Levi retains overall lead as new team notches big first win
by Mark Zalewski, North American Editor in Santa Rosa
Jaun Jose Haedo (Toyota-United) has taken the first stage of the Tour of California, excited at securing the first win for his newly created team, as well as the sprinter's jersey. "I won a couple of big races last year, but I guess this is a bigger one," said Haedo after the finish. "And it's the first win for the Toyota-United team in our second race of the year. I am so happy and want to thank all of the guys." His sprint win was even more impressive as he easily put a three bike-length gap between him and second place Stuart O'Grady (CSC). "It was pretty chaotic," O'Grady said of the finishing circuits.
Levi Leipheimer (Gerolsteiner) was emotional on the podium today - understandably, as he rode into his hometown wearing the leader's jersey. Even better, he got to keep it. "I think the guys had to work pretty hard," Leipheimer said after the race. "It was pretty fast, a lot of attacks at the end and of course the circuits are pretty difficult. They did a great job. It wasn't a long stage but they had to ride pretty fast. I won the prologue, but they made it possible for me to wear the leader's jersey in my hometown."
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