Tour de Georgia - 2.HC

USA, April 21-27, 2008

Photography

Stage 7 - April 27: Atlanta circuit race, 62.7mi/100.9km

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Images by Jonathan Devich/

• Greg Henderson (High Road) secures the points jersey with the final stage win.
• Riders take to the line for Stage 7.
• Neil Shirley (Jittery Joe’s) was happy to be starting in the most aggressive jersey.
• Levi Leipheimer (Astana) and Jason McCartney (Team CSC) have a chat on the line.
• Things gets underway in downtown Atlanta.
• Team High Road goes to the front right away.
• A little bit of retro architecture in downtown.
• Things got strung out right from the gun.
• Downtown Atlanta provided the backdrop for Stage 7.
• Greg Henderson (High Road) already had the sprint jersey but it wasn’t enough for him today.
• Things get strung out as the break puts more time on the field.
• High Road single file on the front.
• The main field at full speed heading back into downtown.
• The day’s break had representation from many teams, though with only one each, HealthNet-Maxxis and Bissell chose to sit-on.
• Danny Pate (Slipstream) leads Jason McCartney (Team CSC) who ended up securing the king of the mountains jersey.
• Hilton Clarke (Toyota United) sits on the front of the break.
• Kanstantin Sivtsov (High Road) shows the effort of wearing the yellow jersey.
• George Hincapie (High Road) working at the front to bring the break back.
• The break stays organized to get a one minute gap on the field.
• A birds eye view of the break.
• The field in hot pursuit.
• The peloton passes through the start/finish area on the long run in to the finish.
• The break just passes the start/finish line with the main group off in the distance.
• High Road did its duty today, sitting at the front for race leader Kanstantin Sivtsov.
• With two laps to go Rock Racing came to the front to get things set up for its sprinter Fred Rodriguez.
• Doug Ollerenshaw (Rock Racing) comes to the front for Rock Racing.
• Kanstantin Sivtsov (High Road) held on to his lead on today’s technical course.
• Greg Henderson (High Road) came up fast on JJ Haedo (Team CSC) to take the win.
• Greg Henderson (High Road) celebrates his win.
• It was all celebration for High Road after the finish.
• Today's podium with Kanstantin Sivtsov (High Road) in first, JJ Haedo (Team CSC) second and Andrew Pinfold (Symmetrics) third.
• Kanstantin Sivtsov (High Road) looking pretty happy with his reward for the win.
• The overall podium winners, Kanstantin Sivtsov (High Road) first, Trent Lowe (Slipstream) second and Levi Leipheimer (Astana) third.
• Jason McCartney (Team CSC) captured the king of the mountains jersey.
• The jersey winners on stage at the finish.
• Santiago Botero (Rock Racing) signs autographs for fans after the race.

Images by Mitch Clinton/www.clintonphoto.com

• The latest in stylish rainwear in Atlanta.
• Trent Lowe (Slipstream Chipotle) and Kanstantin Siutsou (High Road).
• A break starts to form with the pack in the back
• George Hincapie (High Road) leads the pack.
• George Hincapie (High Road) finished the event in 13th place.
• JJ Haedo (Team CSC) and stage winner Gregory Henderson (High Road) were all mouth and tongue.
• Tour de Georgia Stage 7 podium.
• All the race leaders jerseys.
• Tour de Georgia final general classification podium.

Stage 6 - April 26: Blairsvill/Union County - Brasstown Bald/Towns County, 88.4mi/142.3km

