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Tour de Georgia - 2.1
USA, April 19-24, 2005
Photography
Stage 5 - April 23: Gainesville to Brasstown Bald Mountain, 182.4km
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us
- Tom Danielson (Discovery Channel) climbs toward the top of Brasstown Bald mountain, shadowed by Levi Leipheimer (Gerolsteiner)
- The bunch rolls out from the start.
- Phonak and Health Net set the tempo.
- Phonak leads the group protecting the yellow jersey.
- Health Net strings out the bunch.
- The bunch heads up the first climb.
- On the way to the mountains.
- Tim Johnson (Jittery Joes) and Jason McKartney (Discovery) get away.
- The bunch on the first climb.
- Still going up.
- The peloton rolls through the scenic Georgia countryside.
- Floyd Landis (Phonak) riding easy in the bunch.
- Lance Armstrong (Discovery) already had a plan for the day.
- The beginning of the early break.
- Steep roads greeted the bunch.
- Jason McCartney (Discovery) drives the break.
- Lance Armstrong (Discovery) rides next to one of the races younger riders, Saul Raisen (Credit Agricole).
- A CSC rider tucks in for the descent.
- Geoff Kabush (Jittery Joes) rides in the group - today with fluoro green shades, yeah baby!
- Christian Van deVelde (CSC) and Chris Baldwin (Navigators) have a chat.
- Phonak sets the pace on the second climb.
- Tim Johnson (Jittery Joes) and Jason McCartney (Discovery) descend after the second climb.
- Lance Armstrong (Discovery) makes his move.
- Floyd Landis (Phonak) fights to stay with the attack.
- Christian Van deVelde (CSC) makes his move close to the finish.
- Tom Danielson (Discovery) leads Levi Leipheimer (Gerolsteiner) just after his hard attack.
- Tom Danielson (Discovery) leads Levi Leipheimer (Gerolsteiner).
- Tom Danielson (Discovery) crosses the finish line on top of Brass Town Bald.
- Lance Armstrong (Discovery) knows his teammate got the number one spot.
- Floyd Landis (Phonak) crosses the line not looking very happy.
- At the end of the day Tom Danielson (Discovery) takes the yellow jersey.
Images by Mark Zalewski
- Jason McCartney (Discovery Channel) leads an early break up the climb. McCartney was quite aggressive in many attacks today, including the longest with Tim Johnson (Jittery Joe's/Kalahari).
- Phonak keeps the pace high on the climbs, forced to chase after the early breaks. On second wheel, Canadian champion Gord Fraser (Health Net), last year's sprint winner, gives climbing a try.
- With the feed zone at the base of the first major climb, the Phonak boys had to eat and fly!
- The strung-out and less populated peloton drives from one climb to the next in the north Georgia mountains.
- Christian Vande Velde (CSC) gets out of the saddle during his late stage break.
Images by Trish Albert/Southeasterncycling.com
- The Tifosi waited in 0 degree C temperatures for the race to pass on Brasstown Bald. These fans showed they are indeed from the Southern US.
- Jittery Joes-Kalahari DS Michah Rice and friend decide to take advantage of the convertible team BMW car and ride down Brasstown in the 0 degree temperatures and snow.
- Tom Danielson (Discovery Channel) wins the stage atop Brasstown Bald. His face shows the pain.
- Levi Leipheimer (Gerolsteiner) was second.
- Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) is happy with his third place on the stage.
- Bobby Julich (CSC) finishes the Tour De Georgia's hardest stage.
- Trent Lowe (Jittery Joes) and Saul Raisin (Credit Agricole) congratulate each other on a well fought battle for the Best Young Rider Jersey.
- Georgia resident Nathan O'Neill (Navigators) shows the agony of the TDG's toughest stage.
- Caring for a tired Prodir rider after crossing the finish line.
- An LPR rider is not sure what he is eating, but it was so cold and snowy at the top of Brasstown Bald, that he did not care.
- Tim Johnson (Jittery Joes) was active in the day's main breakaway.
- Cyclingnews.com diarist John Lieswyn (Health Net p/b Maxxis) is glad to be done.
- Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) accepts the flowers for placing third on the stage.
- Sprint jersey winner Greg Henderson (Health Net p/b Maxxis) shivers as he accepts his awards.
Images by Doug Gravino/Southeasterncycling.com
- An elated Tom Danielson takes the stage win.
