2009, Stage 8 | Rancho Bernardo to Escondido

Levi Leipheimer (USA) | Wins 2009 Tour of California

Team Astana

This years Tour of California was any favorites race all the way through the last stage. Stage 8 traverses the biggest mountain of the tour. Palomar Mountain crests at 5,456 feet and provided an epic day of racing that put Astana into the red to defend their race leaders overall classification. One by one Levi's lieutenants responded to attack after attack. Leipheimer was finally left alone to defend off his fellow contenders and he did just that. Astana remained calm and was able to regroup with their leader on the descend and controlled the rest of the stage perfectly.

Frank Schlect (Lux) | 1st Place on Stage

Team Saxo Bank

Frank Schlect was once again on the attack. Breaking away from the elite leaders group on Mount Palomar, Schlect, was able to push out a gap that hovered around one minute all the way into Escondido. His performance earned him the stage win and the Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer™ Most Courageous Rider Jersey.

Stage 8 Jersey Summary

Amgen Leader Jersey, was awarded to Levi Leipheimer (USA) of Astana.

 Herbalife Sprint Jersey, was awarded to Mark Cavendish (GBR) of Team Columbia.

 California Travel & Tourism Commission King of the Mountain (KOM) Jersey, was awarded to Jason McCartney (USA) of Saxo Bank.

 Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer™ Most Courageous Rider Jersey went to Frank Schlect(LUX) of Saxo Bank.

 Rabobank Best Young Rider Jersey was awarded Robert Gesink (NED) of Rabobank.

General Classification

Levi Leipheimer (USA) for the third consecutive year has won the General Classification of the Amgen Tour of California. David Zabriskie (USA) of Garmin-Slipstream placed in second and  Michael Rogers (AUS) of Team Columbia-High Road placed third.  

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