The first stage of the Amgen Tour of California was marked by a long breakaway of four riders which included Maarten Tjallingii (Rabobank), Chad Beyer (BMC), Marc De Maar (United Healthcare) and Paul Mach (Bissell). The four were caight with several kilometres to go. In the finale there were several crashes with one in the final kilometer that took down Tom Boonen and Stuart O’Grady amongst others. On the last lap, Team Saxo Bank made their train to get JJ Haedo to the front regions of the peloton. With Voigt, O'Grady and Cancellara in front of him this must be a success. In the final kilometer the sprinters where dropped of in position. Mark Cavendish claimed the opening stage, being delivered to the line in an armchair ride from HTC-Columbia team-mate Mark Renshaw. Cavendish bested Saxo Bank's Juan Jose Haedo and BMC's Norwegian Alexander Kristoff in downtown Sacramento after 167.8km of racing.

Andy was in good shape. He finished in the peloton in 71th place.