Leipheimer looks for first win of season

Nearly five months after breaking his leg in a training accident in Spain, Levi Leipheimer will begin defense of his USA Pro Cycling Challenge title today ( 1 p.m., NBC Sports) in hopes of claiming his first overall victory this season. Leipheimer, who is from Santa Rosa, Calif., will be among the favorites in the seven-day, 683-mile race that will include 126 riders from 16 teams. The race’s second edition, which will include more than 40,000 feet of climbing, begins with a 125.6-mile road race from Durango to Telluride. The riders will climb to Lizard Head Pass at more than 10,000 feet before a final 15-mile descent to the finish. –Associated Press