Race provided a platform to top stars like Sagan, Boonen, Cavendish
The introduction of Mt. Baldy
The Horner-Levi show takes stage 7 on Mt Baldy (Image credit: Mark Johnson/www.ironstring.com)
Levi Leipheimer came into the 2011 edition of the Tour of California as the odds-on favourite for the overall, having won three consecutive years. With Mick Rogers not returning to defend, it was Leipheimer's race to lose in particular with the introduction of the summit finish on Mt. Baldy on the penultimate stage.
But the critical moment came on stage 4 from Livermore to San Jose where, on the Sierra Road climb, teammate Chris Horner put in a stinging attack that no one could answer. He won the stage by 1:15 over Leipheimer's group.
They say the yellow jersey gives you wings, and though it was expected that Leipheimer would take the jersey from Horner in the Solvang time trial, Horner gave up only 37 seconds to his teammate on a stage won by Zabriskie. With 38 seconds still in hand, the pair headed into the Mt. Baldy stage with a minute on the next-best rider Rory Sutherland.
On the final climb, the pair's teammate Matthew Busche put in a surge that distanced Laurens Ten Dam and Andy Schleck and that was all they needed.
"I had an inkling after 3km that I was going to win," Leipheimer said, clearly knowing Horner would not deny him the stage win.
The two bald-headed Americans crossed the line together hands held aloft with Horner sealing the overall victory and Leipheimer the stage.
Mt. Baldy would go on to play a key role in the overall classification of the race three more times, with Robert Gesink, Julian Alaphilippe and Tadej Pogačar taking stage wins there.
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Laura Weislo has been with Cyclingnews since 2006 after making a switch from a career in science. As Managing Editor, she coordinates coverage for North American events and global news. As former elite-level road racer who dabbled in cyclo-cross and track, Laura has a passion for all three disciplines. When not working she likes to go camping and explore lesser traveled roads, paths and gravel tracks. Laura specialises in covering doping, anti-doping, UCI governance and performing data analysis.
