Tour of California 2012, Stage 5: Individual Time Trials On Rugged 18.4-Mile Stretch

As he has all week, Peter Sagan of Slovakia sits atop the leaderboard heading into Thursday's Stage 5 of the eight-stage Tour of California.

Stage 5, held in Bakersfield, is a bit of an outlier compared to the other stages. It is an individual time trial and, according to this stage description, should be a lung-buster:

Right from the start, the riders will go from zero to nearly 60 mph in a matter of seconds. The start ramp will launch them onto an immediate descent to Alfred Harrel Highway. From there, it will be a straight - but not exactly flat - route to the turnaround point at Lake Ming....

The route is full of 100-foot rollers, and as the riders approach the finish, they'll be able to see it...up on a 300-foot bluff. The prepared rider will have saved a little for the China Grade, which presents an eight percent climb to the top and then a hard left, and it won't be over there. The riders will still face a slightly uphill, .44-mile run to the finish.

For those hoping to watch the action: Live TV coverage begins at 3:30 p.m. Central on NBC Sports Network. It will re-air at 10:30 Central. Viewers can also stream the Tour -- or view oodles of highlights and videos -- at the Tour of California "Race Video" page.

Additional television coverage info is available here, and a complete leaderboard is available here.

For more information on the 2012 Tour of California, check out this SB Nation Minnesota story stream.

Tour of California 2012, Stage 4: Peter Sagan Looks To Continue Domination Of Race

Wednesday, May 16 will bring us Stage Four of the Tour of California, the longest leg of the entire race and one of the most difficult not only because of its length, but because of the lack of flat stretches of road as it twists and turns through mountains.

Stage Four takes the cyclists from Sonora to Clovis and stretches a full 130.2 miles by the time it ends.

The race has been dominated by 22 year old Slovakian Peter Sagan of the Liquigas-Cannondale team, who made race history when he won all three of the first day's legs to keep the yellow winner's jacket.

As usual, the race will have television coverage from NBC Sports Network all day. Viewers can stream the event as well as see highlights of the race so far -- here's a hint, Peter Sagan will likely be involved -- at the Tour of California "Race Video" page.

For more information on the 2012 Tour of California, check out this SB Nation Minnesota story stream. More on Cycling in general can be found over at Podium Cafe.

Tour of California, Stage 3: Slovakian Peter Sagan Takes Lead Into Tuesday

Stage 3 of the eight-stage Tour of California will take place Tuesday.

Stage 3 is 115.3 miles and will take riders from San Jose to Livermore.

The leader heading into Tuesday's action is Peter Sagan, 22, who according to this press release is a "young Slovakian cycling sensation."

The release goes on to say,

"I don't know, maybe it takes a natural disaster," said Sagan, when asked what it would take to stop his winning ways, noting he suffered an untimely punctured tire three miles from the finish yesterday and still won Stage 1. "I am feeling good. I will see tomorrow (to make it three straight wins)," he continued.

Here is the complete leaderboard.

Live TV coverage begins at 4 p.m. Central on NBC Sports Network. Viewers can stream the event -- or check out loads of highlights and videos -- at the Tour of California "Race Video" page.

For more information on the 2012 Tour of California, check out this SB Nation Minnesota story stream.

Tour of California 2012 Standings: Peter Sagan Takes Stage 1

The first stage of the tour of California is in the books, and Peter Sagan was able to overcome a punctured tire to win the first stage as part of the Liquigas-Cannondale. Sagan lost about 20 seconds due tot he mechanical issue late in the race, but he was able to storm back for the victory in Santa Rosa, California:

Sagan never panicked when his rear tire punctured with about 5 miles left and a pack of sprinters already in pursuit. In the end, the misfortune might've actually helped.

A crash swept up about a dozen riders - including one of the world's top sprinters, Michael Matthews - with about 3 miles remaining. Sagan shifted down and pedaled furiously, overtaking Haussler and Rodriguez in the final mile.

