More than ten years after his first stage victories in the Cascade Cycling Classic (1996, 1997) First Endurance rider Levi Leipheimer (Astana) claimed the overall victory in the five-day-race in Central Oregon. Not present in the Tour the France, the USA road champion, was delighted to wear a yellow jersey, the one from the longest consecutively run stage race in the United States.  ”To win this race is definitely something to be proud of,” Levi Leipheimer said. “When I first started out as a professional this race was the thing to do and I’m proud to be on the list of people who have won it, like Lance Armstrong.”  Lance Armstrong won this race in 1998. One year later, he won his first Tour de France.

What makes Leipheimer’s victory so special is that he won the race with only one teammate (Chris Horner)  Chris Horner, in the past already three times stage winner in the Cascade Cycling Classic, did a fabulous job the last five days. For a funny and incredible photo story of Horner showing true class and sportsmanship:http://everydayathleteblog.com/2008/07/12/chris-horner-gives-fallen-rider-and-bike-a-2k-ride-to-the-finish/

Overall Classication Cascade Cycling Classic (July, 9-13th):

1. Levi Leipheimer (AST); 2. Jeff Louder 2.35; 3. Darren Lill 2.38