That is what Tejay van Garderen said at the finish of a very hot steep climb to the tram station in Palm Springs, California. I was at the start this morning in Murietta, where I met three cycling fans who were very knowledgeable about the local area, I predicted, "What until the finish, we are going to see exhausted riders on the ground after they cross the line." We could imagine it clearly from where we stood 124 miles away, the morning was already too hot. I am wishing I could have predicted a different outcome for those young men. I wouldn't want to wish upon anyone what the riders during Stage 1 of the Tour of California experienced today.
124.3 miles in 111℉ (44℃) heat, over 9,790 ft elevation gain, to finish up a dusty mountain climb barely able to unclip from their bikes.
Yesterday in Escondido in the searing hot 105℉ temperatures, my friend and photographer for Pedal Dancer®, Willie Reichenstein, commented as we reviewed his photos from the KOM point on Coal Grade Road, "By this point, most of these guys looked like they couldn't get home fast enough." Well today these pros, who will ride through anything as their profession demands, probably wished they had never left home.
Pieter Serry (Omega Pharma-Quickstep), from Belgium, dramatically collapsed in the final few hundred meters of the finish line from the heat, abandoning the race. Mauro Da Dalto (Cannondale) from Italy, also had to withdraw suffering from heat stroke he was taken to the hospital.
Five riders did not start Stage 2 today. Only two riders did not finish today's stage - very admirable. 121 of 128 ride on ...
Tomorrow we will see the same riders, pick themselves up, get back on the saddle and again line up on the start line of Stage 3 ready to race. I wish each and every one of them a cool peaceful nights rest.
Also read: Tour of California shakes and bakes in searing Palm Springs heat By: Laura Weislo in CyclingNews
How steep is steep? The tram road in Palm Springs:
Length: 3.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 1910 ft
Average Grade: 9.5%
Last 1.2 miles: 12%
Last 1/2 mile: 14.3%
2nd steepest climb in southern California
Stage 2 results - full results on ATOC website
Stage 2 winner
Janier Alexis Acevedo (COL), Team Jamis – Hagens Berman
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| The Jamis bike that powered today's Stage 1 winner - Janier Acevedo ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer® |
- Janier Alexis Acevedo (COL), Team Jamis – Hagens Berman
- Tejay van Garderen (USA), BMC Racing Tea
- Philip Deignan (IRL), UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
Janier Alexis Acevedo (COL), Team Jamis – Hagens Berman
Sprint Classification (green)
Lieuwe Westra (NED), Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Tea
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| Lieuwe changed colors today from yellow to green. ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer® |
Carter Jones (USA), BISSELL Pro Cycling
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| Carter Jones earned another day in read and white polka dots. ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer® |
Lawson Craddock (USA), Bontrager Cycling Team
Amgen Breakaway from Cancer Most Courageous Rider
Sylvain Chavanel (FRA), Omega Pharma – Quick-Step Cycling Team
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| Sylvain Chavanel ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer® |
United Healthcare Pro Cycling
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| United Healthcare team car at the start of Stage 2 in Murrieta. ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer® |
- Janier Acevedo Calle, Jamis, Columbia, 00"
- Tejay van Garderen, BMC, USA, 12"
- Philip Deignan, United Healthcare, Ireland, 27"
- Mathias Frank, BMC, Switzerland, 45"
- Michael Rogers, Saxo Bank-Tinkoff, Australia, 55"
- Francisco Mancebo Perez, 5Hour Energy, Spain, 01'03"
- Chad Haga, Optum, USA, 01'13"
- Matthew Busche, RadioShack Leopard Trek, USA, 01'15"
- Lawson Craddock, Bontrager, Australia, 01'32"
- Cameron Meyer, Orica-GreenEdge, Australia, 01'40"
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| Tejay van Garderen drinking even before the stage started. ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer® |
To read stories about the day: California Cruisin' - Stage 2, Tour of California
Looking Back at Pedal Dancer at the Tour of California 2013
Pedal Dancer Stage 1 results: Amgen Tour of California - Stage 1 Results
Pedal Dancer Stage 1 highlights: California Cruisin' - Stage 1, Tour of California
Pedal Dancer Stage 2 results: Amgen Tour of California - Stage 2 Results
Pedal Dancer Stage 2 highlights: California Cruisin' - Stage 2, Tour of California
Pedal Dancer Stage 3 results: Amgen Tour of California - Stage 3 Results
Pedal Dancer Stage 3 highlights: California Cruisin' - Stage 3, Tour of California
Pedal Dancer Stage 4 results: Amgen Tour of California - Stage 4 Results
Pedal Dancer Stage 4 highlights: California Cruisin' - Stage 4, Tour of California
Pedal Dancer Stage 5 results: Amgen Tour of California - Stage 5 results
Pedal Dancer Stage 5 highlights: California Cruisin' - Stage 5, Tour of California
Pedal Dancer Stage 6 results: Amgen Tour of California - Stage 6 results