Pollack wins Stage 6

The 32-year-old Pollack emerged from the pack to claim the 144-km (89.5-mile) Santa Barbara-to-Thousand Oaks sixth stage by more than a bike length in a time of three hours, 26 minutes and 39 seconds.

With the victory, the T-Mobile ride became the first European to take a stage in a race dominated by Americans.

Riccardo Ricco of Italy finished second in the stage and American Fred Rodriguez was third.

Crossing the line in 39th place, Landis finished in the main bunch for the third consecutive day but was able to maintain his 29-second lead over the field with only the relatively flat 123-km Redondo Beach circuit race remaining.

Landis took over the race lead with a dominant individual time trial win in San Jose on Wednesday and should be able to hold off his compatriots David Zabriskie and Bobby Julich (34 seconds behind) to claim victory.

"There's one day left and it doesn't look too eventful," Landis told reporters.

Pollack, a 10-year veteran who won a gold medal in the tam pursuit at the 2004 Athens Olympics, was delighted with his stage win.

"The final 2,000 metres were very difficult," he said.

"It was up and down and all the top sprinters were there. But what can I say? I am here and I won."