Two-time Amgen Tour California winner and 2009 favorite Levi Leipheimer (Astana — SRAM RED) set a course record of 30:41 at Friday’s 15 mile (24k) time trial in Solvang. Leipheimer stamped a bit of authority on the week-long race after taking 8 seconds out of second-placed multi-time U.S. National TT champion Dave Zabriskie (Garmin - Slipstream). Levi rode the SRAM 900 aero TT shifters Friday and teammate Lance Armstrong rode prototype versions of the 1090 R2C’s.While Zabriskie concedes the fact that Leipheimer is the strongest rider in the race, two more stages remain with some serious opportunities for the top challengers. The race ends this Sunday in Escondido, CA.