- Levi Leipheimer comes in 14 seconds behind Danielson.
- Bobby Julich cruises to the finish and takes fourth place.
- Tim Johnson shows the pain known as Brasstown Bald.
- A teammate helps Aurelien Clerc the last rider to finish before rest of the field exceeded the time limit.
- Tom Danielson takes the Tour de Georgia leader's jersey.
Images by Alicia Frese/www.freseframephotography.com
- Despite the weather, the "civilian" cyclists were on Hog Pen Gap all day long.
- Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) and company looked good as they crested the KOM at Hog Pen Gap.
- The second group comes through.
- Aaron Olson of Colavita Olive Oil-Sutter Home.
- Late April in Georgia, and the riders actually were riding through snow showers!
Stage 4 - April 22: Dalton to Dahlonega, 214.7km
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us
- Jose Luis Rubiera (Discovery) leads the first break of the day.
- Health Net sets the pace of the bunch to the first KOM.
- The bunch winds its way up the first climb.
- Vassili Davidenko (Navigators) leads teammate Mark Walters.
- Floyd Landis (Phonak) sits comfortably in the group.
- Peter Wrolich (Gerolsteiner) wednesday's stage winner, on one of todays climbs.
- Will Frischkorn (TIAA-CREF) keeps his knee warm during today's cold snap.
- Jose Luis Rubiera (Discovery) still leading the break near the end of the day.
- Jose Luis Rubiera (Discovery) digs deep.
- Viatcheslav Ekimov (Discovery) second place today, leads Levi Leipheimer (Gerolsteiner).
- The chase group climbs to the second KOM.
- Levi Leipheimer (Gerolsteiner) leads Lance Armstrong and Tom Danielson (Discovery).
- Lance Armstrong (Discovery) stayed tucked in the group today.
- Cesar Grajales (Navigators) and John Lieswyn (Health Net) get a break from the rain on one of the many climbs.
- Brian Vandborg (CSC) just beats out Viatchislev Ekimov (Discovery) for the win.
Images by Mark Zalewski
- The peloton
- Some respite from the climbing as the peloton descends through farmland
- Another very wet Georgia day
- The break makes its way throgh the Georgia mountains
- The leaders climb through the Georgia woods
Images by Trish Albert/Southeasterncycling.com
- Jason McCartney (Discovery Channel) shows the effort of being in the day's break.
- Trent Lowe (Best Young Rider Jersey-Jittery Joes-Kalahari) finishes with the front group.
- Nathan O'Neill (Navigators) finishes a tough stage.
- Michael Rich (Gerolsteiner) rides through the finish.
- An official tells race leader Floyd Landis , "Now Floyd, we need to promote cycling in the Southern US like NASCAR..."
- Marco Pinoti (Prodir) exclaims how hard a day in the saddle can be.
- Tony Cruz (Discovery) looks glad to be done.
- Marco Pinoto (Saunier Duval) placed third in today's stage.
- Viatcheslav Ekimov (Discovery) takes center stage for winning second place.
- Trent Lowe (Jittery Joes-Kalahari) is clearly happy to retain the Best Young Riders Jersey.
- Greg Henderson (Healthnet p/b Maxxis) retained the sprint leader's jersey.
- Mike Creed (Discovery) isn't at the Tour de Georgia this year, but his fan club is.
- Retired and pregnant T-Mobile Women's Pro Katrina Grove shows the beverage which she wishes she was drinking instead of water.
- Hail greeted spectators and racers at the top of the Woody's Gap KOM climb.
Images by Alicia Frese/www.freseframephotography.com
- Juan Jose Haedo of Colavita before the start of stage 4
- Phonak leads the way protecting the yellow jersey
- Coming out of Ellijay before the big thunderstorm
- Colavita coming through the finish on a day that saw some brutal weather, including a hail storm...
- Aaron Olson proudly wears the most aggressive rider jersey
- Dom Perras' mother, Micheline (middle), and fiance Elise (right) joined by friend, Cynthia (left)
Stage 3 - April 21: Rome time trial, 29.9km
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us
- Geoffry Lequatre (Credit Agricole).
- Floyd Landis (Phonak) showed that his strength isn't just in climbing to win today's TT.
- Tom Danielson (Discovery) on the way to seventh, the best placing for a Discovery Channel rider
- Levi Leipheimer (Gerolsteiner) on his way to a 6th place finish.