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Images by Jonathan Devich/

• Kanstantin Sivtsov (Team High Road) has plenty of time to celebrate his win.
• Kanstantin Sivtsov (High Road) looked like he knew he was going to have a good day at the start.
• The race rolls past the Blairsville courthouse.
• Stage 6 gets under way.
• Riders head out and on there way to Brasstown Bald.
• Brad McGee (Team CSC) still in the bunch before getting in the break.
• Aaron Olson (Bissell) heading out for the day.
• The field passes a reservoir along the route.
• Astana stayed in control during the first part of the race.
• Slipstream comes to the front as things get more animated.
• The break of the day gets up the road with Neil Shirley (Jittery Joe’s) in the lead.
• The break comes up the first sprint line.
• Svein Tuft (Symmetrics) was taking hard pulls in the break all day.
• Jason McCartney (Team CSC) comes to the front.
• An old barn along the route greets the riders after the feed zone.
• The main bunch tackles Unicoi Gap.
• Tyler Hamilton (Rock Racing) comes through a little of the back.
• Kayle Leogrande (Rock Racing) hoping for the flats.
• Jason McCartney (Team CSC) still powering the break.
• A chase group formed to try and bring in the four leaders.
• Neil Shirley (Jittery Joe’s) heads off on a solo attack.
• Dave Zabriskie leading the Slipstream train.
• Bradley McGee (Team CSC) tries to get off the front.
• Neil Shirley (Jittery Joe’s) looks back to check on his gap.
• Horse country today.
• The break still away.
• The field from shoulder-to-shoulder as the road steepens again.
• It was a long lonely road for today’s break.
• Jason McCartney (Team CSC) keeping the pressure on.
• The main field begins to climb.
• Tom Danielson (Slipstream) sets tempo at the front.
• Riders can just be seen behind the break as the gap comes down.
• Inigo Cuesta (Team CSC) made a charge at the front with four kilometers to go.
• Levi Leipheimer (Astana) comes right to the front as the road steepens.
• Three riders made the final selection on the way to the top.
• Kanstantin Sivtsov (High Road) has had enough and takes off on his own.
• Kanstantin Sivtsov (High Road) unhooks his power meter after crossing the line.
• Todays podium with Kanstantin Sivtsov (High Road) first, Trent Lowe (Slipstream) second and Levi Leipheimer (Astana) third.
• Neil Shirley (Jittery Joe’s) took home a well deserved most aggressive rider jersey for today’s stage.
• Kanstantin Sivtsov (High Road) poses for the excited fans at the finish.
• Kanstantin Sivtsov (High Road) was very excited after his great ride today.

Images by Mitch Clinton/www.clintonphoto.com

• The pack starts the day
• Tyler Farrar (Slipstream Chipotle) makes his way back to the pack after and early service
• The leaders with 600 meters to go
• Oscar Sevilla (Rock Racing) with only 600 meters to the finish was just 8 secons off the leaders
• Chris Horner (Astana)
• David Zabriskie (Slipstream Chipotle) was happy to get a little helping hand

Images by Trish Albert /southeasterncycling.com

• Stage Winner and new yellow jersey winner Kanstantin Sivtsov (High Road grimaces in pain.
• Levi Leipheimer (Astana) is shadowed by Slipstream's Trent Lowe.
• A Toyota United rider concentrates around the final corner.
• A Symmetrics rider is almost at the top.
• King of the Mountain Jason McCartney (CSC) enjoys the winner's spoils.
• Stage six jersey winners: Points - Greg Henderson (High Road), Young Rider - Trent Lowe (Slipstream), Yellow Jersey - Kanstantin Sivtsov (High Road), King of the Mountains - Jason McCartney (CSC), Most Aggressive - Neil Shirley (Jittery Joes)

