Mark Cavendish recorded his 10th win of the season as he took the opening stage of the Tour of California in Sacramento on Sunday evening.
The Manxman's Etixx-QuickStep team-mates controlled the front of the peloton to allow Mark Renshaw to give Cavendish the perfect lead-out in the final stretch of the 203.1km stage which started and finished in the state capital.
Cavendish edged out Tinkoff-Saxo's Peter Sagan and Jean-Pierre Drucker of BMC Racing for his sixth Tour of California stage win and the first leader's jersey of this edition.
However, there was also a major withdrawal as American Andrew Talansky (Cannondale-Garmin), who was looking to get into shape for the Tour de France, pulled out with what the team said was a combination of respiratory problems and allergies.
Once a four-man breakaway had been swept up, Etixx-QuickStep, Tinkoff-Saxo, MTN-Qhubeka and BMC battled at the front of the peloton for control.
Cavendish's team moved to the front inside the final five kilometres and held position under pressure from their rivals. With Renshaw his guide, Cavendish was able to jump off his wheel and win with relative ease.
Monday's stage is on more rolling terrain as the riders tackle 193.7km from Nevada to Lodi.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article