Leipheimer keeps lead in wet Tour of California stage

SAN LUIS OBISPO -- Defending champion Levi Leipheimer maintained his lead Thursday in the Tour of California, while Canada's Dominique Rollin won the nearly 7-hour fourth stage from Seaside in rainy conditions.

Rollin, the 2006 Canadian road-race champion, emerged from a lead group of seven riders with about 12½ miles left and finished the 135-mile road race in 6 hours, 56 minutes, 8 seconds.

"With about 25 miles left, I looked around, and I knew I was one of the strongest guys," said Rollin, who began the stage in 62nd place overall. "With about 6 miles left, I had a 40-second lead. I couldn't help it, I had a smile on my face."

Leipheimer, who assumed a 13-second race lead after Wednesday's Stage 3 from Modesto to San Jose, finished 16th in the main field Thursday, 2:28 behind the winner. He maintained the same margin over Fabian Cancellara (CSC) of Switzerland, the prologue winner.

Riding often in steady rain and crosswinds gusting more than 30 mph, Rollin persevered on a stage that ravaged the field.

Combined with a 6-mile ceremonial, non-timed parade start in Seaside, the riders pedaled for nearly 7½ hours.

"In these kind of conditions, you have to think that everyone feels the same," Leipheimer said. "What can you ask for after 7 hours in freezing cold rain? But I did my best to take care of myself and I'll do my best tomorrow."

The weather also prompted a slow pace. The winner averaged only 19.5 mph. The same stage last year, ridden with a tailwind and mostly sunny conditions, took about 2 hours less to complete.

George Hincapie (High Road) of Greenville, S.C., finished second in the stage and Iker Camano (Saunier-Duval) of Spain was third, both crossing the finish line 18 seconds behind Rollin. Ben Jacques-Maynes of San Jose finished 34th, and is 17th overall.

The remaining 105 riders from the starting field of 132 will compete in the 15-mile individual time trial Stage 5 today in Solvang. The eight-day race ends Sunday.