AMGEN Tour of California Stage 8: Perfect Leadout, Boonen and Ciolek 2-3

AMGEN Tour of California Stage 8: Perfect Leadout, Boonen and Ciolek 2-3

The final, 72km Stage 8 of AMGEN Tour of California was set up perfectly by Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team. The leadout train dominated the front of the peloton, in preparation for the sprint of Tom Boonen in hopes that he could get a win in Los Angeles. Boonen took 2nd by a wheel's length to Peter Sagan (Liquigas-Cannondale), who won five out of eight AMGEN Tour of California stages. Gerald Ciolek was also right there at the finish, rounding out the podium in third place on Sunday.

"I had a perfect leadout, Gerald put me in the best position to do my sprint but I was just not good enough to beat Sagan," Boonen said. "But, in general I am happy about my performance at the Tour of California. We had a great week. Unfortunately we missed a stage victory that could have improved our week even more. We worked hard as a team and I think I come back from here with a good feeling and I am ready for the upcoming races."

A seven rider breakaway stayed up the last kilometers, and Nathan Haas (Garmin-Barracuda), who was in the break, attacked. He had more than 17 seconds but was caught with less than 5km to go.

That was when the leadout began forming for Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team