The queen stage of the Tour of California was hard but for me it was not spectacular and without stress. Because I knew
that I would not be able to stay with the climbers at a stage over five mountains, I have let myself fallen into the
grupetto that was created at the first climb. In the end about 60 riders rode together to the finish.
With 218 kilometres, we have the longest stage of this Tour on our programme today. It will lead us in the south,
we will finish in San Luis Obispo, the official domicile of Team High Road and residence of team manager Bob Stapleton. Of
course we want to perform well there, and the stage seems to be something for the fast guys again. Because the final full
of curves is more suited for Mark Cavendish as for me we decided that we will ride for him in a possible bunch sprint.
Unfortunately we have to ride without Adama Hansen and Edvald Boasson Hagen since yesterday. It seems that a
virus here knocked out several riders, the man in yellow [Tyler Farrar, editor] had to abandone yesterday. I feel good and
I hope we can finish this Tour with six riders.