Images by Kurt Jambretz /www.actionimages.cc

• Ivan Dominguez (Toyota-United) advertises for a little help up the climb.
• The scene at the start in Blairsville.
• Frank Pipp (HealthNet-Maxxis) speaks with the start/finish area marshal.
• Victor Hugo Pena (Rock Racing) rolls and talks with a guest journalist from Colombia.
• Trent Lowe (Slipstream/Chipotle) waits patiently for the Start of stage 6.
• Juan Jose Haedo (Team CSC) borrows Ivan Dominguez’s sign at the start.
• Chris Horner (Astana) rolls up to the sign-in area.
• The line for the shuttle bus that brings fans up the final five kilometres of Brasstown Bald.
• Kanstantin Sivtsov (Team High Road) crests the final summit on Brasstown Bald and heads for the line.
• Kanstantin Sivtsov (Team High Road) brings it home solo for the win.
• Trent Lowe (Slipstream/Chipotle) follows Kanstantin Sivtsov (Team High Road) to the line.
• Rory Sutherland (HealthNet-Maxxis) crosses the line with the look of pain etched on his face.
• Moises Aldape Chavez (Team Type 1) finishes a respectable sixth place on the day.
• The rider in the Best Young Rider Jersey Christian Meier (Symmetris) crosses the line after a tough stage.
• George Hincapie (Team High Road) gives the thumbs up as he crosses the line.
• Chris Horner (Astana) with a look of relief as he completed his ride.
• Ben Jaques Maynes (Bissell Pro Cycling) rode a great race, but missed the move today.
• Neil Shirley (Jittery Joe’s) won the most aggressive rider award with an impressive solo effort.
• Jason McCartney (Team CSC) receives kisses from the podium girls as he accepts his King of the Mountains Jersey.
• Levi Leiphheimer (Astana) acknowledges the crowd as he steps onto the podium.
• Trent Lowe (Slipstream/Chipotle) was second on the day.
• Podium (L-R): Trent Lowe (Slipstream/Chipotle), Kanstantin Sivtsov (Team High Road), and Levi Leiphheimer (Astana).
• The parting shot at the awards ceremony on Brasstown Bald.

Stage 5 - April 25: Suwanee - Dahlonega, 133.4mi/214.7km

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Images by Jonathan Devich/

• Richard England (Bissell) takes a big win for his team.
• Toyota United gets its rides lined up and ready for the day.
• Greg Henderson (High Road) and Dominique Rollin (Toyota United) making the fans happy.
• Brad McGee (Team CSC) was a huge hit with the young fans.
• Tom Zirbel (Bissell) leads the first break of the day.
• The peloton gets a little strung-out as the break gets up the road.
• Toyota United has a little team meeting out on the road.
• Ed King (Bissell) swings off the front of the break after taking a pull.
• Things get more scenic as we head into the north Georgia mountains.
• The bunch was not too worried about the group up the road earlier in the day.
• Tim Johnson (HealthNet-Maxxis) rode hard today and captured the most aggressive rider jersey.
• Things stayed strung-out for most of the day.
• Astana kept a rider at the front the whole day to control things.
• Rolly Georgia countryside was the theme of the day.
• The main bunch rolls past the oldest mill in Georgia.
• Thomas Lovkvist (High Road) brings up bottles from the team car.
• Strung out heading off of the KOM.
• Cameron Evans (Symmetrics) heads up for another pull in the break.
• The four in the break worked well together all day.
• Valery Kobzarenko (Team Type 1) going after some KOM points.
• Svein Tuft (Symmetrics) riding strong.
• Doug Ollerenshaw (Rock Racing) almost to the top of the KOM.
• Greg Henderson (High Road) comes by a little off the back at the second KOM.
• Teams stack up on the front as the finish looms.
• High Road gets the group strung-out.
• Chechu Rubiera (Astana) sits snuggly in the bunch.
• Richard England (Bissell) led the sprint out of the last turn.
• Richard England (Bissell) looks back to make sure he got the win.
• Yes...I got it!
• Andre Greipel (High Road) checks the clock as he rolls across the line.
• George Hincapie (High Road) gets presented with a special trophy for his third place in Dahlonega.
• The podium from today with Richard England (Bissell) in first, Rory Sutherland (HealthNet-Maxxis) in second and George Hincapie (High Road) third.
• Trent Lowe (Slipstream) took off his best young rider jersey today for the leader's jersey.
• The jerseys heading into tomorrow.

Images by Mitch Clinton/www.clintonphoto.com

• The pack cases the break early in the race
• Most aggressive rider, Tim Johnson (HealthNet-Maxxis)
• Fred Rodriguez (Rock Racing)
• Richard England (Bissell) celebrates his victory.
• Tim Johnson (HealthNet-Maxxis) struggles through the victory kisses.

