CRESTED BUTTE, Colo. (AP) — Levi Leipheimer won the first stage of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge on Tuesday, pedaling away from the lead group with about 500 yards left.
Leipheimer (RadioShack) of Santa Rosa, Calif., finished the mountainous 99.3-mile stage from Salida in 4 hours, 29 minutes and 22 seconds.
Sergio Luis Henao of Colombia was second, with Frank Schleck of Luxembourg third, trailing the winner by seven seconds.
With a 10-second bonus time for his stage win, Leipheimer assumed an 11-second race lead over Christian Vande Velde of Lemont, Ill., who was fifth in the stage. Tejay Van Garderen of Bozeman, Mont., is now third overall, trailing by 17 seconds.
