Tour de Georgia - 2.HC

USA, April 16-22, 2007

Photography

Stage 7 - April 22: Atlanta circuit race, 123.9km

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Images by Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us

• JJ Haedo (CSC) takes the win ahead of Fast Freddy Rodriguez (Predictor Lotto) and Sergey Lagutin (Navigator's Insurance)
• Janez Brajkovic (Discovery) signs in at the beginning of the stage.
• Dave Zabriskie and Christian Vandevelde (CSC) waiting for the start.
• The Tour gets underway.
• Ben Jacques-Maynes (Priority Health), Cesar Grajales (Jittery Joes) and Kirk O'Bee (Navigators) tried to get a break going early in the race.
• Atlanta provided the backdrop for the today's last stage.
• The group picks up the pace to bring back the break.
• Cesar Grajales (Jittery Joes) was on the gas all day.
• The group comes through on lap three.
• Toyota-United stay together in the bunch.
• Rolling through the finish area.
• CSC comes to the front to get things under control.
• Predictor-Lotto also helped keep things active today.
• A little bit of green in the city.
• The bunch leading into the uphill sprint.
• Team Discovery also took home the team classification.
• Cesar Grajales (Jittery Joes) took home the most aggressive rider jersey, even with his separated shoulder.
• Janez Brajkovic (Discovery Channel) overall winner with Christian Vandevelde (CSC) in second and David Canada (Saunier Duval-Prodir) in third.
• Janez Brajkovic (Discovery Channel) happy about his new trophy.

Images by Trish Albert/www.southeasterncycling.com

• The moto crew of the Tour de Georgia.
• Ivan Dominguez (Toyota-United) signs autographs at the start.
• Tom Danielson (Discovery) chats on the start line.
• The peloton could see the Atlanta skyline.
• Lucas Euser (Slipstream) stands on one of the course's many climbs.
• Daniele Contrini (Saunier Duval) hangs on.
• Hubert Schwab (Quick.Step) glances over his shoulder.
• CSC comes to the front to try to keep the group together for their sprinter JJ Haedo.
• Kirk O'Bee (Health Net) leads Cesar Grajales (Jittery Joe's) in the break down a hill.
• JJ Haedo (CSC) wins stage seven.
• The stage winners: 3rd Sergey Lagutin (Navigators), Winner JJ Haedo (CSC), and 2nd place Freddy Rodriguez (Predictor-Lotto).
• The overall jersey winners.
• The tradition of pouring the champagne over the winner's head.
• Overall winner Janez Brajkovic (Discovery) salutes the crowd from the podium.

Images by Doug Gravino/www.southeasterncycling.com

• Team CSC and Discovery on the front in downtown Atlanta.
• No horses or cows in today's photos as the peloton does nine circuits around downtown Atlanta.
• Riders speed onto historic Auburn Avenue in front of the Atlanta Flatiron Building.
• Young race leader Janez Brajkovic is protected in the peloton by super-domestiques George Hincapie and Tom Danielson.
• Team CSC's JJ Haedo beats Predictor-Lotto's Fast Freddie Rodriguez in the group sprint on the last stage of the 2007 Tour de Georgia.
• Stage seven winner JJ Haedo (Team CSC) flanked by 2nd placed Fred Rodriguez (Predictor-Lotto) and 3rd placed Sergey Lagutin (Navigators Insurance).
• The jersey winners: Cesar Grajales (Jittery Joe's), Ryder Hesjedal (Health Net), Janez Brajkovic (Discovery Channel) and JJ Haedo (Team CSC).
• Young winner Janez Brajkovic gets doused with champagne by his Discovery teammate Levi Leipheimer as George Hincapie and Tom Danielson look on.
• Discovery's Janez Brajkovic proudly accepts the winners trophy for the 2007 Tour de Georgia.
• Overall winner Janez Brajkovic (Discovery) with 2nd placed Christian Vandevelde (Team CSC) and 3rd placed David Canada Gracia (Saunier Duval).
• Despite missing the yellow jersey by only 12 seconds, CSC's Christian Vandevelde is all smiles at the post-race press conference.
• Cesar Grajales (Jittery Joes) won the most aggressive rider jersey for stage seven after leading a long breakaway despite having a separated shoulder and broken wrist.

