SAN JOSE, Calif. — With a quick uphill burst, Bend’s Chris Horner rode away from teammate Levi Leipheimer in the final 2 miles and pedaled into the race lead at the Tour of California on Wednesday.

Horner, a member of Team RadioShack who last year finished 10th in the Tour de France as the top American, completed the 81.8-mile Livermore to San Jose road race in 3 hours, 27 minutes and 51 seconds.

Andy Schleck (Leopard-Trek) of Luxembourg, the 2009 and 2010 Tour de France runner-up, finished second, 1 minute and 15 seconds behind.

Rory Sutherland (United Healthcare) of Australia was third, just behind Schleck.

Horner, who finished fourth overall last year in the Tour of California, leads the seven-day race by 1:15 over Leipheimer, the three-time race winner.

“I was riding in support of Levi (Leipheimer); I always gave him room,” said Horner, who began his pro career in 1995 and at 39 is the second-oldest rider in the race.

With teammates providing support through the stage, which included four categorized climbs, Horner waited until the base of the final 3.5-mile climb to the finish to launch his move.

Leipheimer followed, but it was soon apparent Horner was the strongest rider.

“I wanted to break the race apart,” Horner said following the first mountaintop finish in the six-year race’s history.

The seven-day race continues today.

— The Associated Press