Images by Kurt Jambretz /www.actionimages.cc

• Justin England (Toyota-United) takes a moment to sign a few autographs for fans.
• A young fan came to the start to cheer for his favorite rider.
• Juan Jose Haedo (Team CSC) checks his earpiece as he gets ready to go.
• An inspirational message printed on the seat posts of the Slipstream/Chipotle riders.
• There were many cheering school children along the route.
• Victor Hugo Pena (Rock Racing) prepares to climb to the KOM.
• The peloton let four riders go and didn’t seem to interested in chasing.
• Richard England (Bissell Pro Cycling) sprints home for the win.
• Tim Johnson (HealthNet-Maxxis) won the most aggressive rider jersey for his hard work in the break.
• The Tour De Georgia podium girls.
• George Hincapie (High Road) receives the spoils of his third place placing.
• Richard England (Bissell Pro Cycling) hoists his locally made award in the air.
• Podium (L-R): George Hincapie (High Road), Richard England (Bissell Pro Cycling), and Rory Sutherland (HealthNet-Maxxis).
• Trent Lowe (High Road) in yellow after a great ride today.

Images by John Pierce/Photosport International

• Greg Henderson smiles in the lead as Tyler Farrar looks on.
• The kilometre 0 sign is handheld in Georgia.
• The riders are starting to line up as stage 5 is about to take off.
• There were a ton of spectators lining the road.

Stage 4 - April 24: Road Atlanta (TTT), 10mi/16.1km

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Images by Jonathan Devich/

• Team Slipstream rode to victory in the team time trial, but it cost them the shot at the yellow jersey.
• The show is about to start at Road Atlanta.
• A Porsche race car takes to the track to put on a show for the fans, a lay down a bit of rubber on the track.
• A race motorbike shows how to take a turn at over 100mph.
• Team High Road and Team Type 1 take a practice lap on the track.
• Bissell checks out the rolly course.
• Team Type 1 comes around on a practice lap.
• BMC has a look around the race track.
• George Hincapie talks about strategy to the rest of the High Road team.
• Corey Collier (HealthNet-Maxxis) still made it out after his vicious crash yesterday.
• Tom Zirbel comes through on the front of the Bissell train.
• The GE Trek-Marco Polo team gets up the first climb.
• HealthNet-Maxxis tackles the tough climb just after the start.
• Jittery Joe’s kept organized on the first lap.
• Frank Pip leads HealthNet-Maxxis after the climb.
• Gerolsteiner comes by on its way to a seventh place finish.
• Jittery Joe’s still going strong.
• Bissell leans into turn seven.
• Team CSC comes by with Jason McCartney driving the pace.
• JJ Haedo passes by off the back of Team CSC's line-up after dropping his chain on the climb.
• Jelly Belly finished 1’10' off the blistering pace.
• Tom Danielson leading the Slipstream team on to its winning time.
• Christian Vandevelde pulling hard at the front for Slipstream.
• Nicholas Sanderson comes to the front for Jelly Belly.
• Team Type 1 comes through with a time 56 seconds off the winning time.
• Rock Racing keeps the hammer down to make the top 10.
• Team Type 1 with one lap to go.
• Michael Creed sitting on the front for Rock Racing.
• BMC winds its way through the S turns.
• Symmetrics tackles the climb near the finish.
• BMC breaks over the top of the last climb.
• Mike Sayers comes through a little off the back of BMC.
• Symmetrics nears the finish.
• Dominique Rollin leads Toyota United.
• Toyota United crests the last hill.
• Levi Leipheimer took long hard pulls for his Astana team.
• Levi Leipheimer pulling hard for his Astana team-mates.
• Slipstream screams past on the way to the win.
• Andre Greipel stays aero while leading the High Road team.
• George Hincapie takes a hard pull for the High Road team.
• Team High Road approaching one kilometre to go.
• Team High Road went flat out, but couldn't take the lead in the end.
• Chann McRae accepts the trophy for the Slipstream team's win.
• Trent Lowe (Slipstream) took over the best young rider jersey after today's stage.