Images by John Pierce/Photosport International

• The final podium Canada, Brajkovic and Vandevelde
• The peloton speeds along past the Atlanta skyline
• Brajkovic salutes from the podium for the overall classification
• Ryder Hesjedal wears the KOM jersey
• JJ takes the uphill sprint
• Haedo wins the sprint
• Brajkovic also won the best young rider competition
• The podium for the jersey winners: Cesar Grajales (Jittery Joe's), Ryder Hesjedal (Health Net), Janez Brajkovic (Discovery Channel) and JJ Haedo (Team CSC).
• Brajkovic gets support from Tom Danielson and Levi Leipheimer

Stage 6 - April 21: Lake Lanier Islands/Hall Co. to Stone Mountain Park , 182.9km

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Images by Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us

• Fast Freddy Rodriguez takes it on a bike throw
• Janez Brajkovic (Discovery) happy to sign some autographs for the fans.
• Levi Leipheimer (Discovery) rounds out the team autograph collection for this fan.
• The bunch rolls out past Lake Lanier.
• David Millar (Saunier Duval-Prodir) heads up an early break.
• Lots of farmland along todays course.
• David Millar (Saunier Duval-Prodir) keeps his head down trying to make the break stick.
• Janez Brajkovic (Discovery) spends another day in yellow.
• Ben Day (Navigators) having a little trouble with his gears during the day.
• A covered bridge along the course.
• A fan spends some time keeping race pace.
• The main group gets strung out while on the chase.
• Danny Pate (Slipstream) decides it's time to try to get away.
• Toyota-United and Discovery come to the front.
• Another break tries to get up the road.
• The break powers along.
• The mystery continues...where's Grover?
• Janez Brajkovic (Discovery) riding comfortably in the bunch.
• The group gets a little bunched up.
• Toyota-United and CSC start to work.
• The chase really starts to go hard.
• The peloton heads into Stone Mountain State Park.
• Olivier Kaisen (Predictor-Lotto) worked hard in the break that almost stayed away.
• Glen Chadwick (Navigators) spent another day working hard off the front.
• Fred Rodriguez (Predictor-Lotto) takes the stage win.
• Fred Rodriguez (Predictor-Lotto) happy about the day.
• The jersey leaders heading into the final day.

Images by Phoenix Sports Technology

• The sprint between Freddy Rodriguez (Predictor Lotto) and JJ Haedo (CSC) was close...
• ...no matter which way you look at it.

Images by Trish Albert/www.southeasterncycling.com

• The mobile announcers ride in the caravan to call the action to the crowds.
• Saunier Duval bikes ready to go.
• David Millar (Saunier Duval) signs autographs
• Levi Leipheimer (Discovery) on his way to the sign in.
• The peloton approaches the first sprint as seen from the Mavic car.
• The Mavic car exchanges a wheel with the Mavic moto on the go.
• The break: Olivier Kaisen (Predictor-Lotto), Maarten Wyants (Quick Step), and Glen Alan Chadwick (Navigators).
• Olivier Kaisen (Predictor-Lotto) drives the break.
• Ryder Hejedal (Health Net) in the King of the Mountains jersey gets his reward.
• The Jersey winners from Stage 6 are presented.

Images by Doug Gravino/www.southeasterncycling.com

• With some gold bling, Saunier Duval-Prodir really knows how to pimp out its Scott bikes.
• Due to his injury at Redlands, Jittery Joe's Cesar Grajales still needs a little pre-race bandaging.
• David Millar (Saunier Duval) gets his morning cup of coffee in the start area.
• Tyler Hamilton (Tinkoff) arrives at the sign-in area.
• You can't have a Tour de Georgia without some fiddle music on the podium.
• Stage winner Fred Rodriguez (Predictor-Lotto) and his son Aidan surrounded by second placed JJ Haedo (Team CSC) and third placed George Hincapie (Discovery Channel).
• Aidan Rodriguez and Julia Hincapie share the podium with their famous fathers.
• The media are out in force for the 2007 Tour de Georgia.
• The fans at Stone Mountain, Georgia enjoy watching the awards ceremony after Stage 6.
• Jersey winners (L-R): JJ Haedo (Team CSC), Maarten Wynants (Quick Step - Innergetic), Janez Brajkovic (Discovery Channel), and Ryder Hesjedal (Health Net).
• Fast Freddie Rodriguez (Predictor-Lotto) is happy about his win at the post-race press conference.
• Last year's winner Floyd Landis speaks to reporters about...well...you know the rest.

