Time trial ace Levi Leipheimer proved that he's in top form at the 2009 Amgen Tour of California by winning the Stage 6 individual time trial and probably solidifying his championship at Sunday's finish in Escondido.
He beat his closest adversary — National Time Trial Champion David Zabriskie — by 9 seconds over the 15-mile course. Zabriskie effort put him into second place overall, 36 seconds behind Leipheimer.
Three-time world time trial champion Michael Rogers, who had been in 2nd place at the beginning of the day, dropped to 3rd with his day's showing of 23 seconds behind Leipheimer.
Comeback kid Lance Armstrong, who drew crowds 10 deep around the Team Astana bus, finished 1:11 behind Leipheimer. Not sure where that puts him, but he drops out of the top 5.
If Team Astana can continue to protect Leipheimer's position, he's set to win his third straight Amgen Tour of California.
Two to go
The next two stages will test the strength of Team Astana in protecting Leipheimer's lead. They'll also test how much gas he has left in the tank after Friday ITT.
Saturday's Stage 7 starts at noon (Pacific) and rolls 89 miles from Santa Clarita to Pasadena. The peloton climbs to the Millcreek Summit in the San Gabrial Mountains at 4,906 feet, then speeds downhill to Pasadena. Estimated finish time is 3:15 to 3:50 p.m.
On Sunday the peloton attacks the biggest climb ever in Tour of California, Palomar Mountain at 5,123 feet. That a hors categorie, the highest classification of climb. There are a total four King of the Mountain climb that day, making the final day more than just a ceremonial roll into Escondido.
Top 10 after Stage 6
1 Levi Leipheimer (Astana)
2 David Zabriskie (Garmin – Slipstream) — 36 seconds behind
3 Michael Rogers (Team Columbia – Highroad) — 46 seconds
4 Jens Voigt (Team Saxo Bank) — 1.10
5 Thomas Lövkvist (Team Columbia – Highroad) — 1.29
6 Lance Armstrong (USA) Astana — 1.46
7 Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank — 1.54
8 Janez Brajkovic (Slo) Astana — 1.59
9 Christopher Horner (USA) Astana — 2.13
10 Francisco Mancebo (Spa) Rock Racing — 2.15
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