Power of the pedals
Leipheimer captures Amgen Tour

By Fred Ortega, Pasadena Star News Staff Writer
Monday, February 25, 2008

Video: Amgen Tour of California

PASADENA - The skies cleared and a rainbow appeared in time to herald Levi Leipheimer's victory in the third annual Amgen Tour of California on Sunday.

It was his second straight victory on the tour, considered to be one of the most important professional cycling races in the United States.

“We have all the stars here and this race has become so big for the world of cycling,” said Leipheimer following his victory.

Leipheimer was presented with the yellow jersey in front of a crowd of more than a thousand people who gathered at the finish line on the east side of the Rose Bowl.

Rounding out the top three spots were David Millar of Great Britain and Christian Vandevelde of the U.S., according to unofficial results.

Sunday was the last stage in the 700-mile, Tour de France-style race that began Feb. 18 in Sausalito.

The 93-mile final stage began in Santa Clarita, through wet, rainy weather, to Millcreek Summit in the San Gabriel Mountains and down Angeles Crest Highway into Pasadena. their final six 5-mile laps around the Rose Bowl, American Tom Zirbel, of Team Bissell had a roughly 15-second lead ahead of a group of five cyclists, and up to a 1:40 lead ahead of the peloton. But in the last lap, Zirbel was outsprinted by American George Hincapie, of High Road, who won the stage ahead of Australian Rory Sutherland and Jason McCartney of the U.S.

“George was in the peloton and then you saw him come up, and I didn't know until after the race that he actually won,” said Nancy Johnson, a racing aficionado from Woodland Hills who came to Pasadena for her first Amgen Tour this year. “He is so good.”

Johnson said she was excited to see Leipheimer and other legends such as Tom Boonen and Floyd Landis.

“I follow the Tour de France every year so it is great to see the guys that actually ride it here in front of us,” said Johnson. “I will come out again absolutely, every year. Pasadena is a great place to have it.”

Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard presented the top racers with framed posters on the winner's dais and joked about the weather.

“Those of you who think this is bad weather for Pasadena obviously were not around for the Rose Parade in 2006," he said, remembering that year's nearly rained-out festivities.

Sutherland called Amgen the "biggest race in the U.S.” and Hincapie praised race officials and fans.

“The future of cycling is in races like this,” said Hincapie. “The crowds were awesome, it was really well organized, and the European (cyclists) love it.”