Nebraska Cycling News

Discovery Channel Rider Takes AMGEN Tour of California from Start to Finish

Santa Clarita, Calif. - AMGEN Tour of California winner Levi Leipheimer (Santa Rosa, Calif./Discovery Channel) became the first leader of the inaugural USA Cycling Professional Tour on Sunday after winning the eight-day series opener.  Leipheimer captured the yellow jersey last Sunday in the event's opening prologue in San Francisco and held it throughout the race's finish in Long Beach a week later to become the first leader of the 14-race professional-only series.

In keeping with the week's theme, Leipheimer's Discovery Channel Team spent the final day defending the yellow jersey over the course of the 125-kilometer circuit race in Long Beach. On the first lap of the flat, 12.5-kilometer circuit, a seven-man breakaway rolled away from the field and increased their lead to nearly three minutes before the Discovery Channel squad and other contributors brought the move back with just four kilometers left.  In the field-sprint finish, Cuban Ivan Dominguez (Toyota-United) edged Australian Graeme Brown (Rabobank) and German Gerald Ciolek (GER) for the stage win while Leipheimer finished safely in the pack in 37th place to secure the overall AMGEN Tour of California title.

In the first major professional race of their young careers, Brent Bookwalter (Cedar Springs, Mich./VMG Racing) and Caleb Fairly (Amarillo, Texas/VMG Racing) finished strong for the USA Cycling National Development Team, placing 26th and 42nd respectively in the final stage.  Bookwalter was the squad's top rider in the final overall standings in 79th place, 16 minutes and 57 seconds off Leipheimer's pace, while Fairly placed 110th, 39:49 back.

Of the 144 starters, there were 113 who finished the grueling 700-mile race.

Leipheimer captured two stage wins, both in races against the clock, as he won the opening prologue and the stage five time trial in Solvang.  Otherwise, the international flavor of the USA Cycling Professional Tour opener was highlighted by six stage wins by foreigners.  Graeme Brown (AUS) won stage one from Sausalito to Santa Rosa, Juan Jose Haedo (ARG) captured stage two from Santa Rosa to Sacramento and stage six from Santa Barbara to Santa Clarita, World Champion Paolo Bettini (ITA) took the win in stage four from Seaside to San Luis Obispo, Jens Voigt (GER) won stage three from Stockton to San Jose and Dominguez (CUB) won stage seven in Long Beach.  

In the Best Young Rider Classification, Bookwalter finished 13th, 14:07 down from winner Robert Gesink (Rabobank) of the Netherlands while Fairly finished 19th.

Other overall winners included Christophe Laurent (FRA/Credit Agricole), who captured the King of the Mountains jersey, Juan Jose Haedo (ARG/CSC), who won the green Sprinter's jersey and Team CSC, who won the overall team title.

Next up on the USA Cycling Professional Tour is the U.S. Open in Richmond, Va. April 7 before major stage racing returns with the Tour de Georgia April 15-22.

2007 USA Cycling Professional Tour

Feb. 18-25: AMGEN Tour of California - California (2.HC)
Apr. 7: U.S. Cycling Open - Richmond, Va. (1.1)
Apr. 15-22: Tour de Georgia - Georgia (2.HC)
June 3: Commerce Bank Lancaster Classic - Lancaster, Pa. (1.1)
June 7: Commerce Bank Reading Classic - Reading, Pa. (1.1)
June 10: Commerce Bank International Championship - Philadelphia, Pa. (1.HC)
June 23: Saturn Rochester Twilight Criterium - Rochester, N.Y. (1.2)
June 30-July 7: Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah - Utah (2.2)
Aug. 19: USA Cycling Professional Criterium Championships - Downer's Grove, Ill.
Aug. 30: The Cliffs USA Cycling Professional Time Trial Championships - Greenville, S.C.
Sept. 2: The Cliffs USA Cycling Professional Road Championships - Greenville, S.C.
Sept. 8: Univest Grand Prix - Souderton, Pa. (1.2)
Sept. 11-16: Tour of Missouri - Missouri (2.1)
Sept. 15: Tour de Leelanau - Traverse City, Mich. (1.2)

2007 USA Cycling Professional Tour

AMGEN Tour of California

February 18-25

 Stage Seven Results - Long Beach Circuit Race - 125 kilometers

1. Ivan Dominguez (CUB) 2:39.28

2. Graeme Brown (AUS) s.t.

3. Gerald Ciolek (GER) s.t.

26. Brent Bookwalter (Cedar Springs, Mich.) s.t.

42. Caleb Fairly (Amarillo, Texas) s.t.

Final General Classification

1. Levi Leipheimer 24:57.24

2. Jens Voigt +0:21

3. Jason McCartney +0:54

79. Brent Bookwalter +16:57

110. Caleb Fairly +39:49

For complete results, visit www.tourofcalifornia.com