Levi Leipheimer won the first stage of the 24th SRAM Tour of the Gila from Silver City to Mogollon (151 km/94.1 mi). With the start of the Tour of California two weeks away, Leipheimer is clearly doing more than a tune-up for California. Under the flag of Mellow Johnny’s, Leipheimer sprang from the pack on the final climb, just as he did last year. Second place went to Tom Danielson (DZ Nuts) and third to Cesar Grajales (OUCH-Bahati Foundation). Last year’s third-place finisher Phil Zajicek finished fourth.

“Compared to last year it seemed more competitive,” explained Leipheimer after the stage. “Dave Zabriskie, Tom Danielson and the others were all going well. The beginning of the stage wasn’t bad but the winds picked up and made the race quite a bit harder. This may be ‘only’ a race on the national calendar, but this victory proves that I’ve worked hard in the last weeks. I am on schedule for my first goal of the season, the Tour of California. After a useful break, it is always good to measure yourself against other riders. It is also good to get out there and into the routine of racing.”

Runner up Danielson was happy with the way DZNuts performed in the event: “2nd today to Levi. The team was awesome!”

Leipheimer’s Mellow Johnnys teammate Lance Armstrong thinks the Californian is up for defending his title tweeting: “Good first stage of @tourofthegila. Congrats to @LeviLeipheimer on the stage win. Homeboy looks fit.”