Mark Cavendish has to settle for third place
Tuesday 19 May 2015 13:49, UK
Peter Sagan sprinted to victory on stage four of the Tour of California as Mark Cavendish had to settle for third place.
The 173.1km stage had looked set to finish in a traditional bunch finish at Avila Beach after Cavendish’s Etixx – Quick-Step team had led the peloton into the final 1km, but Daniel Oss (BMC Racing) then launched a solo attack and a frantic chase ensued.
Cavendish had to abandon his lead-out train in order to follow those who had set off in pursuit of Oss, but he was too far back to deny Sagan (Tinkoff-Saxo), who won with a searing burst on the uphill drag to the line.
Wouter Wippert (Drapac Professional Cycling) took second, while Oss finished eighth after being caught in the last 100m.
Latvia’s Toms Skujins (Hincapie Racing Team) finished in the peloton to retain his overall lead of the race, but his advantage over second-placed Sagan at the top of the general classification has been cut to 22 seconds after the Slovak claimed 10 bonus seconds for his win.
It was Sagan’s second victory of the season and record-extending 12th at the Tour of California.
The eight-day race continues on Thursday with a 154km rolling fifth stage from Santa Barbara to Santa Clarita.
Stage four result
1 Peter Sagan (Svk) Tinkoff-Saxo, 4:06:56
2 Wouter Wippert (Ned) Drapac Professional Cycling, same time
3 Mark Cavendish (GB) Etixx – Quick-Step, st
General classification
1 Toms Skujins (Lat) Hincapie Racing Team, 18:10:57
2 Peter Sagan (Svk) Tinkoff-Saxo, +22secs
3 Rob Britton (Can) Team Smartstop, +43
