Levi Leipheimer - Wins TT In Solvang

Discovery Channel's Levi Leipheimer set out to defend his overall lead at the Amgen Tour of California during Friday's individual time trial, and he not only did it, he actually extended his margin over second-placed Jens Voigt (CSC).

Leipheimer, who began the day with a three-second margin over his CSC rival, covered the 14.5-mile course in 29:40:44, 18 seconds faster than runner-up Voigt.

Voigt's teammate, Fabian Cancellara, set the early top time of 30:17.910, which held until Leipheimer's crony Jason McCartney topped it, finishing in 30:05.140.

McCartney's mark stood until Voigt posted the first sub-30-minute time, crossing in 29:58.51. And then Leipheimer stepped up, punching one fist in the air as he crossed the line in victory.

Amgen Tour of California
Stage 5
Top 10
1. Levi Leipheimer (USA), Discovery, 29:40.44
2. Jens Voigt (G), CSC, at 0:18
3. Jason McCartney (USA), at 0:24
4. Fabian Cancellara (Swi), CSC, at 0:37
5. George Hincapie (USA), Discovery, at 0:40
6. Bobby Julich (USA), CSC, at 0:41
7. Christian Vande Velde (USA), CSC, at 0:56
8. Stuart O'Grady (Aus), CSC, at 0:59
9. Ivan Basso (I), Discovery Channel, at 1:02.57
10. Ben Jacques-Maynes (USA), Priority Health, at 1:14.17

Overall
1. Levi Leipheimer (USA), Discovery Channel, 18:21:52
2. Jens Voigt (G), CSC, at 0:21
3. Jason McCartney (USA), Discovery Channel, at 0:54
4. Bobby Julich (USA), CSC, at 1:06
5. Stuart O'Grady (Aus), CSC, at 1:20
6. Christian Vande Velde (USA), CSC, at 1:24
7. Michael Rogers (Aus), T-Mobile, at 1:34
8. Ben Day (Aus), Navigators, at 1:38
9. Franco Pellizotti (I), Liquigas, at 1:41
10. Ryder Hesjedal (Can), Health Net -Maxxis, at 1:57