2010 Amgen Tour of California

The attacks on Mulholland Highway during the final stage of the Tour of California cycling race were relentless and furious, with both David Zabriskie and defending-champion Levi Leipheimer trying to drop leader Michael Rogers. But Rogers responded to every attack to secure his narrow victory in the eight-stage tour. The race moved this year from February to May, putting it in direct competition with one of Europe's Grand Tours, the Giro d'Italia. The Tour of California may have had more star power, with top names like Lance Armstrong, Andy Schleck, Fabian Cancellara, Mark Cavendish, and Jens Voigt all taking the start. ( 24 photos total)

Riders head through Nevada City, Calif. at the start of the eight-day Tour of California cycling race May 16. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Residents chalk the message 'Nevada City welcomes you' May 16 before the start of the 104-mile first stage between Nevada City and Sacramento. (REUTERS/Anthony Bolante) #

Cycling fan Dory Holte runs next to the breakaway group of four riders on a climb during the first stage May 16. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) #

The peloton passes through Auburn during the first stage May 16. (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) #

(Left to right) Karl Menzies, Tom Boonen, and George Hincapie gather themselves after crashing just a few hundred yards from the finish during the first stage May 16. (AP Photo/The Sacramento Bee/Randall Benton) #

Mark Cavendish out-sprints Juan Jose Haedo for the first stage win May 16 in Sacramento. (Chris Graythen/Getty Images) #

Mark Cavendish (in the leader's yellow jersey) leads the peloton at the start of the second stage May 17 in Davis. (Chris Graythen/Getty Images) #

The peloton rolls along Pleasant Valley Road during the second stage from Davis to Santa Rosa May 17 in Solano County. (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) #

The peloton passes through vineyards during the second stage May 17 in Napa County. (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) #

Lance Armstrong signs autographs for fans at the start of the third stage from San Francisco to Santa Cruz May 18 in San Francisco. (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) #

Fans shadow the peloton in San Francisco at the start of the third stage May 18. (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) #

The peloton climbs Tunitas Creek Road during the third stage May 18 in San Mateo County. (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) #

The peloton skirts the Pacific Coast during the third stage May 18 in Montara. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) #

David Zabriskie holds a surfboard on the podium after beating Michael Rogers (left) and Levi Leipheimer to win the third stage in Santa Cruz May 18. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) #

The peloton pushes through downtown San Jose on the fourth stage May 19. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) #

The peloton passes the Calaveras Reservoir during the fourth stage from San Jose to Modesto May 19 in Alameda County. (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) #

Francesco Chicci enjoys his victory kisses from the podium girls after winning the fourth stage May 19 in Modesto. (Chris Graythen/Getty Images) #

Lance Armstrong is helped up after crashing during the fifth stage outside Visalia May 20. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) #

Children wave at the passing peloton from a a school bus during the fifth stage in Visalia May 20. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) #

The peloton races along Angeles Crest Highway, scene of recent wild fires, during the sixth stage May 21 in Palmdale. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) #

Michael Rogers, in the yellow leader's jersey, takes a corner in front of a Frank Gehry-designed concert hall during the individual time trial in stage seven May 22 in Los Angeles. (Chris Graythen/Getty Images) #

The peloton makes the climb up Mulholland Highway during the eighth and final stage May 23, a circuit race in Los Angeles County. (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) #

Fans cheer on the breakaway group of riders along Mullholland Highway during the final stage near Thousand Oaks May 23. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) #

Michael Rogers rides ahead of Levi Leipheimer and David Zabriskie as they climb the Mulholland Highway during the final stage May 23 in Los Angeles County. (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) #

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2010 Amgen Tour of California