Levi Leipheimer repeated his 2007 Tour of California victory with a strong performance to win again in the eight-day race that finished Feb 24th, 2008.

In a race that saw a lot of rainy-weather riding, Leipheimer took the crown by pairing a stage 5 time trial victory with a second place finish in the stage 3 run from Modesto to San José.

This might look like a spot-on tune-up for Leipheimer for a full year of racing, including a desire to reclaim a podium spot at the Tour de France after his third place finish last year. But Leipheimer and his Astana teammates have learned that they aren't being invited by Tour de France organizers, due to Astana's involvement in doping in past Tours de France. The most visible incident last year knocked leader and Astana rider Alexander Vinokourov right out of the race.

All that preceded Leipheimer's signing with Astana however, and there are those who feel that Levi and teammate Alberto Contador, who won the TdF last year are being unfairly punished for the sins of others. Their complaint is embodied most visibly in the Let Levi Ride campaign.

Will Levi Leipheimer be able to stand again on the TdF podium like he did in California last weekend? It's looking increasingly unlikely. . .

Final Overall Results - Amgen Tour of California

1. Levi Leipheimer (USA), Astana, 29:24:32
2. David Millar (GB), Slipstream-Chipotle, 0:49
3. Christian Vandevelde (USA), Slipstream-Chipotle, 1:08
4. Fabian Cancellara (Swi), CSC, 1:18
5. Gustav Larsson (Swe), CSC, 1:19
6. David Zabriskie (USA), Slipstream-Chipotle, 1:36
7. Christopher Horner (USA), Astana, 2:07
8. Jurgen Vandewalle (B), Quickstep, 2:11
9. Robert Gesink (Nl), Rabobank, 2:18
10. Alexandre Moos (Swi), BMC, 2:27

View the rest of the field
More Tour of California coverage

Photo of Levi Leipheimer - Doug Pensinger/Getty Images