Team News: Quicksteps Leipheimer Takes Over Yellow in USA

Defending USA Pro Challenge champion, Levi Leipheimer waited for just the right moment on the category 1 Flagstaff Mtn in the 165.8km Stage 6 to make his move for the overall.

Levi was in a select group that included yellow jersey wearer Tejay van Garderen (BMC Racing Team), Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas-Cannondale) and others, as Rory Sutherland (UnitedHealthcare Cycling Team) was on his way to a solo victory out of an original breakaway of 14 riders. Suddenly, with less than 3km to go, Leipheimer attacked out of the saddle. Almost insantly he had a 10″ gap on the select group. He battled, pained face and all, up Flagstaff knowing he only needed 8″ to take over the GC lead.

Aussie Sutherland wins the stage … Photo: PhotoSport International. uk usa asia.

Leipheimer crossed the line in 4th, 45″ back from Sutherland but he had more than enough time to take the yellow jersey and he now has 9″ on Christian Vande Velde (Garmin-Sharp) and 21″ on van Garderen going into the final 15.3km TT tomorrow. Fabio Aru (Astana Pro Team) was 2nd, and Jens Voigt (Radioshack-Nissan) 3rd.

“At about six or seven kilometers to go, the breakaway had something like two minutes and 30 seconds on the bottom of the last climb,” Leipheimer said. “There were a few attacks from Nibali and Joe Dombrowski (Bontrager Livestrong Team) that were really effective — really strong attacks. I felt that Tejay was struggling a little bit. So, at three kilometers to go I attacked and gave everything I had. I suffered a lot, especially with the altitude that has been a factor in this race. But I really tried to push, and I got a little bit of a gap between me, Christian and Tejay by the time I finished. I think today was a great stage. There were so many people on the road. I think this was the biggest day for USA cycling. I was amazed by the crowd that supported the riders and this race.”

Levi races to the finish to take yellow. PhotoSport International. uk usa asia.

“Tomorrow, the 15km time trial in Denver, I don’t have a very big advantage going in,” Leipheimer continued. “But I will put everything into this race to try and keep my yellow jersey, and be the overall winner for the second straight year at USA Pro Challenge.”