Yesterday's wet finish for stage two of the Tour of California saw the American Garmin-Slipstream team keep their options open for the overall race. The trio of Tom Danielson, Dave Zabriskie and Ryder Hesjedal all finished in the front group, with each rider capable of riding into a high placing in the overall.
"I feel good. No complaints at all. I'm really happy to be here," Danielson told VeloNation before the start of the third stage. "I can't say enough about the team. It was impressive to see the numbers we had in the front group along with the RadioShack guys. You expect them to be there, but with the numbers they had and the numbers we had, we were pretty happy, no complaints!"
RadioShack had a power trio of their own that included defending champion Levi Leipheimer, seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong and recent Tour of the Basque Country winner Chris Horner.
Danielson has a lot of respect for the RadioShack team, but will also look for his own chances and those of his teammates.
"I've gotta just sit tight and be smart," he said. "Levi is obviously the strongest guy in the race, well, he is the favorite. We have to see how he is doing and go off of that, but I'm happy to be riding well, and thankful that everything is coming together for me. I'm motivated and happy."
He said he's found a new motivation since becoming a father when asked if that's changed his perspective: "Absolutely, I'm not just doing it for myself anymore. I'm doing it for my wife and son."