Rogers takes lead heading into tough Big Bear stage

The Tour of California left its star attraction behind in Visalia, then rolled into Bakersfield with a new race leader.

Lance Armstrong crashed about 4 miles into the 121.5-mile fifth stage Thursday — the same day he was accused of doping by former teammate Floyd Landis. Armstrong resumed riding but soon had to quit the race because of his injuries.

Michael Rogers of Australia moved into the overall lead with his second-place finish. Dave Zabriskie — also implicated by Landis — was third in the stage and second overall.

"Obviously, I woke up this morning and heard the news like everybody else did," Rogers said of Landis' accusations. "I came here to win this race, and that's what I concentrated on during the race. I didn't think of anything else."

Levi Leipheimer, the three-time defending race titlist, is third in the standings, trailing by 10 seconds.

Leipheimer ignored shouts from reporters — who were seeking comment about Landis' charges — as he pedaled to the start line.

At the end of the stage, he stepped into the RadioShack bus without answering questions.

Peter Sagan of Slovakia won Thursday's stage in 4 hours, 52 minutes and 58 seconds, and is fourth overall, 15 seconds behind Rogers.

The eight-day race continues today with what race organizers have billed as the toughest stage in the race's five-year history: a 135.3-mile route from Palmdale to Big Bear Lake that features more than 12,000 feet of climbing before finishing at the Snow Summit ski area.