Stage 4: San José to Modesto

Total Time: 4:55
Distance 121 miles
Stage placing: 84th
Average heart rate: 149
Max heart rate: 182
Average cadence: 84
Average watts: 211w (276w normalized)
Max watts: 1167w
TSS: 243
KJ: 3884
Vertical Feet Climbed: 6355

Stage 4 of the Amgen Tour of California was not as challenging as the two previous days even though there was a Category 1 climb early in the stage. Sierra Road certainly stung the legs but did little to disrupt the overall classification. Once the riders were over Sierra Rod and through the challenging hills just east of san Jose the riders descended a very nasty descente ending in Patterson, CA. Once the hills were left behind the next challenge became the wind and crashes.

Stage 4 of the Amgen Tour of California was not as challenging as the two previous days even though the course traversed up the Category 1 Sierra Road early in the stage. That climb plus the next few certainly stung the legs and many of the riders described how the stage was overall very tiring due to the rough and twisty roads. The stage ended in a sprint won by Francesco Chicchi of Liquigas and did little to disrupt the overall classification.

Once the riders were over Sierra Road and through the challenging hills just east of San Jose the riders' next challenge became the wind and crashes. The last 40kms were made dangerous by cross winds and the riders themselves battling for position before the final two finish circuits in Modesto.

Crash Up Derby
Thomson is the work horse for Fly V australia and when the team's general classification riders need help he's the first to lend a hand. Today Thomson was appointed to not only look out for Phil Zajicek, the team's best placed rider, but also the team's sprinters Jonathan Cantwell and Bernie Sulzberger. Unfortunately both of these riders were involved in the very same crash with 30k to go in the race.

Sulzberger was the worst off. He landed in the bottom of the pile-up and was the last to get going. He banged his right knee pretty good and it took a bit of time to straighten his bike out. By the time he got going Jay Thomson was right next to him pacing him back onto the bunch, along with Fly V australia's Ben Day. The stress of it all took more out of him than the actual effort which is good. However, on the final circuits Sulzberger crashed again and had to limp in a couple of minutes down after having to change bikes.

The Fly V australia team though had a successful day by placing Jonathan Cantwell 5th. He could have placed better though if he hadn't pulled his foot out of his shoe due to a loose buckle which was dislodged within his crash.

Darren Lill of Team fly V australia stage file can be downloaded here.

Click on the image to view and download today's file.