and welcome to VeloNews.com's Live Coverage of the seventh and final stage of the 2008 Amgen Tour of California. The stage will begin at 12:00 PST, so it should just be a few minutes before the peloton rolls into the neutral zone.

We did mention the possibility that there might be a weather-prompted route adjustment, but the Tour of California has released the following statement:

The race is on for the Amgen Leader Jersey in the 2008 Amgen Tour of California. Following course assessment for safety and conditions, the route will remain as planned for the final stage of the race today from Santa Clarita to Pasadena. The riders will leave Santa Clarita at noon and are expected to arrive in Pasadena between 2:30 and 3 p.m., at which point they will complete six 5-mile circuit laps around the Rose Bowl and will cross the finish line between 3:30 and 4 p.m.

Will defending champion Levi Leipheimer (USA) of Astana be able to take it all again this year? Fans are encouraged to come out and watch all of the exciting race action leading up to the thrilling finish in Pasadena. Spots to watch include: Millcreek Summit and the finish at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

in Santa Clarita:

Mostly cloudy with scattered showers. Highs in the lower to mid 50s. South winds 15 mph ... becoming southwest 10 to 20 mph.

In Pasadena:

Mostly cloudy with scattered showers. Breezy. Highs in the mid to upper 50s. South winds 10 to 20 mph ... becoming southwest.

Fred Rodriguez (Rock Racing) hit the deck near yesterday's finish. He got up and finished but remains questionable for today. We'll let you know if he starts today.

The roads are wet at the start today ... and the peloton is heading off the line, riding through the neutral zone.

Most riders in the peloton are sporting jackets and leg warmers on this chilly start. We have spotted Fred Rodriguez in the group, so he's feeling well enough to ride. Good to see that.

zone. Riders are simply cruising through the neutral zone and enjoying a relaxed chat as they amble through town.

Tim Johnson (Health Net) and Alexander Candelario (Kelly Benefit) are among several riders who did not make the start. There are now fewer than 90 riders in the field.

We have an attack ... we see about six riders, led by Mike Creed (Rock Racing), and we'll try to ID the rest.

The men in the break (and their places on GC) include:
39. Doug Ollerenshaw (USA), Rock Racing, 20:16
49. Dimitri Champion (F), Bouygues Telecom, 31:43
69. John Murphy (USA), Health Net-Maxxis, 37:49
75. Steven Cozza (USA), Slipstream-Chipotle, 38:52
85. Jonathan Mumford (USA), Kelly Benefit Strategies-Medifast, 42:27
91. Michael Creed (USA), Rock Racing, 52:29

Reportedly is sick, but he did make the start today.

is quite frantic. It doesn't look like that this group is going to stick. CSC, not represented in the break, is driving.

Jens Voigt has bridged to the group, meaning that CSC will ease up, but the peloton is now being driven by Astana.

There are a few riders trying to stay away, but the peloton is coming up fast.

Mike Creed is driving hard at the front of the survivors of the break. He must be feeling better ... he's been sick all week. We find that impressive, and at least one of our readers agrees:

Phil D writes:

How about the toughest-guy award to the last guy, Michael Creed, 91st? He was 132nd and still last. When was the last time a guy moved up 41 places and still was DFL? Reports said he caught the bug day 1 and is hanging in there.

is still setting a tempo at the front as the terrain turns upward. He's even dropping Voigt.

at the front. If this thing sticks, Creed deserves the credit for this one. The sun is coming out.

Obviously Creed is in there. We see Slipstream's Danny Pate ... and we're working on the rest. They have 55 seconds on the main field.

We are still trying to ID the men in the break, but we do see High Road's George Hincapie.

The men in the break (and their places on GC) are:


18. George Hincapie (USA), Team High Road, 7:30
22. Oliver Zaugg (Swi), Gerolsteiner, 9:24
29. Yannick Talabardon (F), Credit Agricole, 15:01
32. Jason McCartney (USA), CSC
36. Rory Sutherland (Aus), Health Net Maxxis, 19:32
41. Tom Zirbel (USA), Bissell Pro Cycling, 22:39
49. Dimitri Champion (F), Bouygues Telecom, 31:43
50. Danny Pate (USA), Slipstream-Chipotle, 31:51
77. Taylor Tolleson (USA), BMC, 39:11
91. Michael Creed (USA), Rock Racing, 52:29

There is limited cooperation in this group, but the ones who are working are putting time on the main field. The gap is now 1:35.

are working hard enough to warrant the removal of their jackets and arm warmers. The gap is up to 1:40, after 12 miles of racing.

is at the front of the main field. No one else is giving chase.

is lending a hand in the peloton. Bettini still wants a stage win, no?

is now up to 2:00.

