Tour of California: Lance Armstrong Crashes, Teammate Takes Lead

A group of bystanders with surfboards watch as the breakaway riders pass by on Highway 1 near Davenport, CA (AP Photo/Michael A. Mariant)

The Tour of California exemplified the state's beauty yesterday, running 116 miles from Sausalito to Santa Cruz over the Golden Gate Bridge, along the ocean (close enough for waves to spray riders) and through redwood tree lined arteries. "This was certainly a great showcase for two iconic locations in the state of California," said Andrew Messick, president, AEG Sports, referring to the bridge and the finish line in Santa Cruz, both which are firsts for the race.

Despite the nice visuals along the coast, it was another treacherous and rainy day. “Turn your shower on as cold as it is and stand there for four hours. That’s what it’s like,” explained Levi Leipheimer, a Santa Rosa resident, two time winner of the Tour and the race's current frontrunner.

Lance Armstrong, once of Leipheimer's teammates on Team Astana, moved up to 4th place today, even after a crash with a motorcycle. Armstrong t-boned a motorcycle carrying a photographer that was in front of him after it took a spill, he twittered after the race. His hip was a "little banged up," but otherwise he was okay. On Sunday, his time trial bike was stolen. His spirits are reportedly still high--this is, after all, Armstrong's first race in the US since coming out of retirement.

Another crash, however, involved about fifteen cyclists and Andy Jacques-Maynes of Team Bissell Pro Cycling to the hospital after he fell onto a parked car.

Team Garmin-Slipstream's 22-year-old Thomas Peterson--overall in 23rd place--won Stage 2 with Leipheimer close behind. “It was easy,” he said. Of course, he happens to be from rainy North Bend, Washington and trailed behind Leipheimer avoiding the wind and then overtook him to finish the stage.

There six stages left with tomorrow's stage spanning 104 miles between San Jose and Modesto. Five miles in, there will be a 10 percent grade, but the last 50 miles will be flat.

The tour will later come to the Los Angeles area on Saturday morning, starting in Santa Clarita and racing to Pasadena. It will then have it's last stage (out of eight total plus a prologue) near San Diego.