Images by Mitch Clinton/www.clintonphoto.com

• Astana blew apart on the technical course, but still finished second.
• Team Trek Marco Polo makes their way over the rollers
• Jittery Joe's
• Team CSC
• David Zabriskie leads the slipstream team into a downhill corner
• And then there were 5! But they would loose one more to finish with 4
• Rock Racing in tight formation
• Rock Racing's Tyler Hamilton fights up the hill
• Team BMC
• Levi Leipheimer (Astana) working hard and not looking too happy
• Toyota United flies on the downhill
• Team High Road passes the 1km to go marker

Images by John Pierce/Photosport International

• Team CSC set the fastest early time but were surpassed by Slipstream.
• David Zabriskie leads Slipstream in his US National TT Champion jersey.
• Astana takes one of the turns along the twisty course.
• Chris Horner leads the Astana train and then Rubiera pulls through.
• The high pace of Slipstream jettisoned even Danny Pate, who did his work and then dropped off.
• Slipstream ended with four riders Vande Velde, Danielson, Lowe and Zabriskie.
• Astana sprinted up the first climb and perhaps went a bit too hard.
• Astana was down to six after the first lap and lost one more quickly.
• Levi Leipheimer detonated his Astana team in search of stage glory and time on the GC.
• High Road crests the hill which was quite a nasty little climb.
• Team High Road sprints to the line with yellow jersey Greg Henderson firmly in tow.
• Henderson put everything into the time trial and looked strong throughout.
• Motorcycle multi world champion Kevin Schwantz joins Slipstream in celebration of their win.
• Greg Henderson was pleased to keep the jersey another day.
• The Devil came down to Georgia… and gave a push to Fuyu Li, who flatted after the first lap.
• Jittery Joe's put in a solid effort.
• Slipstream enjoys the stage podium.
• Greg Henderson gets another yellow jersey for Team High Road.

Stage 3 - April 23: Washington - Gainesville, 108.2mi/174.1km

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Images by Jonathan Devich/

• Greg Henderson (High Road) takes out Stage 3 of the Tour de Georgia.
• The race gets ready to leave from historic Washington, Georgia.
• The first break of the day tries to get some time on the field.
• The main bunch gets strung out to bring back the break.
• The break that stuck for most of the day forms.
• Ahhhh...the pretty flowers.
• Ivan Dominguez (Toyota United) looking smooth in the bunch.
• Corey Collier (HealthNet-Maxxis) looked a little worse for the wear after his crash.
• Frank Pip (HealthNet-Maxxis) checks his gap on the field.
• The field gets a little sideways as things slow down a little.
• Rhys Pollock (GE Trek-Marco Polo) rode in the most aggressive jersey today.
• Not a marshmallow in a field, the bunch passes a hay bail.
• Freddy Rodriguez (Rock Racing) is finding the wins hard to come by so far.
• Rory Sutherland (HealthNet-Maxxis) always happy to see the photographer.
• Levi Leipheimer (Astana) tucked in and going hard.
• Getting a little off the back.
• Frank Pip (HealthNet-Maxxis) leads the break.
• Ivan Dominguez (Toyota United) stayed safe throughout the day.
• Levi Leipheimer (Astana), George Hincapie (High Road), and Ivan Dominguez (Toyota United) come to the front to shut things down after the crash.
• Scott Zwizanski (Bissell) made it into today's break.
• The most aggressive rider jersey and king of the mountains jersey ride next to each other.
• Scott Zwizanski (Bissell) giving it his all at the front of the break.
• Children at an elementary school cheer the break as it passes by.
• Toyota United spent time on the front brining back the break and protecting its leader.
• Ivan Dominguez (Toyota United) stays surrounded by team-mates and out of trouble.
• Team CSC comes to the front with about 20 miles to go.
• Ivan Dominguez (Toyota United) spends his last day in yellow.
• Another attack tries to get up the road.
• The main bunch passes another school along the route.
• Rolling through the farmlands of Georgia.
• Michael Blaudzun (Team CSC) gets on the front to bring back the break.
• Rory Sutherland (HealthNet-Maxxis) launches an attack on the finishing circuit.
• Greg Henderson (High Road) comes to the line next to team-mate Andre Greipel after his super fast lead-out.
• Greg Henderson (High Road) does an interview after his big win.
• Podium: Greg Henderson (High Road) in first, Andre Greipel (High Road) second and Tyler Farrar (Slipstream) third.

