Race provided a platform to top stars like Sagan, Boonen, Cavendish
Phinney out-Jensing Jens
Taylor Phinney takes a bow in Santa Barbara at the Tour of California in 2014 (Image credit: Getty Images)
In 2014, Taylor Phinney was having his best year on the road yet, having come into the year hot with the overall win in the Dubai Tour and a promising top-10 finish in the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. In California, Phinney was making his way back to form after a post-Classics break and aiming for selection for the Tour de France.
At the crest of the San Marcos pass with more than 20km to go, Phinney out-Voigted Jens Voigt and out-Sagan'd Peter Sagan: just over the crest, he surged to the front, got low into a tuck and simply descended away from the peloton – his body mass, aerodynamics, descending prowess and nerves of steel quickly helping open up a sizeable gap.
When he reached the bottom of the descent, there were still 17km to go in Santa Barbara and a peloton full of sprinters aching to contest a flat stage finish. But they left all the work to Sagan's Cannondale team and Phinney – at the height of his time trialing prowess – took a bow as he crossed the finish line 12 seconds ahead of the Sagan-led bunch.
What motivated his attack? "Stupidity maybe," Phinney replied.
"Sometimes you just have a voice inside that says go. I know I can go downhill faster than everyone else, mainly because I weigh more than everyone else. Something inside me said to go for it. I got to the bottom with a gap and said, 'well, I'm committed now.' I kept getting splits from the moto and it was looking good. The more I went the more painful it got, but I knew it would be worth it if I made it. It's the best way to win, like that."
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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.