The 22-year-old nicknamed "Terminator'' pointed to the adoring crowd at the finish line and hoisted both hands in the air in triumph. Such a frantic, final sprint is unlikely.

For more on the Tour of California, check out this SB Nation Minnesota story stream.

Tour of California, Stage 1 Preview 2012: Race Opens In Santa Rosa

Stage one of the 2012 Tour of California begins on Sunday, a 119.6-mile trek that starts and finishes in Santa Rosa, California. Home to three-time champ Levi Leipheimer, Santa Rosa has become sort of an unofficial home to American cyclists over the years as it helped grow the Tour of California event into what it is today.

In the first 30 minutes racers will advance through the Town of Windsor and then pass by many famous vineyards in neighboring Sonoma County. After many vital Sprints, racers will head back to Santa Rosa on a direct line to Occidental, and then eventually the popular Bohemian Highway.

Representing the state of Minnesota will be Optum Pro Cycling, a Continental Level team that was founded in 2007. Unfortunately however, key racer Jesse Anthony will not be partaking in the event after becoming seriously ill recently at a race in Korea. Teammate Ken Hanson and the rest of Optum Pro Cycling will hope to improve upon their best finish, fifth, when things finally wrap up.

Five of the six winners in the race's history have been American-born cyclists. Leipheimer, a heavy favorite once again, will be aiming for his fourth race victory in six years. The event will conclude on Monday, May 20, with a must-see trek from Los Angeles to Beverly Hills. To watch

For more on the Tour of California, check out this SB Nation Minnesota story stream.

2012 Tour of California, How To Watch: TV, Streaming Info For Sunday's Action

The 2012 Tour of California, an eight-day cycling event, starts Sunday with a 119.6-mile jaunt that begins and ends in Santa Rosa.

Viewers will have options on how to watch. The NBC Sports Network will have extensive live coverage from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Central on Sunday, and additional coverage for the duration of the Tour.

In addition, the action will be carried live from this official streaming page.

A little background: The Tour of California began in 2006 and is one of North America's premier cycling events. It was originally held in February but in 2010 was moved to May. Five of the six winner have been American, including three-time winner Levi Leipheimer.

The event will wrap up on Monday, May 20, with the 44-mile Stage 8 trek from Los Angeles to Beverly Hills.

Time: 4 p.m. Central

TV: NBC Sports

Internet: Tour of California homepage

For more on the Tour of California, check out this SB Nation Minnesota story stream.

Tour of California 2012 Teams: Minnesota's Optum Pro Cycling

Representing Minnesota in the 2012 Amgen Tour of California is Optum Pro Cycling, a Continental Level team founded in 2007 and based out of Minneapolis. The team has a balanced roster of young riders and veterans, with talent spread in time trialing, climbing, sprinting, and overall.

The team is one of the more successful lower-level teams in the tour: Optum has UCI Stage Race victories on four different contients, have placed podium spots at the USPRO Time Trial and Road Race Championships, and won the USPRO Criterium Championship. They are one of very few Continental teams to ever win a stage race at a major American UCI race.

Optum will be without one of their strongest riders, as climber Jesse Anthony got sick at the Tour of Korea and is not well enough to ride. He figured in last year's King of the Mountains competition and is a threat to win stages, so someone else from Optum will have to step up.

The team's best result in the ToC is a fifth place win, but sprinter Ken Hanson has his eye on changing that. Optum doesn't have the strength or experience needed to contend for the overall win, but they're an aggressive and tactically savvy squad. Look for them to put in big efforts on breakaways and contend for stage victories.

SB Nation Minnesota will have updates throughout the 2012 Tour of California, and as always SB Nation's excellent Podium Cafe has all the pro cycling news and analysis you need.

2012 Tour of California: Map, Start Time, Weather And More

The 2012 Amgen Tour of California begins on Sunday, with Minnesota represented by the Minneapolis based Optum Pro Cycling team.