Images by John Pierce/Photosport International

• Photographers capture the peloton from a train tressle
• David Millar (Saunier Duval) flies past the camera
• The peloton approaches the feedzone
• Brajkovic rides along in his yellow jersey
• Brajkovic in yellow on the penultimate stage
• A horse and rider cheer the passing peloton
• The peloton snakes along one of Georgia's rural highways
• The bunch exits a covered bridge
• George Hincapie is showing form after coming back from a broken wrist
• Fred Rodriguez (Predictor-Lotto) wins with a bike throw
• The peloton passes Stone Mountain monument

Stage 5 - April 20: Dalton to Brasstown Bald/Towns Co. , 172.1km

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Images by Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us

• Levi Leipheimer (Discovery Channel) rolls in with a comfortable margin over teammate Tom Danielson, in second.
• The bunch rolls out of Dalton.
• Rolling through downtown Dalton.
• David McCann (Colovita/Sutter Home) heads up the Fort Mountain climb.
• Getting strung out heading into Ellijay.
• Christian Vandevelde (CSC) has a chat with teammate Jaun Jose Haedo.
• The peloton rolls through Ellijay.
• Ben Day (Navigators) spending his time in the break.
• Anthony Colby (Colovita/Sutter Home) pulls off the front as Alexandre Moos (BMC).
• Janez Brajkovic (Discovery) had things under control all day.
• George Hincapie (Discovery) stayed towards the front to monitor things.
• Passing by the oldest mill in Georgia.
• The break cranking it up to 5 minutes off the front.
• Phil Zajicek (Navigators) keeps things going in the break.
• Half through the day the brake was still going strong.
• Jittery Joes comes to the front.
• Jittery Joes spent a lot of time on the front today.
• David Millar (Saunier Duval-Prodir) worked hard at the front all day long.
• Cesar Grajales (Jittery Joes) kept things in check heading up to Brasstown Bald.
• Janez Brajkovic (Discovery) taking it easy on a decent.
• The green Georgia countryside.
• The powerhouse teams come to the front heading up to the last climb.
• Tom Danielson (Discovery) heads up the climbers group.
• Gilberto Simoni (Saunier Duval-Prodir) gets on the front on the Fort Mountain climb.
• Things get strung out along the way.
• A little trouble at the back of the field.
• Toyota-United tries to get something going.
• Tom Danielson (Discovery) sitting in during the day.
• Ryder Hesjdal (Healthnet) had a great ride today.
• Cesar Grajales (Jittery Joes) up front in good position for the climbs ahead.
• The break away further along in the stage.
• Getting a few adjustments on the road.
• Lush Georgia countryside.
• Jittery Joes and Saunier Duval power the chase.
• The break never gave up.
• The main bunch keeps the chase going.
• Janez Brajkovic (Discovery) looking comfortable in the main bunch.
• Michael Blaudzun (CSC) leads the break.
• David Millar (Saunier Duval-Prodir) strings out the whole field.
• The main group descending into Ellijay.
• Single file as the speeds pick up.
• Janez Brajkovic (Discovery) sits surrounded by teammates.
• The attack goes at the bottom of Brasstown Bald.
• Gilberto Simoni (Saunier Duval-Prodir) throws down the gauntlet at the base of the climb.
• The three that swallow up the break.
• Nathan O'Neill (Healthnet) came on strong once the roads got steep.
• John Devine (USA National Team) had a breakout ride today.
• Christian Vandevelde (CSC) tried hard to take time away from Janez Brajkovic.
• Danny Pate (Slipstream) gives it his all on the climb after being in the break.
• Danny Pate (Slipstream) gets some encouragement from fans.
• Levi Leipheimer (Discovery) finally decided it was time to go for the win.
• Levi Leipheimer (Discovery) gets brought up the climb by some fans.
• Anthony Colby (Colovita/Sutter Home) clearly happy with his third place today.
• Christian Vandevelde (CSC) leads through at the finish.
• Janez Brajkovic (Discovery) happy to hold onto the leaders jersey.
• Tyler Hamilton (Tinkoff Credit Systems) meets some happy family at the top of the mountain.
• The jerseys line up at the end of the day.
• Janez Brajkovic (Discovery) happy to keep his jersies.

