The palm trees of Santa Barbara tower over the peloton as it leaves town for Santa Clarita...

Juan Jose Haedo tries to start an escape for CSC, but like many others, this move fails...

Pete Cozza is leading an escape that has got away after 25-kilometres...

Rumour has it that David Millar is going to attack Astana at the end of the day - he's about 30-seconds down overall...

The genuine thing - fans of Levi Leipheimer cheer the peloton along...

There's an American welcome for Astana as the peloton races through Santa Paula after 48-miles...

Karsten Kroon and David Cañada are leading the escape towards Balcombe Canyon with a six-minute lead...

The 'Crazed Eagle' awaits his heroes on the Balcombe Canyon climb...

Two regular eccentrics greet the peloton on the steepest part of the ascent...

The peloton descends through a lunar-like landscape in Ventura County...

All the sprinters' teams are at the front now - with 25-kilometres to go, the peloton is still four minutes down...

Mario Cipollini smells the sprint to come in Santa Clarita - better get those overshoes off now...

Kroon and Cañada are driving the escape through the finish with three laps to go - can they hold on to a two-minute lead..?

Levi Leipheimer looks regal in his race-leader's jersey - despite losing teamate Gusev in a crash earlier in the day...

Mark Cavendish has been caught in a crash with Cipollini and Rodriguez - he chases to get back on...

Luca Pagliarini (left) looks to be the closest to the line, but why is Ciolek celebrating a win..?

Mark Cavendish races across the line ahead of everyone else - that's why Ciolek was celebrating..! But the celebration would not last long…

Luca Pagliarini is declared the winner after officials disqualify Cavendish for chasing back behind his team car... Brazil!!!