The Race of Truth - Solvang Time Trial

TOP: Yellow jersey wearer (race leader) Levi Leipheimer readies himself in the starting ramp

2nd: World Champion Fabian Cancillara fills the lungs before entering the start ramp

3rd: US Time Trial Champion Dave Zabriske heads toward bike weigh-in

4th: George Hincape test his position after a mechanical alteration

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Today we head up to Solvang, a very cute (albeit hokey) little town just north of Santa Barbara. Solvang is modeled after a Danish town, complete with snowflake artwork, metal roofs, and really bad food. In fact, we had far and away the worst breakfast of the trip in town. The race today is a time trial, often called "The Race of Truth" since it's just one man against himself. Each racer starts 1 minute apart, and rides till he either passes out or finishes. It's likely that the overall race will be decided today, and it's a very tight competition with Levi Leipheimer leading, but about 8 other cyclists within a minute of him.

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The race course is really nicely done, such that you can watch the cyclists take off from the start ramp, and then walk just one block and see the finishing chute. Plus, numerous massive outdoor TV screens for the spectators to follow the progress on the road. We skip the first hour or so, but then head over to watch the studs take off. We see them all...Cippolini, Fiere, Bettini, basically anyone whose name ends in a vowel. As it gets near time for the top 10 to leave, the hustle and bustle aproaches a fever pitch.

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I migrate down behind the start gate, and literally can talk to every rider from about a foot away...very cool. Their bikes are incredible, probably $10k-$20k apiece. Each rider comes into the start facility, has his bike weighed (there is a minimum weight requirement for safety purposes), then has a few minutes to compose himself, stretch out, our whatever. It's most interesting to watch everyone's pre-race ritual...George talks to the fans, Fabian sits nearly motionless and deep breathes, Levi is a dick to his mechanic.

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The most anticipated race looks to be Fabian, currently in second, but world road race champion, versus Levi, currently the race leader, and last year's overall race winner. Both phenominal time trial riders, and both looking very studly today.

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The final racers are away, and we hustle the block over to see the finishers.

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"I could been a contender" Lumpy out