Leipheimer extends lead in Tour of California

SOLVANG, California (Reuters) - Champion Levi Leipheimer extended his race lead in the Tour of California on Friday with a dominant individual time trial victory.

Leipheimer, who took the race lead on Wednesday, completed the 24.1-kilometre stage in 30 minutes, 46 seconds.

The Astana rider began the stage with a 13-second margin over Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland, but now holds a 49-second advantage over Britain's David Millar (Slipstream), who finished the stage 29 seconds behind the American.

Miller's team mate Christian Vandevelde finished third and improved to third overall,1:08 behind Leipheimer.

Cancellara (CSC) finished the stage in fifth, more than one minute behind last year's third-place finisher at the Tour de France.

Two stages of the seven-stage, eight-day race remain, both including categorized climbs. Sunday's concluding stage from Santa Clarita to Pasadena features the highest elevation of the event at 1,495 meters.

(Reporting by James Raia; Editing by Greg Stutchbury)