Images by John Pierce/PhotoSport International

• Slovenian rider Janez Brajkovic (Discovery Channel) sports the yellow jersey on Stage 5.
• American Levi Leipheimer (Discovery Channel) claims another stage win on home soil.
• Janez Brajkovic (Discovery Channel) holds a 12 second advantage with two stages remaining.

Images by Doug Gravino/www.southeasterncycling.com

• Gilberto Simoni crosses the line in fifth place, clearly getting into form for the upcoming Giro d' Italia.
• 'Fast Freddy' Rodriguez was taking his time up the hill, saving his energy for tomorrow's sprint.
• Italian Quickstep rider Mauro Facci seems to be enjoying his Brasstown experience.
• The Devil that came down to Georgia was apparently skinny and young.
• Tinkoff's Pavel Brutt is chased by a giant M&M during the last kilometre of Brasstown Bald.
• Toyota-United's Ivan Dominguez prefers his stage finishes to be a bit flatter.
• Tyler Hamilton chats with the famous Phil Liggett after the finish of Stage 5.
• No UCI race would be complete without the anti-doping van.
• Discovery Channel's Levi Leipheimer and Tom Danielson chat about how they pulled off first and second place.
• Levi Leipheimer is clearly happy with his win on Brasstown Bald.
• Janez Brajkovic of Discovery Channel is beaming in his 2007 Tour de Georgia race leader's yellow jersey.

Images by Trish Albert/www.southeasterncycling.com

• The Brasstown Bald jersey winners
• David Millar (Saunier Duval) turns to head back to the team car.
• Phil Liggit and Bob Roll hanging out at the finish.
• Injured Cesar Grajales (Jittery Joes) rode through the pain.
• Phil Zajicek (Navigators) is happy to be finished.
• The feeling of a lot of riders today.
• Floyd Landis made an appearance at the finishline.

Stage 4 - April 19: Chickamauga/Walker Co. to Lookout Mountain ITT , 30.4km

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Images by Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us

• Brian Vandborg (Discovery) gives it his all.
• Chris Baldwin (Toyota-United) coming by about three and half minutes back.
• Jonathan Garcia (BMC) heads past.
• Karl Menzies (Healthnet) a little out of his element in the TT.
• David Millar (Saunier Duval-Prodir) had a good ride today for sixth place.
• Making a pass.
• Nathan O'Neill (Healthnet) comes by for third place.
• David Zabriskie (CSC) flies by finishing 41 seconds behind Leipheimer.
• Tom Danielson (Discovery) also had a good ride finishing in fourth.
• Fred Rodriguez (Predictor-Lotto) goes for a drink from his Camelbak.
• Tyler Wren (Colovita-Sutter Home) works his way up to the KOM.
• Tim Johnson (Healthnet) wearing the most aggressive rider jersey.
• Christian Vandevelde (CSC) will be one to watch on the climbs tomorrow.
• David Canada (Saunier Duval-Prodir), race leader, comes past.
• Davide Frattini (Colovita-Sutter Home) making good time up the hill.
• Ben Jacques-Maynes (Priority Health) rounded out the top 20 on today's difficult TT.
• Ruggero Marzoli (Tinkoff Credit Systems) looking happy to be racing in Georgia.
• Tyler Hamilton (Tinkoff Credit Systems) fighting hard on the climb.
• Rory Sutherland (Healthnet) giving it his all.
• Levi Leipheimer (Discovery) makes a pass near the KOM.
• Levi Leipheimer (Discovery) coming on strong.
• Ivan Stevic (Toyota-United) brings up the sprinters.
• Getting a little encouragement along the way.
• Scott Nydam (BMC) heading to the top.
• Jeff Louder (Healthnet) fighting to hold onto the KOM jersey.
• Janez Brajkovic (Discovery) on time for the top spot.
• Janez Brajkovic (Discovery) heading in for first place.

