Old Headlines (No Limit)
Leipheimer Maintains Lead as Race Heads to Rose Bowl
By From STAFF REPORTS
Sunday, February 24, 2008, 12:08 am

The Amgen Tour of California's final stage from Santa Clarita to Pasadena is set to begin today at noon with defending champion Levi Leipheimer of Santa Rosa having a 49-second lead over David Millar of Great Britain.

Both Leipheimer and Millar were timed at four hours, 18 minutes and 31
seconds in yesterday's 105.4-mile stage from Santa Barbara to Santa Clarita.

Luciano Pagliarini of Brazil was awarded the victory in the stage. Mark Cavendish of Great Britain crossed the finish line first, but was penalized 20 seconds for grabbing onto the side of a team car while trying to catch up with the leaders.

"These are the rules that we all live by," said Jim Burrell of Medalist Sports, the race's production team. "These are officials who are appointed by the international governing body. We as race organizers have no pull or say in their process."

The cyclists entered Los Angeles County from Ventura County on state
Route 126, heading to Santa Clarita where the stage finished with three laps around a 3.5-mile circuit, finishing at the Valencia Town Center.

Today's stage consists of a 93.4-mile route from Santa Clarita to Pasadena, ending with six laps around the Rose Bowl. It is expected to end between 3:30 and 4 p.m.

Organizers predict as many as 200,000 people could line the course, depending on the weather. The expected high temperature is 57 degrees, according to the Weather Underground. There's a 70 percent chance of rain and the possibility of a thunder storm.

A Health Net Lifestyles Festival is set to begin at 11:00 a.m. featuring a health & fitness expo, cancer awareness education, cycling gear, family activities, bike safety, food, entertainment and more.

The city is teaming up with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority to make it easy to see the tour without the hassle of driving or parking. Visitors from Los Angeles can take the Metro Gold Line from Union Station in Downtown to Memorial Park Station in Pasadena.

Old Pasadena plans to run a shuttle to the Rose Bowl every 25 minutes.