Spain's Francisco Mancebo won Stage one of the Tour of California in a rain soaked race that Lance Armstrong called, "Maybe one of the toughest days I've had on a bike, purely
based on the conditions. I'm still freezing."
According to AFP: "Mancebo, who rides for the US Rock Racing team, led much of the stage and held off Belgian Jurgen Van de Walle and Italian Francesco Nibali at the finish.
A group led by American Astana riders Levi Leipheimer and Lance Armstrong finished nearly two minutes later."
"I felt good, so I went for it," said Mancebo, but admitted that by the end of the stage he was struggling.
"Five kilometers from the finish I almost gave up," he said.
Swiss Olympic champion Fabian Cancellara, who started the day in the yellow jersey after winning the time-trial prologue on Saturday, did give up, pulling out in the midst of the stage because of a fever.
The top 5 finishers were as follows:
1) Francisco Mancebo (ESP), Rock Racing
2) Jurgen Van de Walle (BEL), Quick Step
3) Vincenzo Nibali (ITA), Liquigas
4) Steve Morabito (SUI), Astana
5) Lance Armstrong (USA), Astana
Stage 1 jersey winners include:
Amgen Race Leader Jersey- Francisco Mancebo (ESP), Rock Racing
Amgen's Breakaway from Cancer Most Courageous Rider Jersey- Ivan Basso (ITA), Liquigas
Herbalife Sprint Jersey- Francisco Mancebo (ESP), Rock Racing
Rabobank Best Young Rider Jersey- Robert Gesink (NED), Rabobank
California Travel & Tourism Commission King of the Mountain (KOM) Jersey- Francisco Mancebo (ESP), Rock Racing
