The 2007 Tour of California was the second edition of the Tour of California, an eight-day, 650-mile (1,045 km) stage race that passed through the California redwoods, wine country and the Pacific Coast. The road bicycle racing event was held on February 18, 2007. The 2007 Tour of California was part of the 2006âÂÂ2007 UCI America Tour and the inaugural 2007 USA Cycling Professional Tour.
On November 28, 2006, the UCI upgraded the multi-day event from 2.1 (category 1) to 2.HC (; English: beyond categorization).
The Prologue was an individual time trial held Sunday, February 18, 2007, in San Francisco. Native Californian and last year's prologue champion Levi Leipheimer edged out Colorado's Jason Donald from and former NCAA Road Champion Benjamin Jacques-Maynes.
Stage 1 was held Monday, February 19, 2007. A breakaway of four riders including Adam Hansen of was reeled in shortly before the finish in Santa Rosa. During the second of the three finishing laps in Santa Rosa, a crash took down most of the peloton, including leader Levi Leipheimer. Those not involved in the crash fought for the stage victory, taken by Graeme Brown by mere millimeters.
Riders involved in the crash lost several minutes, but the race officials decided to credit most of them with the winner's time, meaning that Leipheimer retained the leader's jersey. This decision, which meant extending the "safety zone" to 6 miles (10 km) before the end, was criticized by some riders and team staff.
Held Tuesday, February 20, 2007.
Held Wednesday, February 21, 2007.
Stage 4 was held Thursday, February 22, 2007. Reigning Olympic and World Champion Paolo Bettini captured Stage 4, the event's longest stage, edging Gerald Ciolek, Juan José Haedo, and Thor Hushovd in a sprint finish after the peloton reeled in a seven-man breakaway consisting of Hilton Clarke (), Aaron Olson (), Kirk O'Bee (), Alejandro Acton (), Christophe Laurent (), Lucas Euser (), and Sean Sullivan ().
Held Friday, February 23, 2007, Stage 5 was an individual time trial. Yellow jersey holder Levi Leipheimer extended his lead over second place Jens Voigt and the rest of the field.
Held Sunday, February 25, 2007.
General Classification after Stage 7 (Final results)