- Kirk Albers (Jelly Belly-Pool Gel).
- Nathan O'Neill (Navigators) rides to 5th place.
- Saul Raisin (Credit Agricole).
- Levi Leipheimer (Gerolsteiner) not exactly enjoying the conditions.
- Bobby Julich (CSC) had a good ride today for 4th place.
- Phil Zajicek (Navigators)
- David Zabriskie (CSC) on the way to an impressive second place.
- Tomasz Nose (Phonak) with Michael Barry (Discovery) creaping up on him in the distance.
- Floyd Landis (Phonak) waves from the podium after his stage win put him in the leader's jersey
Images by Trish Albert/Southeasterncycling.com
- Floyd Landis (Phonak) put himself into the leader jersey by winning the stage
- John Lieswyn (Health Net p/b Maxxis) in full flight after the final corner.
- Sprint Leader Greg Henderson (Health Net p/b Maxxis) rounds the corner.
- Jason McCarty (Discovery) concentrates.
- Chris Baldwin (Navigators) en route to 3rd place.
- What's this? Street Sprints?
- Australian TT Champion Nathan O'Neill (Navigators) crosses the finish line in the rain.
- Levi Leipheimer (Gerolsteiner) shows the effort of the day.
- Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) finishes in the Top 5.
Images by Mark Zalewski/Cyclingnews.com
- Floyd Landis (Phonak) warms up
- Viatcheslav Ekimov (Discovery Channel) heads out for an eighth-place ride
- Floyd Landis (Phonak) rolls up to the start
- Tom Danielson (Discovery Channel) had hoped for better than seventh.
- Bobby Julich (CSC) powers down the start ramp
Images by Alicia Frese/www.freseframephotography.com
- Juan José Haedo (Colavita Olive Oil - Sutter Home) gets ready to rumble....
- Gord Fraser (Health net) takes his turn on the slick deck.
- After the rain began you could see the concentration levels go up
- Tim Duggan (TIAA-CREF) countin' 'em down
- Greg Henderson (Health Net pb Maxxis) - the orange jersey rounds the corner
- Gustavo Artacho (Colavita Olive Oil - Sutter Home) pours it on as he approaches the last section of the TT
- Gotta get that time!
- Dominique Perras (Kodak Gallery - Sierra Nevada)
- Bobby Julich (CSC) rolls it home...
- Lance Armstrong finishes his last time trial in a race in the USA.
Images by Brad Rittenhouse
- Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) warms up before the TT.
- Levi Leipheimer (Gerolsteiner) decided he'd be able to drink on the way, without a water bottle...
- Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) rides in the TT, followed by a TV bike and scheered on by fans who braved the elements.
- Viatcheslav Ekimov (Discovery Channel) shows his usual impeccable TT style.
Images by Bill Parsons/www.sceniccityvelo.com
- Evan Elken (Jittery Joe's-Kalahari) in the time trial, 300m from the top of the Mount Alto climb.
- John Murphy (USA National) - very much here for the experience
- Andrea Tafi (Saunier Duval - Prodir) has been having a good time in his final season.
- Antonio Cruz (Discovery Channel) - tucked and hammering.
- Michael Rich (Gerolsteiner) looking powerful, though flatter courses bwetter suit the German TT specialist
- Phil Zajicek (Navigators Insurance) flies up in the time trial
- Saul Raisin (Credit Agricole) looks for the summit of the Mount Alto climb.
- Floyd Landis (Phonak) took the stage and the GC - the next American hero?
- Levi Leipheimer (Gerolsteiner) turned in a solid ride despite not being enthralled with the weather.
- Geoff Kabush (Jittery Joe's-Kalahari) may well be regretting the choice of eyewear from both a practical and fashion angle.
- Robbie Hunter (Phonak) was bumped out of the lead in the TT.
- Peter Wrolich (Gerolsteiner) - the previous day's winner
Stage 2 - April 20: Fayetteville - Rome, 197.5 km
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us
- David O'Laughlin (Navigators) leads the group.
- The bunch gets strung out chasing an early break.
- Lance Armstrong (Discovery) puts the hammer down.
- Andrea Tafi (Saunier Duval-Prodir) stayed away for nearly 60 miles today.
- Viatchislav Ekimov (Discovery) leads the bunch on the final climb.
