Thomas Peterson wins Stage 2; Leipheimer Grabs Leader's Jersey

Stage 2 Results | Video | Press Release A President's Day for all, Stage 2 of the Amgen Tour of California departed Sausalito in cold and soggy conditions with a picturesque 115.9-mile route to Santa Cruz that included a pair of Herbalife Sprints, two challenging California Travel & Tourism King of the Mountains climbs, and a toll-free passage across the Golden Gate Bridge, a first for this race.

A ten-man escape departed early and stayed away until the second KOM on Bonny Doon Road. Quick Step's Carlos Barredo shot the first salvo, but back in the bunch Astana's Levi Leipheimer launched from the field and stormed up the long steep climb on a mission. He caught and passed Barredo. Thomas Peterson (Garmin-Slipstream), who had bridged with Jason McCartney (Saxo Bank) to Barredo, hung on for the ride of his life glued to Leipheimer's wheel.

Sun welcomed the two leaders into Santa Cruz with a manic chase group a minute in arrears. Leipheimer, who had put enough distance between himself and overall race leader, Francisco Mancebo (Rock Racing), to claim the yellow jersey for himself, did not contest the sprint, allowing the 22-year-old Peterson to win the stage.