The men in the break (and their places on GC) are:


18. George Hincapie (USA), Team High Road, 7:30
22. Oliver Zaugg (Swi), Gerolsteiner, 9:24
29. Yannick Talabardon (F), Credit Agricole, 15:01
32. Jason McCartney (USA), CSC
36. Rory Sutherland (Aus), Health Net-Maxxis, 19:32
41. Tom Zirbel (USA), Bissell Pro Cycling, 22:39
49. Dimitri Champion (F), Bouygues Telecom, 31:43
50. Danny Pate (USA), Slipstream-Chipotle, 31:51
77. Taylor Tolleson (USA), BMC, 39:11
91. Michael Creed (USA), Rock Racing, 52:29

the lanterne rouge (that's French for "D.F.L.") in the tour, has clearly recovered from his illness this week. He's in the break with one of his oldest buddies, Danny Pate (Slipstream). Those two have been riding together since they were juniors in Colorado and are best of friends and training partners in Colorado Springs ... although they are now on teams with decidedly different PR strategies, eh?

The men in the lead are getting down to the business at hand and working well together. They've extended their lead to 2:30.

by hitting the "Contact the Editors" button below. We will try to answer questions when we get the opportunity.

popped out, the weather is beginning to look a bit touchy. No rain yet, but the clouds are moving in.

The timer's moto just pulled alongside the leaders and the board says "3:00"

is not a factor ... none of the men in the break has much reason to contest this one today.

cruises through the sprint mark first in the bunch.

The men in the break (and their places on GC) are:


18. George Hincapie (USA), Team High Road, 7:30
22. Oliver Zaugg (Swi), Gerolsteiner, 9:24
29. Yannick Talabardon (F), Credit Agricole, 15:01
32. Jason McCartney (USA), CSC
36. Rory Sutherland (Aus), Health Net-Maxxis, 19:32
41. Tom Zirbel (USA), Bissell Pro Cycling, 22:39
49. Dimitri Champion (F), Bouygues Telecom, 31:43
50. Danny Pate (USA), Slipstream-Chipotle, 31:51
77. Taylor Tolleson (USA), BMC, 39:11
91. Michael Creed (USA), Rock Racing, 52:29

in to today's 93.4-mile stage, the gap is 3:20.

Creed is apparently suffering from some problem with his hand. He is receiving sage advice from team owner Michael Ball ... but the medical car is moving up, too, should Mr. Ball's words of inspiration fail to address the problem.

R.G. writes in to ask:

Is there a consensus that the ATOC has become the premier domestic road event in the U.S.? Will its status ever likely elevate in regards to its international ranking?

Certainly, the TOC is the biggest and best race in the U.S. Most riders and teams would agree. As for the chance of this race to move up in international stature, we would have to say the opportunity is there. Keep in mind that the Tour Down Under is now on the ProTour calendar.

the 10 leaders are 3:25 ahead of the peloton. The leaders are 33 miles into the stage and there are 60 miles remaining.

is moving ahead of the rest of the break on his own. With 59 miles remaining we'd question whether he's pursuing a wise strategy. He's not really riding away from the bunch, hoping at least someone joins him.

the clouds. The top of Millcreek Summit is covered in clouds. There were fears that the 4900-foot mountain would get snow at some point today. That's not the case, but it looks like rain.

it's getting cloudy at the finish in Pasadena. Are we going to see rain at the finish today?

is now 3:05, as the peloton cruises through the feed zone and the leaders are slipping on rain jackets.

again off on his own. It looks like he's lost patience with the other nine in the break. He really must be feeling better today.

have blasted out of the peloton. Rock Racing's Victor Hugo Pena is one of them.

from Slipstream is also in the break, as is Robert Gesink, the best young rider. Peterson is Gesink's closest rival for the young guys' jersey.

So we have three danger riders working up the road.

