Thousands turn out in Modesto to see Tour of California cyclists

Robert Delgadillo of Oakdale traveled across the Atlantic Ocean to check out the world's top cyclists in the Tour de France more times than he can remember.

On Wednesday, he just had to get to Modesto.

He was among thousands of people who packed the downtown to watch 17 teams of elite cyclists take off on a 102.7-mile leg of the Amgen Tour of California, the premier race in the United States.

"This is very cool to see these guys here now," said Delgadillo, 47, while waiting for international stars to appear before the race's Modesto start in "autograph alley."

But die-hards weren't the only people who turned out to send off the lean speedsters on their trek from the San Joaquin Valley to the Silicon Valley. It lured many people who never followed the sport.

"We just wanted to see what it feels like," said Bill Johnson, 62, a retired Modestan who watched the race from a 10th Street curb with his wife, Margaret.

Modesto's start launched the racers on the third and most grueling stage of the weeklong tour. The route took them up a 4,360- foot ascent to the summit of Mount Hamilton, in eastern Santa Clara County.

"It's not just the hardest for the guys winning, it's the hardest for the guys in the back trying to stay in the race," Australian cyclist Hilton Clarke said on an I Street stage.

Clarke put the race's significance for his sport in perspective.

"It's as big as they get," he said.

His competitors included world champions and Olympians, a group of athletes that thrilled the fans who came to see them off.

"I'm here to see people you see on TV," said cycling fan Henry Briones, 52, of Tracy, who angled for autographs near the starting line.

By the end of the day, U.S. cyclist Levi Leipheimer had taken the overall lead and earned the yellow jersey that goes with it. He won last year's Tour of California, and has finished in the top three at the Tour de France. Robert Gesink of the Netherlands won the leg in 4 hours, 28 minutes and 29 seconds.

Leipheimer, a Santa Rosa resident, was a crowd favorite. Some wore T-shirts supporting him.

One of them was Karen Schoup, a therapist who rides in a Modesto group for cancer survivors. She and other members of the Triumph cycling team watched the end of the race's second stage Tuesday in Sacramento.

"It was amazing to be a part of," said Schoup, 66. "You have to see a finish stage."

Modesto secured a spot in this year's race that belonged to Stockton in the 2007 tour. City officials put together a package pledging to raise $50,000 to serve as host of the stage and to find volunteers to give the race a hand.

"This is something we needed for a long time," Mayor Jim Ridenour said. "Now we just need to carry it through to some more exciting things."

Businesses put up $63,000, leaving cash for Modesto to prepare its bid for next year, interim city manager Jim Niskanen said. Nearly 300 people volunteered to help out with the tour's Modesto stage.

A tour official said Modesto lived up to its promises.

"From day 1, we saw the passion, but we also saw the logistical skills," said Kelly Greene, venue director for Medalist Sports.

That could pay for Modesto in 2009.

"We always look at alumni cities that really roll out the red carpet," she said.

Bee staff writer Adam Ashton can be reached at aashton@modbee.com or 578-2366.