April 24, 2005 – The climbing continued today in the 2005 Dodge Tour de Georgia with the much feared stage-5 trek that took the riders over three rated climbs before hitting the torturous ascent of the HC (out-of-category) climb to the top of Brasstown Bald, the highest point in Georgia. This is a very popular stage for the fans as they get to see their favorites up close as they race at about 25Km/Hr up the steep grade. Even with strong winds, a temperature of 32-degrees (f), and occasional snow flurries, the crowds camped out early to get the best vantage point of the racers on the final 8Km of the slope.

This stage was the scene of a breakout ride for Navigators’ Cesar Grajales (then with Jittery Joe’s) last year as he took a coveted stage-win on this very challenging hill. Although the Navigators squad didn’t manage the stage victory this year, a stellar ride by Nathan O’Neill saw him in the final selection of 15 following the category-1 climb of Hogpen Gap.

With the day’s action centered on the final climbs, it was another hard day for the team of race leader, Floyd Landis (Phonak). Following the bonus sprint in Clarkesville, an early break of 7 escaped the grip of the peloton to keep the pressure on the leader (GC). Once the terrain turned upwards for the first time, the Discovery Channel squad turned on the jets for real and began dismantling the Phonak team. Eager to join in on the work were the riders from CSC. Over the first two climbs, with each climb getting harder, the inevitable splitting and re-grouping occurred.

The final selection saw a group of 4 joined by a group of 6, which was soon joined by a group of 5. Heading into the final climb, the lead group consisted of race leader Landis, Navigators’ Nathan O’Neill, Lance Armstrong, Jose Azevedo, Tom Danielson (all Discovery Channel), Bobby Julich, Christian Vande Velde, Andy Schleck, Dave Zabriskie, Brian Vandborg (all CSC), Marco Pinotti and Nico Fritsch (both Saunier-Duval), Saul Raisin (Credit Agricole), Levi Leipheimer (Gerolsteiner), Justin England (Health Net), and Jittery Joe’s Trent Lowe. Vande Velde attacked the group and quickly gained 1:30 on the chasers.

On the main climb, the fireworks began and the gap to Vande Velde evaporated. With world-class climbers racing up a world-class climb, the fans had a great opportunity to see exciting racing by top competitors and teams. Grinding up through the many curves, the group splintered and the tactics became a mere formality as the fastest climbers charged up the hill, leaving each rider to survive the best he could. The first to the summit was Tom Danielson, followed by Leipheimer, then Armstrong. O’Neill crossed the line in 14th, with one more day of racing in The Peach State.

(Unofficial)
Stage-5:
1. Tom Danielson (Discovery Channel)
2. Levi Leipheimer (Gerolsteiner)
3. Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel)

Overall GC:
1 Tom Danielson (USA) Discovery Channel 21.54.44
2 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Gerolsteiner @ :04