I drove out from Colorodo Springs to experience this one stage because 1) I knew it’s where the race would be decided, 2) I love the bike porn of time trial bikes and 3) I’ve heard the riding is good around the Solvang area (it is). Was it worth the 2 day drive? You bet. When Lance Armstrong announced his retirement and his plans to do the race, most of the elite UCI teams signed up and this was probably the greatest field ever assembled on US soil. Additionally, Amy was still in her first trimester and my projects at work were really quiet enabling me to take most of the week off. The start had truly aligned. I’ll never forget it.

Here are some of my favorites of the big name riders (click the thumbnail for the full size image):

Race winner Levi Leipheimer:

2009 ATOC Winner Levi Leipheimer

Here’s Lance Armstrong:

Lance Armstrong

Tyler Hamilton:

Tyler Hamilton

Christian Vande Velde:

Christian Vande Velde

Floyd Landis:

Floyd Landis

Michael Rogers:

Michael Rogers

Tom Danielson:

Tom Danielson

Tom Boonen:

Tom Boonen

Mark Cavendish:

Mark Cavendish

2008 Tour De France winner Carlos Sastre:

Carlos Sastre