Chris Horner wins Stage 4 of Tour of California

Wednesday’s stage: This was the first climbing stage, featuring a hilltop finish at Sierra Road above San Jose after an 81.8-mile trip from Livermore.

Winner: Chris Horner of Bend., Ore., and team RadioShack, left his teammate and three-time winner Levi Leipheimer behind with a late attack. Andy Schleck, 2010 Tour de France runner-up, finished second, more than a minute behind Horner. Leipheimer was fourth. Horner is having plenty of late-career success. At 10th, he was the top American at last year’s Tour de France.

Leader’s jersey: Horner, who turns 40 in October, took the overall lead, one he will be expected to keep at least until Friday’s time trial in Solvang.

Quote of the day: From Horner, on his thoughts while he was working the final climb: “Drill it as hard as you can, I want everybody to suffer and blow this race apart.”

STAGE 4 RESULTS

1. Chris Horner, Bend, Ore., Ben Swift, 3:27.51

2. Andy Schleck, Luxembourg, 0.01:15 behind

3. Rory Sutherland, Australia, same time

4. Levi Leipheimer, Santa Rosa; same time

5. Tom Danielson, Boulder, Colo., 1:22.00 behind

OVERALL STANDINGS (including time bonuses)

1. Chris Horner, Bend., Ore., 11.29.32

2. Levi Leipheimer, Santa Rosa, 0.01:15 behind

3. Tom Danielson, Boulder, Colo., 0:1:22 behind

4. Christian Vande Valde, Lemont, Ill., 0:01.29 behind

5. Rory Sutherland, Australia, 0:01:30 behind

Thursday’s Stage:

This will be the longest ride, as Stage 5 goes 138.9 miles from Seaside to Paso Robles. Though there will be four rated climbs, this stage has a flat finish and is made for sprinters.