9. Robert Gesink (Nl), Rabobank, 2:18
11. Thomas Peterson (USA), Slipstream-Chipotle, 2:58
12. Victor Hugo Pena (Col), Rock Racing, 3:17

have a small gap on the field. Up front, Creed is still on his own, about 15 seconds ahead of rest of the break.

is still on his own - well, unless you count the Antler Dufus. He's running alongside the Rock Racing rider. How come there's never a stroke of lightning around when you need one?

but there is a lot of action coming out of the main field. Zabriskie, Millar and several CSC riders are putting the hammer down. Leipheimer is reacting.

has really broken things apart ... but we can expect some regrouping on the descent.

is coming down the back side of Millcreek Summit. He is fighting something of a headwind.

has flatted, but he's already working his way back.

The peloton has broken into four or five groups.

Most of the the original 10-man break is now just 2:30 ahead of the Leipheimer/Zabriskie group. Creed is about 20 seconds ahead of the other nine.

with the other nine men in the original break. They are getting down to business and working to extend their lead.

The leading 10 are only 1:35 ahead of the next group, which includes Leipheimer, David Millar and David Zabriskie.

is growing as many riders gapped on the climb have rejoined. The gap to the 10 escapees is shrinking. At last check it was 1:35.

has taken a tumble, crashing in a tunnel along the descent. The Rock Racing sprinter is up again.

The peloton has slowed, and that is giving a chance to some of the gapped riders to rejoin. The gap up front is up to 2:00.

have extended their advantage back up to 3:00.

it's a good time to review who is in that group up front:

The men in the break (and their places on GC) are:


18. George Hincapie (USA), Team High Road, 7:30
22. Oliver Zaugg (Swi), Gerolsteiner, 9:24
29. Yannick Talabardon (F), Credit Agricole, 15:01
32. Jason McCartney (USA), CSC
36. Rory Sutherland (Aus), Health Net-Maxxis, 19:32
41. Tom Zirbel (USA), Bissell Pro Cycling, 22:39
49. Dimitri Champion (F), Bouygues Telecom, 31:43
50. Danny Pate (USA), Slipstream-Chipotle, 31:51
77. Taylor Tolleson (USA), BMC, 39:11
91. Michael Creed (USA), Rock Racing, 52:29

That little dig by Pena, Gesink and Peterson was pulled back before the summit, by the way.

is back and the roads are getting a bit damp.

is growing. The 10 leaders are now 3:20 ahead of a mostly regrouped peloton.

is now moving up in the peloton, lending a hand with the chase.

hard enough to leave puddles on the road. It's getting chilly out there.

The gap is still holding at around 3:15. The rain is really picking up. It's also now starting to rain at the finish.

is 2:50 to the 10 men in the lead group. Of the riders in the break, Zirbel has been showing signs of fatigue.

The rain is really heavy at this point. There is a great deal of fog and it's making the descent a little dicey.

is 2:45. We have to wonder how the road conditions will affect these riders' chances on the escape attempt. The leaders are 40 miles from the finish, meaning that it'll be another 10 miles before they reach the finishing circuit.

splitting up as some of the men in the break are taking a few more risks on the descent than others.

is coming together again. With 35 miles remaining, the gap is now 2:05.

the leaders are off of the big descent. The gap is now 2:45.

is off the descent. It looks like everyone made it down without crashing on those very, very wet roads. The pace has picked up and the gap is now down to 2:10.

man is it coming down. The leaders still have six trips around a 4.5-mile loop.

the gap is shrinking, with less than 30 miles to go.

There a thousands of people lining the course as our leaders pass through the finish line for the first of six laps on the finishing circuit.

comes through 2:00 behind the 10 leaders.

takes a dig. No luck, though, for the man who scored a stage win at last year's Vuelta a Espana.

are back together. The gap is 1:50, with 24 miles to go.

attacks and Hincapie has been responding. Now the burden is falling on the shoulders of other riders.

is now trying his hand. Behind, the peloton is just driving, single file, with Rabobank and Quick Step setting the tempo at the front.

a chance - there is a little gap, with Creed, Champion and Hincapie at the front.

in the front and now Tom Zirbel is trying his hand at an escape. He has a gap.

is maintaining a little gap over the other men in the break. He's in full TT mode, but he has 22 miles left.

has now arrived at the Rose Bowl in its full splendor. Tom Zirbel is still holding a 15-second lead over the rest of the men in the break. The peloton is moving through the finish area, and the gap is 2:29 to Zirbel.

continues to push it hard. He showed his skill as a time trialist on Friday. He is certainly capable of riding this distance at full gas ... and maybe if the peloton catches the others, there may be a momentary lull, giving him a little help.

