2007 Tour of California

The 2007 Tour of California was the second edition of the Tour of California, an eight-day, 650-mile (1,045 km) stage race that passed through the California redwoods, wine country and the Pacific Coast. The road bicycle racing event was held on February 18, 2007. The 2007 Tour of California was part of the 2006–2007 UCI America Tour and the inaugural 2007 USA Cycling Professional Tour. On November 28, 2006, the UCI upgraded the multi-day event from 2.1 (category 1) to 2.HC (French: Hors Categorie; English: beyond categorization). == Stages and results == === Prologue: San Francisco === The Prologue was an individual time trial held Sunday, February 18, 2007, in San Francisco. Native Californian and last year's prologue champion Levi Leipheimer edged out Colorado's Jason Donald from Slipstream–Chipotle and former NCAA Road Champion Benjamin Jacques-Maynes. === Stage 1: Sausalito to Santa Rosa === Stage 1 was held Monday, February 19, 2007. A breakaway of four riders including Adam Hansen of T-Mobile Team was reeled in shortly before the finish in Santa Rosa. During the second of the three finishing laps in Santa Rosa, a crash took down most of the peloton, including leader Levi Leipheimer. Those not involved in the crash fought for the stage victory, taken by Graeme Brown by mere millimeters. Riders involved in the crash lost several minutes, but the race officials decided to credit most of them with the winner's time, meaning that Leipheimer retained the leader's jersey. This decision, which meant extending the "safety zone" to 6 miles (10 km) before the end, was criticized by some riders and team staff. === Stage 2: Santa Rosa to Sacramento === Held Tuesday, February 20, 2007. === Stage 3: Stockton to San Jose === Held Wednesday, February 21, 2007. === Stage 4: Seaside to San Luis Obispo === Stage 4 was held Thursday, February 22, 2007. Reigning Olympic and World Champion Paolo Bettini captured Stage 4, the event's longest stage, edging Gerald Ciolek, Juan José Haedo, and Thor Hushovd in a sprint finish after the peloton reeled in a seven-man breakaway consisting of Hilton Clarke (Navigators Insurance), Aaron Olson (T-Mobile Team), Kirk O'Bee (Health Net–Maxxis), Alejandro Acton (Colavita–Sutter Home), Christophe Laurent (Crédit Agricole), Lucas Euser (Slipstream–Chipotle), and Sean Sullivan (Toyota–United). === Stage 5: Solvang time trial === Held Friday, February 23, 2007, Stage 5 was an individual time trial. Yellow jersey holder Levi Leipheimer extended his lead over second place Jens Voigt and the rest of the field. === Stage 6: Santa Barbara to Santa Clarita === Young Rider Classification Robert Gesink (NED), Rabobank, 22.20.46 Most Aggressive Rider Stuart O'Grady (AUS), Team CSC Team classification Team CSC, 66.56.17 Discovery Channel, +2.19 T-Mobile Team, +3.20 === Stage 7: Long Beach circuit race === Held Sunday, February 25, 2007. == Final results == General Classification after Stage 7 (Final results) == Jersey progress == == Teams == == References == == External links == Official website - 2007 Tour Archive Live Coverage and Photos Cyclingfans.com