With the likes of Lance Armstrong and Mark Cavendish already having withdrawn from the race, a good time trial on Saturday left the Australian needing to finish on the same time as David Zabriskie and Levi Leipheimer in order to win.
George Hincapie, who now rides for BMC did most of the work but was beaten in the sprint for the line in Agoura Hills by Garmin's Ryder Hesjedal. The group containing Michael Rogers, who had his hand raised in celebration as he crossed the line, came in 29 seconds later.
Hincapie (Picture copyright of Covsupport News Service. Credit CNS/KM
"It was a really tough race," said Rogers. "I knew the last stage of this race wasn't going to be a walk in the park, but I didn't realize it would be that tough. It was obvious early on that Garmin and Radio Shack were going to attack on the fourth lap so we were ready for it. They really stuck it to us and I'm really happy that we could hold on. It was a really tough course.
"This is a very big day for us," said Rogers to his press office after the race. "With HTC-Columbia being an American Team based in California, this race is second only to the Tour de France in importance.
"I'm really happy that I could rely so much on my team this week. It's amazing what a team can do together when they have the yellow jersey. They really stepped up to the occasion to win this race.
"I made a lot of changes this year with my training and my approach to cycling and winning this Tour is really a very satisfying step for me."
In today's Giro d'Italia, Liquigas' Ivan Basso won the stage beating Cadel Evans. David Arrayo has the leaders pink jersey.