TOC Time Trial: Levi Beats World Champ at His Own Game to Solidify Lead

Spoils of victory: more podium kisses for Levi

As it was in 2007, the small town of Solvang was host to the deciding stage of the 2008 Tour of California. Unlike 2007 however, the weather for this decisive stage was not as favorable as it was a year ago. Mostly cloudy skies and scattered rain showers fell throughout the early morning, as riders prepared for the 15 mile test against the clock.

World time trial champion Fabian Cancellera was on the course early, no doubt previewing the all-important stage. Team boss Bjarne Riis was close by, checking the big Swiss rider’s bike to make sure all was in order. Cancellera had a look of grim determination on his face as he set out to ride the course ahead of time.

Cancellera was dead serious ahead of the deciding time trial

Riis sounded less than confident in Cancellera, as he spoke in hushed tones about the day’s race. “If it is wet, the course will definitely be more technical, Fabian will have to be more careful than usual. I don’t know how good Levi is, so a lot will depend on that. But Fabian will go on the course now to see the route, and then the rest is up to him. If he can get a couple of seconds lead on the overall, that should be enough to win the race.”

Levi Leipheimer, equally focused, was also on his Trek TTX early in the day, leaving nothing to chance as he looked to solidify his lead in the overall classification. Director sportif Vatcheslav Ekimov was decidedly more upbeat that Riis, and thought Levi had a good chance of securing not only the stage victory, but the overall. “As long as the weather conditions are the same, it will be fine with us. I think our chances are good. Even if we don’t keep the jersey today, we still have many cards to play. Levi is going very good and every second will count for Cancellera. He won’t get anything for free.”

As riders took top the start gate at 12:00 pm pacific time, large dark clouds hovering over head and rain showers swept intermittently over the landscape. The day’s initial best time was set by world pursuit champ Bradley Wiggins of team High Road at 32 minutes and 16 seconds. But it was not until the last few riders that the final podium would be decided. The first man to go under the 32 minute mark was American Christian Vande Velde, who stopped the clock at 31 minutes and 35 seconds. A few rider’s later, Vande Vende’s teammate David Millar, the British time trial champion, went 16 seconds better at 31 minutes and 16 seconds.

The world champ could only come fifth for his CSC team

With only Fabian Cancellera and Levi Leipheimer still on the course, the crowd grew restless as they waited for the final results. Cancellera motored toward the line, but was unable to keep pace with either Millar or Vande Velde, and could manage only a time of 31 minutes and 52 seconds, which was good for fifth place on the day. Leipheimer, dressed in the leader’s yellow jersey and simple black shorts, made the final turn toward the finish line and jumped out of the saddle, looking for every second he could in the race against the clock. When he finally crossed the line, he was a full 29 seconds better than Millar and 65 seconds better than the world champ Cancellera.

Levi was gifted a beautiful sculpture for his beautiful victory

With only two stages left to race, the overall win looks all but guaranteed for the American from Santa Rosa. Barring a major mechanical failure or crash, Levi should be able to lean on his powerful Astana team to bring him to the final podium on Sunday in Pasedena as the overall winner for the second year in a row. But it won't be easy. None of the other teams will be willing to help the Astana squad, and several Slipstream riders (Millar, Vande Velde, Zabriskie) are within striking distance of the overall lead. If they contiune to hit Astana with attacks, one of them may be able to escape and gain time over the next few days. Astana will have to be hyper-vigilant throughout the next two stages. For CSC, it will be another year without a GC win, as their closest rider is Cancellera, in fourth place at one minute eighteen seconds. Bjarne Riis's tentative tone on the morning of the time trial may have predicted what Astana knew all along: Levi was just too strong.