Images by Trish Albert/www.southeasterncycling.com

• Levi Leipheimer (Discovery) gets ready to unleash the bubbly.
• An unusual podium shot: Nathan O'Neill (Healthnet), Levi Leipheimer (Discovery), and David Zabriskie (CSC).
• The Tour de Georgia jersey winners.
• US TT Champion David Zabriskie (CSC) gives it his all.
• Levi Leipheimer (Discovery) won the stage.
• Christophe Brandt (Predictor-Lotto).
• George Hincapie (Discovery Channel).
• Former U23 world TT champion Danny Pate (Slipstream) grimaces.
• Aussie TT Champion Nathan O'Neill (Health Net) stands on the climb.
• David Millar (Saunier Duval) looks around the bend.
• Phil Zajicek (Navigators) during the time trial
• The devil didn't make it to Georgia.
• A Tinkoff rider climbs the mountain.

Images by John Pierce/PhotoSport International

• David Millar (Saunier Duval - Prodir)
• Danny Pate (Team Slipstream) came in 1.55 minutes behind stage winner Leipheimer.
• Nathan O'neill (Health Net) gave his all knowing he's no longer in contention for the general classification.
• Tyler Hamilton (Tinkoff)
• American David Zabriskie (Team CSC) finished 41 seconds behind Leipheimer.
• Discovery Channel had four riders in the top 10, including Thomas Danielson.
• Slovenia's Janez Brajkovic (Discovery Channel)
• Janez Brajkovic (Slo) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team
• After finishing 12th today, Team CSC's Vandevelde will have his former Olympian father in the team car tomorrow.
• After finishing second yesterday, David Canada Gracia (Saunier Duval - Prodir) came home in 39th position on today's stage.
• Denmark's Martin Pedersen (Team CSC) rolls away.
• Chris Wherry (Toyota-United) takes off from the Maxxis start ramp.
• Briton David Millar (Saunier Duval - Prodir) apexes a turn.
• Nathan O'neill (Health Net) had a sneak peek at the ITT stage last month.
• An exhausted Tyler Hamilton (Tinkoff) during the individual time trial.
• American George Hincapie (Discovery Channel).
• Second placed David Zabriskie (Team CSC).
• Leipheimer may be out of contention on general classification, but he was convincing in victory on stage 4.

Images by Michael David Murphy/www.michaeldavidmurphy.com

• General classification leader Janez Brajkovic (Discovery Channel).
• The legs of American Time Trial Champion David Zabriskie (Team CSC), hard at work.
• Rubens Bertogliati (Saunier Duval - Prodir) holds third place on GC.
• Australia's Nathan O'neill (Health Net) finished third on the time trial stage.
• Thomas Danielson (Discovery Channel) had a strong ride to fourth position.
• American Jeffry Louder (Health Net) is 2.20 minutes behind race leader Brajkovic.
• Belgian Dominique Cornu (Predictor-Lotto) took fifth place on the 30.4 kilometre time trial.
• Tyler Hamilton (Tinkoff) on his return to racing at home in America.
• David Millar (Saunier Duval - Prodir) was the highest finishing British rider on today's stage.
• America's Lucas Euser (Team Slipstream) holds ninth place on general classification.

Stage 3 - April 18: Rome to Chattanooga, TN , 190.2km

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Images by Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us

• Phil Zajicek (Navigators) was a big hit with the fans today.
• Brian Vandborg (Discovery) gets things rolling right from the start.
• Tight switchbacks on the route out of Rome.
• The break starts to take shape.
• The lead group starts working smoothly together.
• The peloton rolls past a pond along the way.
• Daniele Contrini (Tinkoff Credit Systems) aware of losing the leader jersey today.
• The bunch rolls past another lake along the route.
• Heading towards Chattanooga.
• Passing by some old rail cars in the sprint town of Summerville.
• Christian Vandevelde (Team CSC) was looking strong in the break all day.
• It was a long lonely road for the break today.
• The main bunch gets strung out through the green Georgia countryside.
• David Zabriskie (Team CSC) has a chat with the medical crew.
• George Hincapie (Discovery) loads up with water bottles from the team car.
• Ben Jacques-Maynes (Priority Health) spent the day sporting the KOM jersey.
• George Hincapie (Discovery) moves through the field to hand out bottles.
• The bunch keeping things moving... barely.
• Christian Vandevelde (Team CSC) checks riders behind him on the descent.
• The group making its way past more ponds.
• Janez Brajkovic (Discovery) became the team's top placed GC rider today.
• The break still rolling along.
• Daniele Contrini (Tinkoff Credit Systems) catching back up to the field.
• Tinkoff Credit Systems did spend a little time on the front working for the jersey.
• Tim Johnson (Health Net) drove the break all day, earning the most aggressive rider jersey.
• Team BMC comes to the front to do a little work.
• Kevin Seeldrayers (Quickstep-Innergetic) tried hard to get away on the last climb but didn't quite make it.
• Rubens Bertogliati (Saunier Duval-Prodir) and Kevin Seeldrayers (Quickstep-Innergetic) trying to open up a gap on the rest of the break.
• Gianni Meersman (Discovery Channel) takes the win in a sprint against his remaining breakaway companions.
• Gianni Meersman (Discovery) gets the win after a long day in the saddle.
• Ciaran Power (Navigators) spends time in the medical tent before heading to the hospital.

