Reigning world champion and UCI’s top-ranked rider Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) won Stage 1 of the Amgen Tour of California with a come-from-behind sprint down Quivira Way to nip second place finisher Wouter Wippert (Cannondale Pro Cycling Team) and Dylan Groenewegen (Team Lotto NL – Jumbo) at the finish in Mission Bay. Sagan also earned the Visit California Sprint Jersey. Stage 1 kicked off the 11th annual eight-day stage race, which features some of the most accomplished riders in the sport competing across 782 miles before concluding in Sacramento on May 22.
“I’m very happy to be here again, to catch a first victory here, in the first stage. Thank you to all my teammates. Today was a good day,” said Sagan of his 14th Amgen Tour of California career victory (the race’s all-time record holder for stage wins). “I came here the first time in 2010… it was a very nice race, very good organization, very nice hotels, food… Also, the level of the race is very good, and it’s also very good for preparation because it’s good weather. Now it’s the Giro and Tour of California. And I prefer to come here to train and prepare. And also I like California for the fans, and I’ve won a lot of stages here, and I’m very happy always to return here.”
The picturesque 108-mile ride began with a breakaway group of seven riders who sprang out to take a 4-plus minute lead over the peloton, which they held for much of the stage. Team Katusha rode at the front of the peloton for much of the stage, with Team Sky, Tinkoff and BMC Racing Team lending a hand to chase down the leaders in the final miles. For his part in the breakaway, Jacob Rathe (USA) of San Diego-based Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis, the 24 year-old rider who is coming back from artery surgery last season, was awarded the Amgen Breakaway from Cancer Most Courageous Rider Jersey.
With about two miles left in the stage, Team Lotto NL – Jumbo leapt to the front of the pack with Tinkoff jockeying for position to bring Sagan to the front. The last mile and a half saw a chaotic peloton fighting for control, with Lotto NL – Jumbo seeming to take over but Tinkoff still in the mix.
Etixx – Quick-Step Pro Cycling Team’s Tom Boonen (BEL) made a move toward the final meters, which did not prove strong enough for the win, turning in an eighth place finish. Nothing could hold back the explosive world champion, with Sagan claiming the coveted Amgen Race Leader Jersey as well as the prize for Sprint points.
“The fans are very nice. Every year it’s more and more fans for me, and I’m very happy for that,” said Sagan, who spoke of his love for California in the days leading to the race. The fans loved him right back, erupting into roars when he catapulted over the finish first by the length of his handlebars.
American rider Oscar Clark (USA) of Holowesko | Citadel Racing Team p/b Hincapie Sportswear will ride tomorrow in the Lexus King of the Mountain (KOM) jersey, which he earned in the one KOM climb today during his time in the breakaway. Speaking of the level of competition at the Amgen Tour of California, Clark said: “It’s great for us. It’s the biggest race we do all year, so to have the world champion and past world champions, and all the big name riders, it’s awesome for what we do.” Alexander Kristoff’s (NOR) Team Katusha rode hard for him all day with the famed sprinter getting swallowed by the other teams and coming in 16th for the day. Stage 1 Podium
1. Peter Sagan (SVK), Tinkoff (RUS) 2. Wouter Wippert (NED), Cannondale Pro Cycling Team (USA) 3. Dylan Groenewegen (NED), Team Lotto NL – Jumbo (NED) Stage 1 Jersey Winners
1. Amgen Leader Jersey – Peter Sagan (SVK), Tinkoff (RUS) 2. Lexus King of the Mountain (KOM) Jersey – Oscar Clark (USA), Holowesko | Citadel Racing Team p/b Hincapie Sportswear (USA) 3. Visit California Sprint Jersey – Peter Sagan (SVK), Tinkoff (RUS) (jersey will be worn tomorrow by Wouter Wippert (NED), Cannondale Pro Cycling Team (USA) 4. SRAM Best Young Rider Jersey – Dylan Groenewegen (NED), Team Lotto NL – Jumbo (NED) 5. Breakaway from Cancer Most Courageous Rider Jersey – Jacob Rathe (USA), Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis (USA) Celebrating its 11th year, the Amgen Tour of California is the most esteemed stage race in the U.S. Amgen has been the title sponsor of the race since its first year. More information is available at amgentourofcalifornia.com.