Leipheimer wins road race at USA Cycling Championships
GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Levi Leipheimer took the lead from his teammate in the final three finishing circuits to win the road race title Sunday at the USA Cycling Professional Championships.
Leipheimer of Butte, Mont., finished the 110-mile road race in a time of 4 hours, 22 minutes, 19 seconds -- 1:11 ahead of George Hincapie, who won the road race championship in his hometown last year.
Neil Shirley, of San Diego, was another three seconds back in third, edging out three-time USA Cycling pro road race champion Fred Rodriguez.
Leipheimer, who finished third in the Tour de France this year, said "2007 has been a dream come true for me."
"And to come here to Greenville and be the U.S. champion, that's more than I ever dreamed of," Leipheimer said.
The race started with 114 riders, but only 30 finished.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