Images by John Pierce/Photosport International

• Discovery's young gun Janez Brajkovic drives the escape.
• David Canada (Saunier Duval) marked by Brajkovic and Gianni Meersman (Discovery).
• Gianni Meersman (Discovery) wins the sprint comfortably in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
• Yeah! Meersman was pumped with his win.
• The jersey wearers after stage three (l-r): Daniele Contrini (Tinkoff), Tim Johnson and Jeffry Louder (Health Net), David Canada (Saunier Duval) and Janez Brajkovic (Discovery).
• The breakaway kicks up dust on the dirt roads of Georgia
• A sluggish peloton was content to give a long leash to the break
• Lovely Georgia scenery
• Brajkovic takes a bottle
• Meersman in the break

Images by Trish Albert/www.southeasterncycling.com

• Cesar Grajales (Jittery Joes) is interviewed by Versus.
• Ivan Dominguez's (Toyota United) prototype Fuji
• Contrasts The Jittery Joes camp chairs and the Discovery Channel bus
• Stage 2's Most Aggressive Rider Austin King (Jittery Joes) signs autographs
• Stage 2 winner Ivan Stevic (Toyota United)
• George Hincapie (Discovery) on his way to sign in
• Euro hairstyles invade Georgia
• Tyler Hamilton (Tinkoff) on his way to sign in.
• Tom Danielson and Freddy Rodriguez (Predictor Lotto) shake hands.
• David Zabriskie (CSC) jokes around at the start.
• Janez Brajkowiz (Discovery) celebrates his stage win.
• New Yellow Jersey David Canada (SaunierDuval)
• The stage 3 jersey winners

Stage 2 - April 17: Thomaston to Rome , 217.2km

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Images by Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us

• Ivan Stevic (Toyota-United) claims a comfortable victory on the 217.2 kilometre Stage 2.
• The group gets under way early on in the day.
• The peloton passes an old barn and pond during the day.
• Riders pass the courthouse in Newnan for the first sprint of the day.
• Tyler Hamilton (Tinkoff Credit Systems) sitting comfortably in the pack.
• The bunch crosses a river with stacks to a local power plant in the background.
• The race begins to head towards the rolling hills of Georgia.
• The bunch passes some furry fans of the race.
• Riders get strung out heading into the last sprint of the day.
• Glen Chadwick (Navigators) was the man of the day.
• Austin King (Jittery Joe's) rode super hard throughout the day to stay in the break.
• Garritt Peltonen (Priority Health) also rode his hardest to last most of the day in the break.
• The bunch finally gets strung out a little later in the day.
• The picturesque and windy roads of Georgia.
• Chris Wherry (Toyota United) comes to the front to get some time back on the break.
• The break trying its best to keep things going.
• Chris Wherry (Toyota United) still sitting on the front.
• The main bunch sits up for a bit after the feed zone.
• Chris Wherry (Toyota United) hammers up the last KOM.
• Glen Chadwick (Navigators) makes it up the KOM after a long hard day.
• Ivan Dominguez (Toyota United) hoping for that fast sprint finish.
• A couple of BMC riders make their way up the KOM.
• Ivan Stevic (Toyota United) enjoying the win.
• Ahhhhh... the spoils of a long hard day.

