London - AFP
American Levi Leipheimer won the first stage of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge, finishing the 159.8 kilometer (100 mile) stage in four hours, 28 minutes and 22 seconds. Leipheimer, who rides for RadioShack, sprinted to the finish, distancing himself from the lead group with about 450 meters (1,500 feet) remaining. Sergio Luis Henao, of Colombia, was second, with Frank Schleck, of Luxembourg, seven seconds behind Leipheimer in third. Leipheimer will have an 11-second advantage going into the next stage on Wednesday. Christian Vande Velde finished fifth on Tuesday and is second overall. Tejay Van Garderen of Montana is third overall, 17 seconds adrift.