Leipheimer Wins Amgen Tour of California Yellow Jersey For The Second Time In A Row
Leipheimer Wins Amgen Tour of California Yellow Jersey For The Second Time In A Row
PASADENA, California, Feb 24, 2008 (AFP) - American Astana rider Levi Leipheimer won the Tour of California cycle race for the second straight year here on Sunday.
American George Hincapie, riding for High Road, won the seventh and final stage, a 150km run from Santa Clarita that finished with a rain-swept circuit race around the Rose Bowl Stadium.
Leipheimer, who rode for Discovery Channel when he won in 2007, finished in the main pack along with his nearest rivals to secure the crown.
Leipheimer, who seized the overall lead after Wednesday’s third stage, had taken a 49-second lead over Briton David Millar into the final stage and won by the same margin. American Christian Vandevelde was third, 1:08 back.
Sunday’s stage marked the first time in its three-year history that the Tour of California finished with a point-to-point race.
Rock Racing’s Mike Creed initiated an early 10-man break, none of them a threat to the top of the overall standings.
In pelting rain in Pasadena, American Tom Zirbel attacked the break and built a lead that he held until the final circuit around the stadium, which hosted the 1994 World Cup final.
Creed, Australian Rory Sutherland, American Jason McCartney and Hincapie responded, with Hincapie capturing the stage. Leipheimer finished 22nd in the following pack 12 seconds back.
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