Sagan takes his second win on stage 4 at the Laguna Seca Raceway

Sagan took his second bunch sprint after numerous attacks on the final category 3 climb to the Raceway.

Stage 4 started in Morro Bay with the majestic Morro Rock in the background and traveled through the heart of the city before heading north on California's most famous coastline. The 133.6-mile route, the longest stage of the race, proceeded up Highway 1 past the charming beach coastal town of Cayucos, which offers a quaint downtown, a pier, miles of sandy beaches and dramatic views of the Pacific Ocean.

A breakaway of 7 riders formed early on containing Gregory Daniel (Axeon Hagens Berman Cycling Team), Timo Rosen (Lotto NL Jumbo), Michael Morcov (Katusha), Tanner Putt (United Healthcare), Ryan Anderson (Direct Energie), William Routley (Rally Cycling) and Mark Cavendish (Tem Dimension Data).

They quickly built up a lead of over 3 minutes. 

At the first KOM, William Routley (Rally Cycling), Ryan Anderson (Direct Energie) and Timo Rosen (Lotto NL Jumbo), got first second and third respectively.

With 50 km to go the leadets had over 5 minutes, the bunch really not interested in reigning in the breakaway.

Team Tinkoff were on the front and Etixx Quickstep joined them to chase.

The gap started to come down 2m 35s with 30 km to go. 

Mark Cavendish awarded the most courageous jersey for his break away efforts.

20km left and the break was doen to 2 minutes and they hit the last climb big climb before descending down to Laguna Seca.

On the penultimate climb of the category 2 Laureles Grade Summit, the gap was down to 1 minute and the peleton started to split with only 30 riders left.

Mark Cavendish started to be dropped as Gregory Daniel attacked the breakway to solo ahead.

Several minor attacks swallowed up the reminents of the breakaway apart from Daniel who descended down towards the last climb.

The final climb is cat 3 but it's at 16% gradient.

With 2kms to Allaphillipe attacked but Sagan followed. Attack by Stetina was brought back by BMC.

With 200 meters to go Sagan weaved his way to the front to take the final sprint.

 

Amgen Tour of California 2016, stage four: Morro Bay to Monterey County, 215km

1. Peter Sagan (Svk) Tinkoff
2. Greg Van Avermaet (Bel) BMC Racing
3. Nathan Haas (Aus) Dimension Data
4. Brent Bookwalter (USA) BMC Racing
5. Tao Geoghegan Hart (GBr) Axeon Hagens Berman
6. Neilson Powless (USA) Axeon Hagens Berman
7. Rohan Dennis (Aus) BMC Racing
8. Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Katusha
9. Rob Brotton (Can) Rally Cycling
10. Julian Alaphilippe (Fra) Etixx-QuickStep

General classification after stage four

1. Julian Alaphilippe (Fra) Etixx-QuickStep

 
Tag: tourofcalifornia
 
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