just being aggressive out there. I’m honored to receive the award. I was in a lot of important moves. We were out there and made a race of it.”

Gerald Ciolek (GER), Third Place, Stage 7

T-Mobile Team
Stage 7 Post-Race Comments

On the race overall
“I will take home some good impressions of California. It’s a really nice race. I’d like to compete here next year, and maybe come here for training. It’s well organized; many, many people come here to watch the race; it’s good.”

Michael Rogers (AUS), Seventh Place, Stage 7

T-Mobile Team
Stage 7 Post-Race Comments

On the race overall
“It’s superb. I think 99 percent of the races could learn a lot from the organization here. This is my second time here, and I’ll be back again next year for sure.”

Jonathan Vaughters (USA), Manager

Team Slipstream powered by Chipotle, Team Manager
Stage 7 Post-Race Comments

On the race overall
“It’s been great. The organization level, the crowd level, the enthusiasm surrounding it…it’s on par with the Grand Tours around the world. The atmosphere isn’t that of real excitement (at other races), but at this race the fans are like those at the Tour de France. The fans are ecstatic. After watching this race it shocks me that cycling isn’t bigger in the US. It’s enormously exciting …If we could build this race up to a three week tour, why would we even go race in Europe?”

Shawn Hunter

President AEG Sports, Race Presenters
Stage 7 Post-Race Comments

On AEG’s commitment to cycling
"In only its second year, the Amgen Tour of California continues to grow as the largest cycling event in America, and we've been proud to host the best field of cyclists ever to race on U.S. soil. We love this sport, and we are committed to making it bigger and better every year to come. We want this race to be as important on U.S. soil as the Tour de France is in that country one day." On the success of the race
“We’ve had 16 days of racing and 16 days of sunshine. I heard someone say, ‘God must be a cyclist.’ The race was exciting from start to finish. The communities did a wonderful job. There were close to 1.6 million fans. “

On the future of the Amgen tour of California
“One of the goals of the Amgen Tour of California is to make it has hard as possible on these guys, and secondly we want to showcase the state of California.”

On the possibility of being included in the ProTour
“The first time that would be available is 2009. We want this to be as important of a cycling event on us as the Tour de France.”

Jim Birrell

Race Director, Amgen Tour of California
Stage 7 Post-Race Comments

On the race overall
“We saw more than 4,000 volunteers this year. Our staff has dedicated their heart and soul to help these fine athletes perform.”