Images by John Pierce/Photosport International

• More idyllic scenery at the 2007 Tour de Georgia.
• The main breakaway of the day: Austin King (Jittery Joe's), Glen Chadwick (Navigators) and Garrett Peltonen (Priority Health).
• Aussie Glen Chadwick (Navigators) working hard in the break.
• Ivan Stevic (Toyota-United Pro) anticipated the finale perfectly.
• Stevic remembered how last year's stage unfolded when Yaroslav Popovych triumphed in similar circumstances.
• JJ Haedo (Team CSC) wins the sprint for second.
• Tyler Hamilton (Tinkoff) crosses the line in Rome.
• A happy Stevic interviewed post-race.
• Race leader Daniele Contrini (Tinkoff) enjoying his visit to Georgia.

Stage 1 - April 16: Peachtree City to Macon , 153km

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Images by Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us

• George Hincapie (Discovery) signs autographs at the start.
• Tyler Hamilton (Tinkoff Credit Systems) back racing in the US.
• Tyler Hamilton (Tinkoff Credit Systems) has a chat with Levi Leipheimer (Discovery).
• Riders pass through the first sprint town of Zebulon, GA.
• The bunch gets strung out going after the break.
• Nice farmland amongst the Georgia countryside.
• Tim Johnson (HealthNet) and Danny Pate (Slipstream) have a chat on the road.
• Viktor Rapinski (Navigators) leads the break of the day.
• The bunch taking it easy mid-way through the day.
• Henk Vogels (Toyota-United) has a chat with the team car.
• Viktor Rapinski (Navigators) and Doug Ollerenshaw (HealthNet) doing the work on the front.
• Riders pass an old mill along the route.
• Navgators comes to the front.
• Viktor Rapinski (Navigators) tried his best to make something happen today.
• The breaks gets up to five minutes ahead of the bunch.
• Doug Ollerenshaw (HealthNet) leads Mike Sayers (BMC).
• The group races alongside some rail cars earlier in the day.
• CSC comes to the front to bring the break a little closer.
• Doug Ollerenshaw (HealthNet) driving the break.
• The main group meandering along.
• Daniele Contrini (Tinkoff Credit Systems) coming to the front to drive the pace.
• Doug Ollerenshaw (HealthNet) spending lots of time up front.
• Discovery starts to come to the front after the feed zone.
• Doug Ollerenshaw (HealthNet)
• Toyota-United coming to the front for the sprint.
• Daniele Contrini (Tinkoff Credit Systems)
• Ryder Hesjedal (HealthNet)
• Italy's Daniele Contrini (Tinkoff Credit Systems) takes victory on the first stage of the 2007 Tour de Georgia.
• Daniele Contrini (Tinkoff Credit Systems)

Images by John Pierce/Photosport International

• The peloton cruising through scenic Georgia countryside.
• Hopefully there were no fires in the race's vicinity today.
• Daniele Contrini (Tinkoff Credit Systems) powers away in the break.
• There was little impetus in the peloton for an organised chase.
• Discovery Channel eventually came forward to keep the gap manageable.
• Contrini attacks Doug Ollerenshaw (HealthNet) and Mike Sayers (BMC) on the finishing circuits.
• The Italian was exceptionally strong on the final lap.
• Daniele Contrini takes victory on stage one in Macon.
• Ben Day (Navigators) crosses for third.
• Contrini is the first leader of the 2007 Tour de Georgia.
• All that suffering was worthwhile...

Images by Trish Albert/www.southeasterncycling.com

• The remnants of the day's break: Daniele Contrini (Tinkoff), Doug Ollerenshaw (Health Net) and Viktor Rapinski (Navigators) enter the finishing circuits in Macon.
• Toyota United came to the front and chased to try to bring the break back.
• Scott Moniger (BMC) concentrates.
• Danile Contrini (Tinkoff) looks back to see how far ahead he is.
• Ivan Stevic (Toyota United) digs deep to lead the chase.
• Levi Leiphemier (Discovery Channel) sits in the pack.
• Daniele Contrini (Tinkoff) salutes the crowd as he crosses the finish line.
• Ryder Hesjedal (Health Net) wins the field sprint.
• The stage podium (l-r): third placed Ben Day (Navigators), winner Daniele Contrini (Tinkoff) and second placed Doug Ollerenshaw (Health Net).
• Best young rider Tommy Nankervis (Jittery Joe's) could get used to this!
• Kevin Livingston translates via cell phone for Daniele Contrini (Tinkoff) at the press conference.
• Tyler Hamilton faces tough questions from the media at his first race in the US since serving his doping suspension.