Video: Leipheimer discusses Tour de San Luis ambitions

Omega Pharma-Quick Step started the Tour de San Luis firing on all cylinders, with Italy's Francesco Chicchi winning the first two stages and earning the leader's jersey at the biggest race in South America. On Wednesday's third stage it was Levi Leipheimer's turn to shine as he was the only rider to answer Alberto Contador's decisive attack near the summit of the Mirador del Potrero mountain finish.

Leipheimer finished in the same time as stage winner Contador and enters Thursday's 19.5km time trial just four seconds down on the Spaniard.

Cyclingnews spoke to Leipheimer prior to the start of stage 2 in Fraga where he discussed the team's opening day stage win, the apocalyptic conditions, who he sees as his main rivals for overall victory, and the decision to begin his season in Argentina in his first outing for Omega Pharma-Quick Step.

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Based in the southeastern United States, Peter produces race coverage for all disciplines, edits news and writes features. The New Jersey native has 30 years of road racing and cyclo-cross experience, starting in the early 1980s as a Junior in the days of toe clips and leather hairnets. Over the years he's had the good fortune to race throughout the United States and has competed in national championships for both road and 'cross in the Junior and Masters categories. The passion for cycling started young, as before he switched to the road Peter's mission in life was catching big air on his BMX bike.