SRAM-equipped Levi Leipheimer, Lance Armstrong, and Chris Horner took an early and dominant role at the first stage of the ‘SRAM Tour of the Gila’ by placing Horner on the front late in the stage to pull back a dangerous move. The ‘Mellow Johnny’s’ trio then caught the break midway up the final ascent with Lance driving and ultimately unleashing Levi on with only a few miles to go. Levi finished somewhere in the range of a minute up, no official times have been released. The black kitted crew are hard to recognize in their non-Astana gear. The determination finally came early yesterday from USA Cycling that the team could race but not as the ProTour Astana squad, rather, represent Armstrong’s Austin-based bike shop, Mellow Johnny’s. Lepheimer was hesitant to look for a win so early, but with Lance’s encouragement and lead-out, took the race by the reigns late. Thursday’s 80-mile stage will be a brute with lots of vertical, tricky descents, and high winds. For more updates and photos, check out the www.theroaddiaries.com.