The City of Palo Alto and Stanford University are pleased to be the co-hosts for the prologue portion of the 2008 Amgen Tour of California. This eight-day professional cycling event started in Palo Alto on Sunday, February 17, 2008. The Riders kicked off at 1 p.m. with a short, intense, individual time trial of about two miles. The Palo Alto – Stanford University Prologue course was fast, flat, short and very exciting. A calendar of related pre-race and race-day events that were in the local area can be found here. For more about Palo Alto, go to Visiting Palo Alto.
Ever wonder how fast the riders of the Tour de France, Olympics and Tour of California really are? Ever wonder how you might stack up against Levi Leipheimer, George Hincapie and Fabian Cancellara? The Charity Challenge Time Trial held just before the race, was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to test your speed against some of the world’s greatest cyclists. It was a backstage pass to the Pro Tour – and a chance to experience first hand the excitement of riding a major prologue.
EXCITING Charity Challenge Time Trial Results! - Congratulations to the winners of the exciting Charity Challenge Time Trial who rode the Palo Alto-Stanford Prologue course just moments before 136 of the top cycling professionals in the world officially kick-off the 2008 Amgen Tour of California:Awards were presented by Bjarne Riis, CSC Team Director, to the fastest Men's and Women's Finish and Highest Booster/Supporter.
Awards were presented immediately prior to the Professional Prologue Awards Presentation on Sunday, February 17, 2008 at 4 PM. Special prizes awarded by CSC: 1) Michael Hutchinson, Fastest Man. received a signed CSC jersey, 2) Kathryn Curi (Webcor), Fastest Woman, received a signed CSC jersey, and 3 ) Craig Barratt (Atheros), Biggest Booster/Supporter, received a signed Charity Challenge TimeTrial Helmet.
| Challenge Time Trial Rider | Route Time | Challenge Time Trial Rider | Route Time |
| Michael Hutchinson - WINNER - Fastest Male Rider | 04:20.3 | Audrey Brown (Stanford) | 05:22.8 |
| Mick Hellman | 04:20.4 | Cari St. Aubin | 05:23.0 |
| Gavin Melly (Stanford) | 04:30.3 | Paulo Grazian (CSC) | 05:23.9 |
| Chris "Macca" McCormack (Specialized) | 04:31.6 | Adam Leibman | 05:24.6 |
| Evan Pickett (Stanford) | 04:31.9 | Rob Artigo (KGO) | 05:26.3 |
| Mathew Beebe | 04:38.6 | Richard Nichols (Del Monte) | 05:30.0 |
| Kathryn Curi (Webcor) - WINNER - Fastest Female Rider | 04:40.6 | Chris Leibman | 05:31.8 |
| John Kelley (KBS Medifast) | 04:48.4 | Craig Barratt (Atheros) - WINNER - Biggest Booster | 05:36.2 |
| Fred St. Goar | 04:59.1 | Bill Leibman | 05:36.7 |
| Allan Padgett (AEG) | 05:07.7 | Bill Martin (KTVU) | 05:37.3 |
| Joe Grand (Grand Idea Studio) | 05:09.4 | Steve Seaweed (The BONE) | 05:45.5 |
| Arwen Bradley (Stanford) | 05:09.6 | John Etchemendy (Stanford Provost) | 05:59.0 |
| Joe Fabris (Plus 3) | 05:10.8 | Roberta Gonzalez (KPIX) | 06:14.2 |
| Michael Kim. (CSC) | 05:15.0 | Mark Linde (Creative i) | 06:19.5 |
| Andy Ball (Webcor) | 05:16.6 | Yoriko Kishimoto (2007 Mayor) | 06:50.6 |
| Irish Greg (KFOG) | 05:19.4 | Brooks Esser | 07:19.4 |
| Guy Ganset | 05:19.4 | Anthony Pianna (IDEO) | 08:03.2 |
| Tommy Barger (16yrs old) | 05:19.8 | Mike Sinyard (Specialized) | 09:30.8 |
| Rick Sutton (Plus 3) | 05:20.1 |
Pre-race and race-day events also include interviews, presentation by Team High Road, the only US based ProTour team, a community bike ride to downtown Palo Alto, classroom activities and school assemblies, a Time Trial Charity Challenge before the race, live entertainment, a health and fitness festival and children’s activities.
Sponsorship inquiries please contact Glenn Rawlinson @ 650-283-6511 or by e-mail.
For more information, visit www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/ We are also looking for volunteers!
We also thank our very generous top sponsors:
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