Images by Mitch Clinton/www.clintonphoto.com

• High Road leads the pack in chasing down the break.
• Just looks like a drive in the park, doesn't it.
• Tim Johnson (HealthNet-Maxxis) and Freddy Rodriguez (Rock Racing) enter the finishing circuit and are just a few miles fro the line.
• George Hincapie (High Road) set up his team-mates today.

Images by Kurt Jambretz /www.actionimages.cc

• The Team Type 1 boys looked as if they had a few tricks up their sleeves before the start.
• The scene at the start as the colour guard presented the flag.
• Bernard Van Ulden (Jelly Belly) gets things started with an early attack.
• Robert Förster (Gerolsteiner) leads the chase down a small hill.
• The peloton passed a school outside of Comer to the cheers of the students.
• Life moves a little slower in some parts of Georgia.
• The peloton didn’t seem to mind that the break was over four minutes up the road.
• A view from above as the field rolled through the Georgia countryside.
• Matt Crane (HealthNet-Maxxis) and a Jittery Joe’s rider give it a go.
• Dominique Rollin (Toyota-United) heads the field as the pace intensifies.
• The field found some motivation and caught the two escapees.
• A small group of four riders escape in the early going.
• The riders didn’t even pause to enjoy the Georgian architecture.
• The breakaway riders were working well together and gained over four minutes on the field.
• The peloton was a blur as they went in search of the breakaway riders.
• Toyota-United came to the front and started the chase.
• Bobby Julich (Team CSC) made a move to bridge up to the break, but Toyota-United responded quickly.
• The break continued to add time to their lead.
• As the miles clicked by the peloton started to get restless.
• The peloton was all back together as they entered the finishing circuits.
• Tim Johnson (HealthNet-Maxxis) on the finishing circuits.
• Greg Henderson (Team High Road) wins the downhill sprint
• Greg Henderson (Team High Road) celebrates through the line
• Podium (L-R): Andre Greipel (Team High Road), Greg Henderson (Team High Road), and Tyler Farrar (Slipstream/Chipolte).
• Andre Greipel (Team High Road) receives a double kiss from the podium girls.
• Frank Pipp (HealthNet-Maxxis) was awarded the King of the Mountains jersey.

