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Stage 8
Sunday, February 22
Rancho Bernardo to Escondido
96.8 miles
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The BISSELL Pro Cycling put everything they had left into the final day of the Tour of California. The course was the most difficult stage with 5 KOMs including Palomar Mountain which is the highest point ever reached in the Tour of California.
Ben Jacques-Maynes was in a break right from the start. A group of 9 broke away before the first climb. The group went over the Highland Valley Road climb with Ben taking 3rd on this KOM. The group continued to work together but was reduced to just 4 on the second KOM. Ben went off with Jason McCartney (Saxo Bank), Andy Schleck (Saxo Bank), and Serge Pauwels (Cervelo). Ben got 2nd on the second KOM of the day. Chase groups continued to push the leaders until all were reabsorbed. In the meantime, Ben had put out an incredible effort over 2 KOMs and 1 intermediate sprint.
Continuous attacks occurred on the climb up Palomar Mountain. The long arduous climb without any respite took its toll in Ben’s knee, and he was forced to abandon at the top of the climb.
On the final KOM, Cole Grade, Frank Schleck (Saxo Bank) accelerated, and the only one that could follow was Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas). The duo maintained their lead to the finish with Schleck taking the win.
The group 40 seconds behind contained 29 riders including BISSELL’s Jeremy Vennell. Jeremy came through with a fabulous finish at 19th place for the stage which secured him 26th in the overall GC. Tom Zirbel and Frank Pipp also put forth amazing effort and finished 36th and 43rd in the overall GC, respectively.
The BISSELL Team rode an outstanding race. The early poor weather, the added stages, and the toughest field of riders certainly made this the most difficult Tour of California. A tour which saw 136 riders start only had 84 at the finish.
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