Levi Leipheimer donned the golden jersey for the second time during the 2008 Vuelta a Espana on Sunday as the peloton finished its second day in the Pyrénées.
His Astana teammate and race favorite Alberto Contador sits just 21 seconds behind Leipheimer, the sole American in the three week race that's entering its second week. David Moncoutie of Cofidis won Stage 8 that boasted four major climbs, including the mountaintop finish at Pla de Beret.
Leipheimer first gained the overall leader's jersey on Wednesday after winning the individual time trial. He gave it up after the next stage, but remained near the top of the general classification.
Alessandro Ballan was in the yellow jersey after Saturday's stage and Leipheimer sat a full minute behind. But Lampre's Ballan wasn't a factor on Sunday and Leipheimer closed the margin with the help of Contador who drove the group chasing Moncoutie.
The Frenchman beat his pursuers by 34 seconds. That group included Contador, Leipheimer, as well as other favorites Carlos Sastre and Alejandro Valverde.
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