Stage 2 - April 22: Statesboro - Augusta, 116.9mi/188.1km

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by Jonathan Devich/

• Juan Jose Haedo (Team CSC) takes a surprise win on stage two. The rider was unsure of whether his injured wrist would allow him to sprint.
• The bunch stayed unorganized for the first part of the race as riders tried to get away.
• Jittery Joe’s was active at the front right from the gun.
• Cameron Evans (Symmetrics) comes to the front to drive the bunch.
• Ed King (Bissell) rides in the bunch.
• Endre Greipel (High Road) takes it easy through a tight turn.
• Matt Shriver (Jittery Joe’s) leads George Hincapie (High Road).
• Santiago Botero (Rock Racing) waiting for the mountains to launch his attacks.
• The complicated dash on the time board moto.
• The bunch passes a fountain along the route.
• Frank Pip (Healthnet) ended up with the climber's jersey at the end of the day.
• Bringing bottles up to the team.
• Michael Schar (Astana) gets back to the group after his crash in the feed zone.
• David Zabriskie (Slipstream) sporting the pirate look.
• Things start to get strung out as the day progresses.
• Tight quarters in the bunch.
• The break away with Rhys Pollock (GE Trek-Marco Polo) leading Bryce Mead (Jelly Belly) and Justin England (Toyota United).
• Astana comes to the front.
• Justin England (Toyota United) spent lots of time alone of the front.
• The bunch passes the entryway to one of the plantations along the route.
• The scenic trees of the Georgia countryside.
• Leaving the sprint town of Millen, Georgia.
• Type 1 tried hard to get a team-mate up the road today.
• Michael Schar (Astana) and Fabio Calabria (Team Type 1) have a pileup in the feed zone.
• The aftermath of the feed zone crash.
• Passing by one of the fields of flowers along the route.
• A lone ex-tree greeted the bunch mid-race.
• High Road starts to work at the front to get things under control.
• Justin England (Toyota United) leads the break while it still has a good gap on the field.
• The break continues to work well together.
• Rhys Pollock (GE Trek-Marco Polo) ended up with the most aggressive rider jersey today.
• The peloton starts to get some time back on the break.
• Andre Greipel (High Road) peeks out from behind his teammates.
• Danny Pate (Slipstream) leads the group the first time up towards the KOM.
• It was a hard one to call on the line.
• JJ Haedo (Team CSC) tells how it all went down.
• The stage podium with JJ Haedo (Team CSC) first, Greg Henderson (High Road) second and Ivan Dominguez (Toyota United) in third.
• Ivan Dominguez (Toyota United) basks in the glow of the leader's jersey for another day.
• The jerseys heading into tomorrow.

Images by Mitch Clinton/www.clintonphoto.com

• JJ Haedo (Toyota United) contemplates his victory salute at the end of the day.
• Nicholas Sanderson (Jelly Belly) rounds the turn after the first sprint line.
• Ivan Dominguez (Toyota United) takes it easy after the second sprint line.
• JJ Haedo (Toyota United) takes the sprint.
• Podium: Greg Henderson (High Road), JJ Haedo (Team CSC), and Ivan Dominguez (Toyota).

Images by Kurt Jambretz /www.actionimages.cc

• Ben Day (Toyota-United) signs an autograph for a fan on his way to sign in.
• Tyler Farrar (Slipstream/Chipotle) waits patiently for the start of today’s stage.
• Ivan Dominguez (Toyota-United) waves to the crowd as he makes his way to the line.
• Thomas Fothen (Gerolsteiner) rolls through the intermediate sprint in Sardis.
• Sardis Georgia is a quaint little town with many family-owned businesses.
• Justin England (Toyota-United) went off the front early and put over four minutes into the field.
• The break grew to three as a pair of riders bridged up to Justin England (Toyota-United).
• The peloton didn’t seem too excited about chasing the break.
• Slipstream-Chipotle went to the front once the race hit the finishing circuits
• Big Karl Menzies (HealthNet-Maxxis) was in the mix in the final laps.
• JJ Haedo (Team CSC) sprints home for the win.
• David Galvin (BMC Pro Cycling) was caught up in a crash on the final circuits.
• Cody Stevenson (Jittery Joe’s) rolled in favouring his right arm from a mishap in the final corner.
• Podium (L-R): Greg Henderson (High Road), Juan Jose Haedo (CSC), and Ivan Dominguez (Toyota-United).
• Ivan Dominguez (Toyota-United) in yellow again after Stage 2.
• Frank Pipp (HealthNet-Maxxis) acknowledges the crowd with a wave and a shrug as he steps on stage to receive his KOM jersey.
• Juan Jose Haedo (Team CSC) enjoys a double kiss for his stage win.

