April 21/07 10:23 am - Tour de Georgia: Stage 6 report, results & photos

Posted by Editoress on 04/21/07
 

Tour de Georgia Georgia USA

Coverage sponsored by: Maxxis

Photos by Jonathan Devich

Top sprinters "Fast" Freddy Rodriguez (USA) of Predictor-Lotto and Juan Jose Haedo (Arg) of Team CSC led the 108-man field sprint for a thrilling photo finish at Stone Mountain Park today. Rodriguez nosed past Haedo for his fourth Tour de Georgia stage win, becoming the all-time leader in stage wins in the five year history of the Tour de Georgia (Stages 3 and 4 in 2003, Stage 4 in 2006). Reigning USA Cycling Professional Road Race champion George Hincapie of the Discovery Channel Pro Cycling team finished third.

"I saw 200m to go and I went and I just wound up the speed. And I had really good legs and I was able to hold off Haedo by a wheel," said Rodriguez of the closely-contested finish.

The standings in the General Classification will remain unchanged, with 23-year-old Janez Brajkovic (Slo) of Discovery Channel holding a 12-second lead over American Christian VandeVelde of Team CSC. Prodir-Saunier Duval‚s David Canada Gracia remains in third place, three minutes and four seconds back.


Prerace, Amy Smolens spoke with Charles Dionne about his ride on Stage 5.

AS: You had a really good day for your Colavita/Sutter Home presented by Cooking Light teamate Anthony Colby, with a 3rd place. How did you survive the climb up Brasstown Bald?

CD: I was really good actually. I am proud of my team, Colavita/Sutter Home presented by Cooking Light. I think we did a great job. Best ride ever for Anthony Colby. But after that I did a good job for Tyler Wren, 11th on GC. I took him to the bottom of Brasstown Bald and let him go. Then I went as slow as I could go, without falling over.

My legs are ready for today and I think I can do something.

AS: You feel like you saved enough in your legs., after the TT and Brasstown Bald to go for it?

CD: I feel really good. It has been hard for everyone. I am a bit tired but so is everyone, so I am ready. Yeah.


Post race Amy spoke with Charles about Stage 6:

AS: How was your day in the saddle? Did Colavita/Sutter Home presented by Cooking Light have to cahsethe break, or where you leaving that to the other teams.

CD: No! Leave it to the other teams.We knew it was going to come down to Predictor-Lotto, Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team or CSC. Which is exactly what it did.

With 1km to go approximately 20 took the last corner and I moved in front of George (Hincapie) and jumped with 200m to go. But (Karl) Menzies was in front and his own teammates (Health Net presented by Maxxis) did not let him go on the right side, and we were squeezed onto the barricades. The whole group passed on the left, so I don't know where I ended up. 15th? (19th - ed). I am pissed! But I had super legs, I told all my guys that today was gonna be my day, but that's the final sprint. I had super legs so that's the positive thing.

AS: If you had good legs today, does that mean good legs tomorrow?

CD: Well if the legs were good today, they should be good tomorrow. I am going to try again. 1 more chance