Utah: Levi Takes Charge

Leipheimer makes his move on Mt Nebo Levi Leipheimer had today marked down in his calendar, and now it is also marked down on his record sheet. Leipheimer played the breakaways perfectly and then launched his final attack with 5 km to go on Mt Nebo to take the stage and the yellow jersey. Leipheimer got himself into a mid-race breakaway, and then matched Francisco Mancebo's acceleration to form a two man breakaway. Leipheimer then buried himself up Mt Nebo to drop the defending race champion from his wheel and solo out for a 51 second victory. Levi showed that he still had the form that he used to destroy the field in the Leadville 1oo this weekend, though he is not necessarily confident about his chances. I must disagree with him, considering he is by far the strongest rider in the field and now has quite a lead on the rest. It was not such a good day for fellow American competitor George Hincapie.

George suffered a rough crash midway through the stage that caused him to abandon the race and be taken to a hospital. George was disappointed and shaken up, but did not appear to have suffered any serious injuries. It was also not the greatest day for morning leader Alex Dowsett, who lost over 12 and a half minutes.

Stage Results

1. Levi Leipheimer

2. Francisco Mancebo

3. Ian Boswell

General Classification

1. Levi Leipheimer
2. Francisco Mancebo -56

3. Darren Lill -1:16

4. Ian Boswell -1:16

5. Philip Zajicek -1:34

6. Cesar Grajales -2:13

7. Jonathan McCarty -2:17

8. Tim Roe -2:20

9. Brent Bookwalter -2:24

10. Tyler Wren -2:26

12. Rory Sutherland -2:39

43. Alex Dowsett -11:55

88. Billy Demong -30:52

100. Taylor Phinney -34:46

Points

1. David Tanner 16

2. Taylor Phinney 10

3. Alex Dowsett 8

King of the Mountains

1. Francisco Mancebo 17

2. Alex Dowsett 16

3. Levi Leipheimer 15

Best Utah

Darren Lill

Best Young

Ian Boswell

Tomorrow comes the individual time trial, where some guys could make up time or lose even more. The gaps are already huge, though, so it would take a massive effort on such a short ITT to advance significantly. Levi Leipheimer seems almost a given to hold his lead, unless he encounters trouble on the course.