Stage 1 - April 21: Tybee Island - Savannah, 70.4mi/113.3km

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Images by Jonathan Devich/

• Ivan Dominguez (Toyota United) gets the opening stage in the 6th Tour de Georgia.
• The beach at Tybee Island provided the scenic backdrop for the start of todays stage.
• The historic Tybee Island lighthouse looms over the peloton.
• The bunch crosses the causeway that brought the race to the mainland from Tybee Island.
• The marshes and of the intracoastal waterway line the road to Tybee Island.
• Things start to happen as riders begin to get off the front.
• Jason McCartney (CSC) rides in the bunch on the way to Savannah.
• Riders get a little more serious as the pace picks up.
• Train tracks caused some problems today with riders getting flats on the crossings.
• The intermediate sprint gets going with Tyler Farrar (Slipstream) winding it up against Greg Henderson (High Road).
• Tyler Farrar (Slipstream) just gets it on the line.
• The break starts to materialize.
• Bernard Van Ulden (Jelly Belly) works at the front of the break.
• The break continues to get a little more time on the bunch.
• Chris Baldwin (Toyota United) brings teammate Ivan Dominguez back up to the main bunch.
• Ivan Stevich (Toyota United) keeping the break rolling along.
• Smooth work in the break got them up to an advantage of 1’20” at one point.
• Gerolsteiner comes to the front to get the break in check.
• The Gerolsteiner team drives the pace to bring back the escapees.
• Gerolsteiner did much of the work hoping for a stage win.
• Scott Nydam (BMC) was most aggressive.
• Ivan Stevic (Toyota) wears the bands of B World Champion.
• The break of six only gained just over a minute, and was never a serious threat to the sprinters.
• The Astana team leads as the finish draws near.
• Ivan Dominguez (Toyota United) describes how he outfoxed the ProTour sprinters.
• Dominguez is descended upon by the press after taking the win.
• Nic Sanderson (Jelly Belly) pips Förster but could not get past Dominguez.
• The podium for jersey winners.
• Most aggressive Scott Nydam with stage winner Dominguez and points leader Sanderson.

Images by John Pierce/Photosport International

• Tyler Farrar (Slipstream) takes out an intermediate sprint ahead of Greg Henderson (High Road) and Ivan Stevic (Toyota)
• Ivan Dominguez (Toyota United) takes stage one ahead of Jelly Belly's Nic Sanderson.
• Dominguez took the overall classification thanks to time bonuses on the finish line.

Images by Kurt Jambretz /www.actionimages.cc

• Levi Leipheimer (Astana) looking relaxed before the start.
• Bobby Julich (CSC) shares a moment with Ivan Dominguez (Toyota-United) during call-ups.
• Rory Sutherland (HealthNet-Maxxis) on the line and ready to go.
• They're off and racing... one parade lap on Tybee Island and then out to the open road.
• It’s great to see Ivan Stevic (Toyota-United) back in the peloton for his first race of the season.
• George Hincapie (High Road) prepares for the start.
• The field rolls down a side street on a neutral circuit just after the start.
• Many enthusiastic young cycling fans were on hand for the start.
• Ivan Dominguez (Toyota-United) dominates the field sprint for the win.
• Ivan Dominguez (Toyota-United) takes the podium for the jersey presentation.
• Nicholas Sanderson (Jelly Belly) occupies the second step of the podium.
• Scott Nydam (BMC Pro Cycling) receives the best young rider’s jersey.
• Scott Nydam (BMC Pro Cycling) enjoys the jersey presentation.
• Ivan Dominguez (Toyota-United) in yellow after the first stage.
• Ivan Dominguez (Toyota-United) enjoys the spoils of his victory.
• All today’s jersey winners take to the stage (L-R): Scott Nydam (BMC Pro Cycling), Ivan Dominguez (Toyota-United), and Nicholas Sanderson (Jelly Belly).

Images by Mitch Clinton/www.clintonphoto.com

• The pack closing in on the feed zone on Stage 1.
• The pack and some of the entourage on the opening day.
• Podium (L-R): Nicholas Sanderson (Jelly Belly), Ivan Dominguez (Toyota United) and Robert Forster (Gerolsteiner).
• The leader's jerseys: Most aggressive, Scott Nydam (BMC), leader, Ivan Dominguez (Toyota United) and best young rider, Nicholas Sanderson (Jelly Belly).