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Leipheimer takes lead in Tour of California

Defending champion Levi Leipheimer took the overall lead in the Tour of California on Wednesday, while Robert Gesink of the Netherlands won the mountainous 164km third stage.

The 21-year-old Gesnick raced from Modesto to Santa Jose in four hours, 28 minutes, 29 seconds.

"We were screaming at each other to ride strong to get to the finish together," said Gesink, who rode with Leipheimer for the final 32km. "I won one race last year, but this win is better because the field is so much stronger."

Leipheimer, the Astana rider who finished third in last year's Tour de France, finished just behind Gesink in the same time to open a 13-second lead over Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland. Gesink was third, 15 seconds behind Leipheimer in the seven-stage, eight-day race.

Leipheimer and Gesink, emerged at the front of the field following the most difficult stage in the race's three-year history. It featured five climbs, including the ascent of Mount Hamilton -- elevation 1,329m -- followed by a steep 32km descent with 165 turns.

"Today was the hardest day we see in the Tour of California in its three-year history," Leipheimer said. "Mount Hamilton turned out to be a really hard climb, and for Team Astana we had something to prove. The team was phenomenal."

The remaining 120 riders from a starting field of 133 were to contest the race's longest leg yesterday, a 217km Stage 4 road race from Seaside to San Luis Obispo.
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