Photo Essay 3 years agoby Sam Wiebe

Geroge & Eric | Danny-fest Destiny

What is there to say about stage three of the Amgen Tour of California? The circuitous route from Pismo Beach to Morro Bay included only one small climb, a technical run-in, and an uphill drag to the finish - a course perfectly tailored for the popular world champion, Peter Sagan. The announcers knew he was going to win. The fans knew he was going to win. Even the other sprinters, if pressed, had to admit that he was probably going to win. Then he won.

Our boys from Rally did what they could. An incredibly tough stage two had taken its toll on the team, leaving riders injured, tired, upset. So, what do you do on a day when your squad is down and you know that the World Tour teams are going to control the break and make absolutely certain that the finish comes down to a field sprint? You put a man in the break. Why? Because that’s how you play the game – with dignity and respect. Because even though the break has zero chance for survival, it’s better to give it a go than to sit in the pack. And in this case, there’s only one man for the job…

Danny Pate

Danny Pate is a pro’s pro. Over the last seventeen years he’s seen it all and knows it’s his job to be up there, flogging himself for untold kilometers, churning through the rotation hundreds of times over the course of four hours. In some twisted way, this effort represents the true beauty of the sport. The struggle is as important as the victory. Even though Danny knows the break is ultimately doomed, he still needs to be there, giving the peloton a purpose and adding tension to an otherwise banal stage. When the charging peloton eventually sweeps him up with 16km to go, it comes as no surprise, and Danny pulls to the side and rejoins the group, his job done for the day. He’s helped make the race. Chapeau, Danny.
 

Out of respect for Danny’s effort, his career, and his decision to come back and compete in the USA, we offer this haiku.

Of racing abroad
Everyone thinks it’s so great
God bless Danny Pate
Danny Pate's Guide to Getting in the Break™
Pedal really hard with a couple other dudes
Look behind you
Ur in the break

We would be remiss if we failed to mention the outstanding stage three effort put forth by the upstanding citizens of San Luis Obispo, California.

Host City Spotlight: San Luis Obispo aka SLO

What’s a town to do when the fastest cyclists in the world blast through its streets for all of about 30 seconds? You embrace the inconvenience and throw a big old party. San Luis Obispo is blessed with beautiful weather and spectacular terrain, making it an active, cycling-sympathetic community. The town closed off several blocks of its impressive downtown shopping district and brought in bands, a live race feed, beer, and food, giving fans a great experience as the riders ripped past the intermediate sprint on their way up to Morro Bay. Oh, and Rally rider Jesse Anthony was there, imparting his knowledge of race tactics to the crowd and helping with commentary. SLO was a great scene and perhaps a nice model for other communities to follow as they look to extend the excitement the race brings as is whooshes past.

 

 

– Casey B. Gibson Race Gallery –

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