The time gaps are looking good. He has about a 30-second advantage over the rest of the men in the break. The peloton is still at 2:30.

and Quick Step are driving the peloton. The nine chasers are not putting in a big effort right now. They may get swept up in a few miles, while Tom Zirbel is still off on his own, riding hard with 18 miles to go.

We should get some good time checks as he comes through.

is now chasing out of the chase group and trying to bridge up to Zirbel, with 17 miles to go.

Zirbel leads Sutherland by 20 seconds. The remaining eight men from the original break are at 0:35 and the peloton comes through at 2:32. Zirbel is actually gaining time on the field.

has company. Hincapie, McCartney and Creed have joined up with the Aussie chaser.

is about to be reeled in by the four-man chase group of Sutherland, Hincapie, McCartney and Creed.

are still driving the chase. Our last time check put them at 2:30, but it has to be narrower now. Meanwhile, Zirbel is still off the front on his own. He's holding these guys at bay.

has his head down and is cranking hard as he enters the finish area, for three laps to go.

is only 14 seconds ahead of his closest pursuers, with 14 miles to go.

to the peloton is 2:07.

is pouring down on everyone out there. This may be helping Zirbel. He's certainly holding his own.

With 10 miles to go, the race is still being led by Tom Zirbel, with Creed, Hincapie, McCartney and Sutherland. The peloton is around 2:00 back.

heading to the end of the lap. With two laps to go, we'll get time checks.

is sweeping up the remnants of the break (remember those five guys?). Zirbel is 15 seconds ahead of his four chasers.

comes through the finish area 1:47 behind Zirbel.

Zirbel, is still dangling off the front. Astana is now putting in an effort in the chase.

He is holding off his pursuers, but they look awful close.

the chase group looks poised to pull Zirbel back in - but they've appeared to be doing that for many miles.

Zirbel is losing a bit of his advantage. With just 4.5 miles left it looks like the day's winner will emerge from this group of five.

One lap to go. One lap to go ... and Zirbel is holding on to a 15-second lead over Hincapie, McCartney, Sutherland and Creed.

Oh man ... he's suffering out there, but you HAVE to be cheering for this guy.

comes through at around 1:35 ... count them out of the picture, but watch the field sprint for the points contest.

Hincapie and Sutherland have just passed him ... Zirbel is fighting to catch on.

are catching up.

attacks ... but it's together in the final 2 miles.

are all together ... this is the group of winners.

takes a big dig. Hincapie is on his wheel.

are driving to the finish, with McCartney driving hard to catch on.

caught the two leaders. It looks like Creed and Zirbel are out of contention.

heading to the finish.

as the three men up front jockey for position and Creed is clawing his way back.

Zirbel catches on!

Hincapie comes around ... and he wins! George Hincapie gets a win for Team High Road. On the attack all day and he wins, with the peloton coming in fast!

It looks Cavendish takes the field sprint, a scant 16 seconds behind the winners - and, of course, Levi Leipheimer wins the 2008 Amgen Tour of California, his second win in as many years.

1. George Hincapie (USA), Team High Road
2. Rory Sutherland (Aus), Health Net
3. Jason McCartney (USA), CSC
4. Michael Creed (USA), Rock Racing
5. Tom Zirbel (USA), Bissell
6. Michael Cavendish (GB), Team High Road, at 0:16

for points results. That was a tight race, with J.J. Haedo trailing Rollin by 3 points at the start of the day.

keeps the sprint jersey. Dominique Rollin is the points winner of the 2008 Tour of California. Robert Gesink (Rabobank) wins the best young rider for the second year in a row. Scott Nydam (BMC) takes the KOM. Slipstream - with two men on the podium - snags the team prize... and once again Levi Leipheimer (Astana) wins the overall title.

Thank you for tuning in to VeloNews.com's Live Coverage of the Amgen Tour of California. We enjoyed it, and we especially enjoyed hearing from our readers throughout.

We'll be doing Live Coverage from Paris-Nice next month. Be sure to check in later today, for a complete summary of today's stage, results and photos.

Enjoy your evening.