- Andrea Tafi (Saunier Duval-Prodir) is about to get caught by the group after a long hard day.
- Fans await the bunch as it makes its way to the KOM.
- Mariano Friedick (Jelly Belly-Pool Gel) makes it up the final climb.
- Mark McCormack (Colovita Olive Oil-Sutter Home) leads Denmark's national champion Michael Blaudzun (CSC).
- The peloton climbs today's KOM hill in Rome.jpg
- Lance Armstrong (Discovery) powers along. Armstrong's third place finish puts him ina strong position for tomorrow's time trial.
- The sprint for the line.
- Peter Wrolich (Gerolsteiner) takes the win.
- It's a Tafi sandwich!
Images by Alicia Frese/www.freseframephotography.com
- The folks in Peachtree City turned out in huge numbers
- HealthNet leads the way through Peachtree City
- Andrea Tafi made a blistering effort for the stage. He snagged the KOM, but was caught in the final circuits.
- The Clock Tower Hill was beginning to take its "toll" on everyone.
- For a few moments , it looked as if we would haved a repeat of last years stage.
- Peter Wrolich (Gerolsteiner) takes the stage!
Images by Bill Parsons/www.sceniccityvelo.com/
- Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) leads out the sprint
- Levi Leipheimer (Gerolsteiner, right) comes up to try and assist Peter Wrolich (behind Armstrong)
- Leipheimer gets on the front and puts the hammer down
- Leipheimer powers the finale
- Behind Armstrong, Wrolich waits for his moment
- Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) gets a kiss from the podium girls
Images by Mark Zalewski/Cyclingnews
- Mavic's neutral service bikes are the new Scott frames.
- Not a bad-looking neutral service bike, eh?
- Campagnolo drivetrains on the Mavic bikes.
- The new Cosmic Carbones get a prominent place on the roof rack. Riders can keep dreaming of getting one as a spare.
- An inside look at the HealthNet/Maxxis team RV, a new and much-welcomed edition for Gord Fraser and company.
- Cappuccino, anyone?
Stage 1 - April 19: Augusta - Macon, 207.4km
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us
- The group rolls out of Augusta.
- Floyd Landis (Phonak) and Christian Van deVelde (CSC) have a chat.
- Michael Barry (Discovery) rides next to Floyd Landis (Phonak) and Lance Armstrong (Discovery).
- The pace was slow for the first stage.
- Finally some action.
- The peloton rolls through the scenic Georgia countryside.
- Lance Armstrong (Discovery) chats with Bobby Julich (CSC).
- Most of the day the group stayed together.
- Andrea Tafi (Saunier Duval) enjoying some American racing.
- Dan Bowman (TIAA-CREF) got up to a 13 minute lead on the bunch today.
- Teams come to the front late in the race.
- Riders stream past the historic courthouse in Sparta, GA.
- Health Net/Maxxis sends riders to the front of the group.
- Marco Pinotti (Saunier Duval-Prodir) about to get swallowed by the bunch.
- Robbie Hunter (Phonak) wins the opening stage of the Tour de Georgia
- Robbie Hunter (Phonak) enjoys the spoils of his win today.
Pre-race press conference, Armstrong annoucement & teams presentation
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by
Beth Seliga/
- Craig Lewis (Team TIAA-CREF) is introduced to the crowds at the Tour de Georgia presentation.
- Dave Towle chats to the TIAA-CREF boys about the coming race.
- Espoir national champion Ian MacGregor explains how he earned the stars and stripes jersey and custom painted Javelin bike.
- Team Jelly Belly was a hit when their soigneur, Carrie Lechuga, tossed jelly beans to the crowd.
- Canadian national champion Gord Fraser talks about Team HealthNet's great performance in the 2004 Dodge Tour de Georgia.
- Levi Leipheimer's Gerolsteiner team has traveled a long way to race in this year's Tour de Georgia.
- Floyd Landis (Phonak Hearing Systems) talks about his team.
- The press corps for the 2005 Tour de Georgia reaches a record number.
- Lance Armstrong announces his retirement from professional cycling.
- The teams are presented with the music of a live band playing.
- The Tour de Georgia podium girls were selected through a rigorous application process that included writing an essay on civil rights.
Images by Celia Cole
- Lance makes 'the' announcement and is comfortable with the decision - but Johan isn't so sure...
- This will be a face very much missed in the peloton post-July.
