StageFour

Seaside-San Luis Obispo

135 miles

What was billed as the Tour of California's postcard stage unfolded as a slow, wet, wind-whipped march down the California coastline. After almost seven hours of racing Dominique Rollin (Toyota/United) attacked the 11 rider strong breakaway and rode solo to a stunning win. George Hincapie (High Road) won the two-up sprint for second while the remnants of the breakaway were swept up by the charging peloton.

The day's biggest story may well have been the number of riders who abandoned during the brutal stage four. Reports of a stomach bug sweeping through the peloton took several riders, while several more retired as hypothermia set in. Stage four claimed 5 Gerolsteiner riders, Washington residents Tom Peterson(Slipstream) and Johnny Sundt(Kelly Benefits) and Toyota/United super sprinter Ivan Dominguez. Race leader Levi Leipheimer(Astana) maintained position and rolled in with the pack.

San Luis Obispo is a picturesque North Coast town providing some great riding through the surrounding wineries and olive farms. The morning started off promising as your humble author put in a solid 45 miles on the bike, but the rain moved in around 11 AM and never let up. The storm interrupted satellite feeds to the finish village, spectators were kept in the dark for much of the afternoon in regards to the race's progress.

Upon arrival the riders faced a hard, wet right turn less than 200 meters from the finish. Rollin's solo show thwarted what would have been a dicey sprint.

Tomorrow brings an interesting time-trial in the faux-Danish village, and cycling mecca, Solvang. Several of the world's best time-trialists are hot on the heels of Leipheimer, who will try and repeat last year's victory on this same course.

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Words and photos by Joe King.