World champion Peter Sagan has won the opening stage of the Tour of California to once more earn the overall leader's jersey, which he kept to the finish last year.
The Slovakian superstar did not stand out very much during the Sunday race. But, he unleashed a powerful sprint at the last possible moment to win his record-extending 14th stage by a half-tyre length. The 175.4 km route, which included only one serious climb, began on the San Diego waterfront and finished in the city after a frantic sprint near the Pacific Coast.
"Today was a good day; it was a little bit hard stage," Sagan said in the post-race press conference. "After 50-60 kilometers it was one long climb then descent, it was a little bit windy, but the temperature was good, cloudy but a little bit of sun, but not very hot. I am very happy to win today."