133 miles later, Denmark's Kasper Asgreen wins Amgen Stage 2 in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - People in over 200 countries were watching as 132 cyclists climbed more than 14,500 feet over 133.6 miles Monday, a ride that separated the pack as they crossed the finish line in South Lake Tahoe during the 17th annual Amgen Tour of California.

At the end of the day Kasper Asgreen from Denmark, who rides for Belgium's Deceuninck – Quick – Step, is wearing the green leader jersey. Asgreen finished first, 6 hours, 17 minutes and 11 seconds after leaving Rancho Cordova.

Tejay van Garderen of the United States was less than a second behind after a grueling final stretch up Ski Run Boulevard and Wildwood Avenue as they headed to the Heavenly Mountain Resort. Van Garderen rides for EF Education First Pro Cycling which is headquartered in Boulder, Colo. Even though second on Monday he now wears the leader's jersey and leads the race by six seconds

In third was Gianni Moscon of Italy who rides for Team Ineos of Great Britain.

The jersey winners after Stage 2 (Pictured above):

Amgen Race Leader Jersey – Tejay van Garderen (USA), EF Education First (USA)

Breakaway from Cancer® Most Courageous Rider Jersey – Evan Huffman (USA), Rally UHC Cycling, (USA)

Lexus King of the Mountain (KOM) Jersey – Davide Ballerini (ITA), Astana Pro Team (KAZ)

Visit California Sprint Jersey – Kasper Asgreen (DEN), Deceuninck – Quick – Step (BEL)

TAG Heuer Best Young Rider Jersey – Tadej Pogacar (SLO), UAE Team Emirates (UAE)

"Couldn't have asked for such a beautiful place," said van Garderen of the race and Lake Tahoe after getting the yellow jersey. He said the day was a "little bit of luck, a little bit of race savvy" as he pulled away from the pack at the right time.

Sunday's Stage 1 leader, Peter Sagan, finished 85th Monday moving him to 67th overall.

A crowd of fans filled the Heavenly parking lot as large television screens showed the action as the racers went over Carson Pass and Luther Pass on their way to South Lake Tahoe.

The audience was treated to live commentary of the race. They said the racers had to load up on the calories before heading up the mountain, then they will have to replenish their bodies before Tuesday's start in the Central Valley. "They had to eat a burrito the size of a regulation rugby ball," they half-joked. Former American road racer Levi Leipheimer joined the announcers prior to the finish of the race. He won three Tour of California titles.

As van Garderen was greeted by cheers he said, "I feel good. I enjoy being up here and hearing the cheers." The American rider was born in Tacoma, Washington, but spent most of his childhood in Bozeman, Montana.

The racers and their entourage, Amgen event staff, television trucks and dozens of support vehicles all headed to Stockton for Stage 3 which starts Tuesday morning at 10:05 a.m. The 129.2-mile route takes them to Morgan Hill.

The final stage is on May 18 as the riders end in Pasadena.

Jersey Leader photo: L-R: Davide Ballerini, Kasper Asgreen, Tejay van Garderen, Tadej Pogacar and Evan Huffman